Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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38.77330°N / 106.394°W |
Route Type:
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Mountaineering |
Season:
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Summer |
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Time Required:
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Most of a day |
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Difficulty:
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walk up |
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Getting There
Directions to Ptarmigan Lake Trailhead:From the intersection of Cottonwood Pass Road (FR 306) and Route 24 (the traffic light in the town of Buena Vista), drive the cottonwood Pass Rd 14.6 miles west to the well-signed Ptarmigan Lake Trailhead (Cottonwood Pass Rd is a paved road that is closed during snow season).
Route Description
All distance are per my GPSPlace………….…..Elevation (ft)………..Distance (miles)
Trailhead………….10660………………..zero
Ptarmigan
Lake……………….12132………………..3.0 (sign at TH says 3.3)
Saddle……………..12260
Jones……………….13218……………….0.8
Total………………………………………..3.8 miles
From the trailhead, cross the footbridge over the Middle Cottonwood Creek and follow the trail in a pine forest. The trail at first heads east but then turns south and enters the Ptarmigan Creek drainage. After about 1.3 miles, the trail crosses a Jeep Road.
Pine Forest
At an elevation of 11700 ft, the trail enters a basin that houses many lakes. The forest becomes sparse and Jones Mountain appears to the southwest. Follow the trail by the many lakes up the basin to reach Ptarmigan Lake.
Jones & Ptarmigan Lake
The trail continues on the east side of Ptarmigan Lake to reach a 12260 ft Saddle. Leave the trail at the saddle and hike up grassy slopes to the summit.
Summit from Saddle