Ptarmigan Ridge
North Cascades
As of February 16, 2026, current conditions for Ptarmigan Ridge are unknown due to no recent reports. However, trip reports from mid-September 2025 provide valuable insights.
In late September 2025, the Artist Point parking lot was busy, with reports of cars circling for spots by midday on a Tuesday. Trails were generally in good condition, with minimal obstacles, though one report mentioned a downed tree requiring careful navigation and areas with water crossing the trail. Blueberries and huckleberries were abundant along the trail in mid-September 2025. One report on September 23, 2025, noted a small, icy snow patch that quickly became easy to cross in the sun. Air quality was generally good, with one report mentioning initial clarity followed by increasing haze later in the day, but clear views of Mount Baker. Drones are prohibited.
generated from 48 reports
Sources
I left the Artist Point parking lot at 3:10am for a starlight hike and to see a sunrise at the East Portal. At that time, there was no local smoke apparent. There was a darkened horizon looming to the...
Leave your drone at home! Reminder that they are prohibited in federal wilderness, including here.
I absolutely love The Mount Baker Wilderness.This is my annual North Cascades/Artist Point adventure where I get to spend the entire day hiking around Mt Baker.I arrived at Artist Point at 0930am to a...
Absolutely my favorite hike this year! Our group of Mountaineers met at 8am and hit the trail to the viewpoint at the 3 mile mark of the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. Stunning views in every direction! Despi...
Got to the trailhead at 8am on Wednesday, only few cars at the parking lot. Hiked to Ptarmigan ridge and then to Icicle lake, clocked in 13.5 miles RT. Fall colors beginning to show, lots of blueberri...
I learned something important today, which likely everyone reading this already knows, but which I had never twigged: that the pleasant view at the foot of Coleman Pinnacle (overlooking Goat Lake) is,...
Toilet at the lot. Foggy until noon, then mostly cleared.This hike is long and the hardest bit is at the end, so it’s a full day with the long drive into Artist Point.That said, it’s an amazing hike a...
Today was both smoky and cloudy at Mt. Baker - quite a combination, providing for unique kind of haziness and visual effects.Parking lot at Artist Point still had a couple spots left at 10.30 am. I be...
As described, this is a beautiful and well-maintained trail with tremendous panoramic views. At 8:30 AM, the parking lot was about 25% full and I later learned that it never did completely fill up. Th...
This trail offers Variations on a theme; luckily it's a very nice theme on balance (in both senses of balance). When R. put out a notice to the High and Outside group, I eagerly signed up, and nine of...
Want to ask something specific about Ptarmigan Ridge?
Use AI-powered search to dig into trip reports for this trail.
Search Ptarmigan Ridge