Ptarmigan Ridge and Beyond Hike in the North Cascades

We choose a fabulous hike for the last weekend of summer: Ptarmigan Ridge located at the end of the Mt Baker Highway at Artist Point. Many guides list this hike as 4 miles out to Coleman Pinnacle, however on high snow melt years (like this summer) the trail continues out onto the Portals on Mt Baker for an 11 mile round trip hike with about 1800 ft elevation gain in and about 700 ft gain out.

The trail begins on the west end of Artist Point and begins along the Chain Lakes Trail heading west toward Mt Baker and into the Mt Baker Wilderness.

Along this portion of the trail the view extends from Mt Shuksan to the east and Mt Baker to the west:

 1.2 miles along the trail divides, Chain Lakes to the right and Ptarmigan Ridge to the left. The panoramic views continue:

 Here the trail descends into a rocky basin for 200 ft, then regains the elevation on to Ptarmigan Ridge and through some high meadows. Here, looking back along the trail toward Mt Shuksan:

There is a fabulous view point about 3 miles along the trail. To the west: Mt Baker and Coleman Pinnacle, then turning to the east:

 Mt Shuksan










 We continued along the trail crossing one snow field on the way to Coleman Pinnacle.

Panorama view standing where the trail goes around Coleman Pinnacle:

 About 4 miles out from the trailhead, the trail goes around Coleman Pinnacle. You can choose to hike down to a pair of turquoise tarns, scramble up Coleman Pinnacle or continue towards Mt Baker.
 Looking back along the trail as we go around Coleman Pinnacle.

 The trail becomes narrow and rocky as it nears Mt Baker. The large black block looking rocky prominence is The Portals East where our trail will end. The path goes up the east end of Portals east, by passing the large steep snow field on the north side.

 It is a steep rocky path up The Portals East, going higher than the low end of Rainbow Glacier.
Here looking back toward Coleman Pinnacle (Mt Shuksan is on the far right).

 One last snow field to cross near the top of The Portal East.

On top of The Portal East! Great spot to eat lunch and enjoy the views.

Mt Baker looking into Rainbow Glacier.

On the right side The Portals West and The Portals South can be seen.

Panorama view: Mt Shuksan to the east, Cascade Range to the south (we could see Glacier Mountain and Mount Rainier in the distance) and Mt Baker to the west.

 Panorama view: Mt Baker to the west, Cascade Range to the north (looking into Canada) and Mt Shuksan to the east.

 Looking into the crevices on Rainbow Glacier:

 zoom photo of Glacier Mountian

 Hawk flying overhead as we hiked back.














The trail back was heading back toward Mt Shuksan with the sun at our backs.

We did find wildflowers along this hike on the last day of summer: