Ptarmigan Ridge starts fall

Baker at the start of the hike

Fourteen Senior Trailblazers headed up to Artist Point to begin a hike on Ptarmigan Ridge. Since this was more than the twelve allowed in a single group in the wilderness, we split into two groups: one group of six which would hike much faster than the other group of eight. I was in the slower group, which suited me just fine. We could see the others for most of the early part of the day, which was glorious! Cool and clear, with a few clouds and a light breeze.

Time for a short break

This picture shows the slower group as we stopped for a short break before continuing on. By this time we were on Ptarmigan Ridge itself, after having hiked from Artist Point to the turnoff (one way goes to Chain Lakes, the other to Ptarmigan Ridge). We had run into a little ice on the parts of the trail that were in shade, but otherwise the trail was clear.

Fall colors making an appearance

The trail was lovely, and there were even a few blueberries left, although most of them are past their prime eating date.  I still enjoyed them, however. Once we stopped for lunch, the fast group (which had already stopped and eaten) sauntered by on their way to the East Portal, the farthest you can go on the trail before being stopped by Mt. Baker itself. I decided to follow them, and we ended up breaking into three groups.

Magnificent Mt. Shuksan

Clouds began to build, and sometimes they were even a little dark and gloomy, but we never saw much coming out of the sky. You can see that there is new snow on Mt. Shuksan. We began to ascend into fresh snow as we climbed higher, and I begged for a quick stop to take a picture. This was all I got before everyone took off again.

8-10 inches of new snowfall

I was never so happy to have my trekking poles than I was on this part of the hike. The trail was actually just tracks in the snow where previous hikers had gone, and parts were very steep and treacherous. The poles made it possible to continue. Not long after this picture was taken, only four people continued on, and Jonelle, Peggy and I turned around to head back down.

Jonelle and Peggy, with Shuksan peeking out from the clouds

We had agreed that wherever we were at 1:45pm, we would turn around and head back down to join the others. The three of us decided to separate from the intrepid four who would make it all the way to the East Portal before that time. We were tired and ready to head back. We had traveled more than five miles and still had the return to consider, making it more than ten miles. My knees feel it as I write this post.

Me, Jonelle, and lots of snow

Once we all got back together in the parking lot, Amy pulled out her birthday cupcakes in order to celebrate the birthdays of Diane and Steve. Amy is our "social secretary" and never misses a birthday. Although we were tired,  we had no problem eating the cupcakes and singing happy birthday to our dear friends.

Udo, Diane, Steve, and Rita

Some people went eight miles, some a bit over that (I was in that group), and some made eleven miles by the time this picture was taken. Diane and Steve, the birthday celebrants, both made it the whole way! If it had not been so steep and snowy, I like to think I would have done it, too. But the way I feel right now makes me think I stopped just in time. It was a great day, and a wonderful beginning to the new season.
:-)