Interpretive Hike: Ptarmigan Lakes
10/15/2022
| 07:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
| Registration Required
Special Events - All Ages
See linked document for full description of this hike. Hike Overview: The Ptarmigan Lake Trail immediately crosses roaring Cottonwood Creek via an excellent bridge and begins the climb to the glacial cirque above treeline that contains Ptarmigan Lake in its upper bowl. The climb is steady with no really steep pitches all the way to the Lower Bowl of the cirque except that the incline increases some just before reaching the Lower Bowl (after a climb of 1050’ in 2.5 miles). Shortly after the Cottonwood Creek crossing, we cross a couple of talus slopes on the excellent trail. The Lower Bowl is an excellent place to stop and explore the lower lakes if you do not want to do a longer hike. We are just below treeline at this point. The trail on up to Ptarmigan Lake is a steeper (but not bad) short trek (0.8 mile) mostly above treeline to the Upper Bowl and Ptarmigan Lake. Ptarmigan Lake is large for a glacial tarn and the views to the north are magnificent (Yale, Harvard, etc.). For those who wish, the length of the lake can be walked and there is a low pass just beyond the lake.
Maximum Participants: 10Registration is required for this activity. Click "register" to reserve your spot.
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