Coleman Pinnacle, Ptarmigan Ridge — Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

Coleman Pinnacle via Ptarmigan Ridge — A Return with Redemption.
Another epic outing with Steve and Norm. After our successful scramble up Mount Pugh, our confidence was high, so we set our sights on Ptarmigan Ridge and Coleman Pinnacle. I had summited the Pinnacle four years earlier, while Steve had waited below the summit block. This time, he was ready to tag the top.
We left Everett early, taking just over three hours to reach Artist Point — including a scenic stop at Picture Lake to photograph Mount Shuksan’s reflection in the morning light. We hit the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail at 9:45 AM and made steady progress toward Coleman Pinnacle.
At around 6000 feet, we reached a broad viewpoint southwest of the Pinnacle and left the trail, following a faint boot path through loose dirt and rock. This led us to the ridge and the southwest approach. We stashed our poles and scrambled through rocks and scrub trees, reaching the summit just under four hours from the trailhead. A quick snack and hazy views (smoke lingered to the southeast) capped the climb.
On the descent, Steve mentioned Camp Kiser — a spot he’d visited years ago with stunning views of Mount Baker. Since he’d gone along with my plan to summit the Pinnacle, I agreed to the extra, unplanned miles. About an hour later, we arrived at Camp Kiser and were rewarded with a dramatic, close-up view of Baker’s northeast face and its sprawling glaciers.
We left Camp Kiser around 3:30 PM and returned to Artist Point three hours later, tired but satisfied.
Trail Notes:
• Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is mostly treeless and brushless, easy to follow except where alternate paths skirt late-season snow patches.
• The trail stays above 5000’, where ripe blueberries are abundant and delicious.
• Water sources are limited beyond the Chain Lakes cutoff — streams are only found near the trailhead. Carry several liters if heading deeper.

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/nabuckley/albums/72177720329254113