Ptarmigan Traverse

Suggested Itinerary

Peaks that may be climbed along the way include Mix-up Peak, Magic Mountain, "Hurry-up" (S Mountain), Mount Formidable, Spider Mountain, Le Conte Mountain, Sentinel Peak, Old Guard, The Lizard, German Helmet, Spire Point, Gunsight Peak, Dome Peak and Sinister Peak.

Most parties do the Ptarmigan Traverse in 5-7 days but you may do it in fewer or more days depending on your party's fitness and desires. Here's a sample seven day itinerary:

• Day 1 - Cascade Pass to Kool Aid Lakes
• Day 2 - Kool Aid Lakes to Yang Yang Lakes
• Day 3 -Yang Yang Lakes to White Rock Lakes
• Day 4 -White Rock Lakes to Itswoot Ridge or Cub Lake
• Day 5 - Dome Peak
• Day 6 - Itswoot Ridge or Cub Lake to Downy Creek or continue to cars
• Day 7 - Downey Creek to cars via Suiattle River Road

information for leaders

Courses, paid clinics, staff-led programs, and course field trips require a Commercial Use Authorization. The Park typically accepts applications for 2-year CUAs  through mid-March each year, and CUA's are activity-specific. Please contact info@mountaineers.org if you would like to apply for a CUA for a field trip or paid clinic for an activity we do not already have a CUA for. Please follow all Mountaineers group guidelines when leading trips or courses in North Cascades National Park. 

Notes:

• Leaders are responsible for securing backcountry permits or other required permits even if  we have a CUA.
• Leaders must have all relevant CUAs with them in paper or electronic copy to show Parks Staff as requested. 
• All Hiking course field trips or paid clinics must have a First aid and CPR certified leader. Current (non-expired) certificates must be uploaded to the park web portal by Mountaineers staff prior to the trip
• All mountaineering field trips or paid clinics must have a WFR-certified leader and a leader with documented climbing certifications (an AMGA certification OR Mountaineers climb leader with a recent resume of training and experience). Both qualifications must be uploaded to the park web portal by Mountaineers staff prior to the trip

View list of current North Cascades CUAs

• Suitable Activities: Climbing
• Climbing Category: Intermediate Alpine
• Seasons: June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Intermediate Mountaineering Climb
• Length: 35.0 mi
• High Point: 8,920 ft

• Land Manager: North Cascades National Park
  Glacier Peak Wilderness, Entiat Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12