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Ptarmigan Ridge Trail
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Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, with Mount Baker towering overhead.
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The Chain Lakes Loop Trailhead is where the hike begins and it's located just off the Artist Point parking lot to the west.
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Ptarmigan Ridge Trail
The Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is one of the premier hiking trails in the Mount Baker Area of Washington, offering outstanding mountain scenery from beginning to end. The trail begins at Artist Point, at the end of Mount Baker Highway, and initially follows the Chain Lakes Loop Trail before breaking off onto a high alpine route toward the massive slopes of Mount Baker.
As you hike farther along Ptarmigan Ridge, Mount Baker becomes the dominant feature directly ahead, and the higher in elevation you climb. The trail crosses rocky slopes, alpine meadows and areas that may hold snow well into the summer.
The hike to what we will call the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit" is approximately 4.5 miles one way from Artist Point. This broad rocky plateau sits at approximately 5,970 feet above sea level and marks the mapped end of the maintained Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. The entire hike to the summit and back is therefore about 9 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,800 vertical feet.
Two Completely Different Experiences in One Hike!
One of the things we really enjoy about the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is that the hike back to Artist Point feels like a completely different hike. On the way to the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit", your attention is primarily focused on Mount Baker and the rugged alpine terrain surrounding it. You'll know you've arrived because the trail basically stops at the end of the ridge.
Once you turn around, however, the scenery changes dramatically. Mount Baker is now behind you, and your view opens toward the spectacular peaks of the North Cascades, including Mount Shuksan, which rises within North Cascades National Park. This completely different perspective makes the return hike every bit as enjoyable as the hike in.
Because of these changing views, Ptarmigan Ridge is much more than simply an out-and-back trail. You get two distinctly different mountain experiences, with Mount Baker dominating the hike in and Mount Shuksan and the North Cascades dominating much of the hike back to Artist Point.
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The first section of Chain Lakes Loop Trail/Ptarmigan Ridge Trail provides outstanding views of Mount Baker.
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First section of the Chain Lakes Loop Trail/Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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First section of the Chain Lakes Loop Trail/Ptarmigan Ridge Trail especially beautiful in the morning, with the sun lighting up Mount Baker.
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Ptarmigan Ridge Trail Description
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- Trailhead: Chain Lakes Loop Trail at Artist Point parking lot
- Destination: Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit"
- Distance: 4.5 miles (9 miles round trip)
- Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
- Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit" Elevation: Approximately 5,970 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Scenery Going In: Outstanding views of Mount Baker and the surrounding alpine terrain
- Scenery Coming Back: Dramatically different views toward the North Cascades, including Mount Shuksan in North Cascades National Park
- Trail Character: High alpine terrain with rocky slopes, meadows and snowfields that may remain well into summer
- Best Feature: The return hike feels like a completely different experience because the dominant view changes from Mount Baker to Mount Shuksan and the rugged peaks of the North Cascades.
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Ptarmigan Ridge Trail Map. NOTE: This is not an accurate depiction of the exact trail location. It's just to give you a general idea of where the trail is located.
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Wildflowers along way to the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail junction.
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A view of Mount Baker along the Chain Lakes Loop Trail/Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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The Ptarmigan Ridge Trail Junction. Take a LEFT at this junction to begin your hike on the official Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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Shannon on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, just beyond the junction where the trail officially begins.
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Much of the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is located in the Mount Baker Wilderness Area.
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An incredible view along the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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One of the many snow fields we encountered along the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail in early August.
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Shannon heading for the Ptarmigan Ridge along the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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This photo shows the destination while hiking the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. The Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit" marks the end of the trail, and the view up there is remarkable.
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Shannon getting closer to her destination along the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. Mount Baker is getting more and more prominent.
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This meadow full of wildflowers was an unexpected surprise along the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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There are lush meadows found periodically along the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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Mount Baker gets bigger and bigger as you continue hiking on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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There was plenty of snowfields along the Ptarmigan Ridge. This photo shows our destination at the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit".
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You will likely encounter numerous snow fields as the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail gains elevation.
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Hikers on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. Mount Baker looms to the west.
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Shannon on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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Shannon standing on the Ptarmigan Ridge "summit", with Mount Baker in all of its glory.
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Shannon and I on the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit". It's easy to know you've arrived, as the trail simply stops.
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Another pic from the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit".
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Enjoying a snack on the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit", with Mount Baker dominating the view to the west. The trail abruptly ends here.
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This is a view to the east from the Ptarmigan Ridge "Summit." Those are peaks in North Cascades National Park.
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The hike back down is like a completely different hike!
As we've already discussed, one of the best parts of hiking the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is the completely different experience you get on the return trip to Artist Point. While hiking toward the end of the trail, Mount Baker dominates the scenery, rising directly ahead and providing the main focus for much of the hike.
Once you turn around and begin hiking back down the ridge, the entire view changes. Mount Baker is now behind you, and the rugged peaks of the North Cascades begin to dominate the horizon. Mount Shuksan, which lies within North Cascades National Park, becomes one of the most striking features in front of you, along with the surrounding mountain peaks.
Because of this dramatic change in scenery, the hike back does not feel like simply retracing your steps. It almost feels like you are hiking an entirely different trail, with a completely new set of mountain views all the way back to Artist Point.
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The mountains of the North Cascades National Park dominate the view as you hike back down Ptarmigan Ridge, making it a completely new experience!
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As you head back down, the views of the peaks in the North Cascades National Park are remarkable.
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Mount Shuksan of North Cascades National Park dominates the skyline to the east as you make your way back down the trail.
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"What goes up, must come down." All those snow fields you climbed up, you of course then must work your way down on the way back.
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The afternoon light is perfect for your hike back down the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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A meadow of wildflowers with the peaks of North Cascades National Park in the distance.
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The farther you make your way back down, the larger Mount Shuksan becomes.
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The hike back down the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is a completely different visual experience compared to the hike up.
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Getting closer to the trail junction, where you once again join the Chain Lakes Loop Trail to get back to the parking lot.
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Back at the Artist Point parking lot after a perfect day on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
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