North Cascades near Mt Shuksan
Mount Baker : Ptarmigan Ridge Ski Tour
Highpoint Elevation: ~ 6000 Feet
Region/Location: North Cascades
Trip Length: 1 Day
Route:
Ptarmigan Ridge Trail #682.1
Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 1900 Feet
Tour Distance: 8 Miles + Yo-Yo
Trailhead Elevation: 4100 Feet (Mt Baker Lodge)
Date: February 18, 2005
Photos by: Scott Harder

Riders: Scott Harder, Rob Robinson, Chris Henson
Table Mountain
Making our traverse past Table Mountain
South Slopes
Coleman Pinnacle and Baker
Fresh Pow
Nice tracks...
Chris after his first run
Ptarmigan Ridge ski area
Chris ponders the slope
All I can say is that it was the best day of skiing that I have had in 2 years. The snow was perfect, and the terrain out there is just a big playground for BC skiers. We saw Gary Brill and about 10 others doing the same thing. There was so much untracked powder after it sat around since the weekend before, so mainly wind blown pow. Hit some great 40 degree slopes just west of artist point on the traverse towards Coleman Pinnacle. Didn't make it to Coleman Pinnacle because we wanted the fresh tracks below our high traverse on the ridge.

Directions: Take I-5 to Bellingham. Take Exit 255, the Mt. Baker Highway. Drive East on SR-542 approximately 54 miles to the ski area.

Maps:
USGS: Shuksan Arm
Green Trails: Mt. Shuksan #14

Web Links:
"Ptarmigan Powder" Movie
Mt-Baker Snoqaulmie Nat'l Forest
Turns-All Year Photo Gallery
Sverdina.com "Coleman Pinnacle" Movie


Permits:
Just a lift ticket if you wanna stay in bounds....