Word has it that there is more snow than normal for this time of year. Many snow fields (easy hiking) getting to the last knoll, about mile 4 before Coleman Pinnacle. The steeper snow banks form the trail head to mile 4 are passable - but I wouldn't be excited about crossing a few of them without boots and hiking poles. I had my axe - didn't use it. I wondered if I had my crampons if I could have continued up to the pinnacle? This was my first time up Ptarmigan so I wasn't prepared to be adventurous, unfortunately I didn't see anybody else do it so I could scope out a route.
Lots of water - bugs were minimal and the snow is easily passable with boots and poles. The foliage scarce, between the flower and fall seasons, so it was all about the mountain. There was a herd of Goats around, they were down in the valley/gullies when I passed through - they left a gadzillion terds in the snow along the trail in one spot -- proof that they were within petting distance earlier in the day. someone said they number about 15 with 3 or 4 youngin's.
Right now is the perfect time to do Ptarmigan until the snow starts.
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