Ptarmigan Ridge — Friday, Aug. 14, 1998

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Not much snow left on the trail. Harldy any for the first 3 miles but enough in the vicinity to provide ample drinking water along the trail. Beyond the 3 mile point, there are 3 sizable snow fields to cross. All but the last are fairly easy (snow still soft, not very steep) so one doesn't really need an ice ax. The last one - beyond Coleman Pinnacle just before Camp Kiser - is steep but can be circumvented on the scree. No bugs the day I hiked there but it was cold and foggy. Have to return for the views someday. There are places where the trail is hard to follow through the scree so be careful if the visibility is poor.