Thursday, October 4, 2012

Ptarmigan Ridge

Today ten Senior Trailblazers drove in three separate cars to Artist Point to begin our trip to Ptarmigan Ridge. In the picture above, you can see that we had magnificent views of Mt. Shukan today, as well as abundant sunshine on this hike that offers no shade whatsoever for the entire time we were out on the ridge. In the picture above, we had already hiked more than three miles and were just about to begin to follow the ridge to Camp Kiser, five miles from the parking lot and right to the base of Mt. Baker. I knew at the outset that I wouldn't be making the entire trip, since a few of us needed to get back earlier. We decided that three of us we would turn around after lunch at 1:00pm and head back to our car, while the others would go on.
The views were spectacular, and the fall colors blended with the skyline and snowfields left over from last spring. We were surprised to find this trail as free of snow as it was, but we still had to cross several snowfields that were hard as concrete. Last night must have been a really hard freeze up here, because our hiking poles didn't even make a dent in them. Some were pretty scary, but we knew that when we returned the sun would have softened them a bit.
As we followed Al up this snowfield, I thought it looked like we would be walking off the edge of the earth. But of course we didn't, and as we rounded this corner, we saw the final destination of our hike today. That's Ptarmigan Pinnacle on the right and Mt. Baker on the left. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see the faint trail that would take my fellow hikers to their destination.
We made it to a grove of trees that sheltered us from the cold wind and had a brief lunch, before Norm, Liz, and I turned around to head back. The other seven went the other way, and as we made our way back we met dozens of people heading up. It was such a beautiful day that I'm sure there were plenty of people with indoor jobs that simply blew them off and headed up to the High Country. The other seven ended up hiking more than ten miles round trip, but the three of us went somewhere around nine miles. I found this description of the entire hike here.
Just a few minutes before the three of us reached the parking lot, I looked back to take a last look (for today) at Mt. Baker shining in the distance, with the fall colors and our trail on the right. It was a simply wonderful day in the wilderness with my friends, and there was just one other great experience that I had to share: on the drive up to Artist Point, the three of us in Norm's car saw a mountain lion cross the road in front of us! It was huge, obviously a male, a magnificent cat that covered half the road before disappearing in the trees. We could not believe what we had just seen, but each of us agreed that it was a big cougar no more than a few car-lengths away from us. What a treat! And with that last thought, I leave you as I go to pack for tomorrow's adventure to Vashon Island!
:-)

24 comments:

  1. You had an awesome day.
    All the time I've hiked in the mountains I've never seen a cougar. You're a lucky girl! I've never seen a lynx either. I have a feeling that they've seen me.
    Fall days like this are fantastic in the mountains.

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  2. Good thing you didn't encounter that cougar OUTSIDE the car. Lol. Very nice hike all in all. Bet you're looking forward to tomorrow.

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  3. Sounds like it was a great day but don't let that big cat get too close to you.

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  5. wow it looks like an absolutely gorgeous day....it does look like you are about to step off the earth...smiles...but what a cool peek as well....eep on the cat thoguh...

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  6. Oh, what a wonderful day! The cougar sighting is amazing!
    I am reading "Wild' and so I thought of you all on those snow fields, hoping you wouldn't slide off the mountain. Fortunately you are all better prepared than Cheryl Strayed was.

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  7. A mountain lion! What a powerful omen for such a gorgeous day. As always, the photos are beautiful.

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  8. those colors are just amazing. the ice/snow area looked very slick, though.

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  9. the mountain lion would have been so awesome!

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  10. Now why was I thinking that your hiking was done for the year? Regardless, I'm glad you've gotten another beautiful one in before it gets too cold.

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  11. Like Rubye Jack, I thought your hiking was finished for the year. But no; you're still at it. And you saw a delightful little kitten while you were traveling around on what appears to have been a wonderful day!

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  12. What an incredible day with a big cat to finish on. Wow.
    Have a wonderful time at Vashon Island.

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  13. Once again, some striking views and wonderful mountain scenes...you shared those beautiful wildflowers with a snowy backdrop...awesome. But, I must say, it's a good thing you were in the CAR when you encountered that kitty cat!!! I would've been pooping my britches if he came upon me on a HIKING trail.

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  14. Wouldn't it be great if photos could have scents and sounds attached to them? I'd love to smell that air, and hear the wind there.

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  15. Beautiful photographs, wonderful expedition, fabulous views. I am greeting

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  16. WOW, DJan, another great post filled with yet more stunning photos. I find that hike across the snow kinda scary - what kind of boots are you wearing so you do not slip. That is what I would be thinking. Mountain Lion outside the car - that's where I would want him to be. Glad you didn't run into him on the path. I probably would have peed me drawyers - have fun on tomorrow's adventure :)

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  17. What magnificent views you have for us today DJan, each of your photos is gorgeous. I was wondering how cold it would be for you yesterday, our temps are dipped into the mid thirties last night.

    Seeing the mountain lion would have been exciting. I just saw a note from one of the people who hopefully will be bringing cats in for our event tomorrow. A mountain lion killed a deer in her driveway. She is trying to find her cats, if she does she will bring them in and give them to the shelter for adoption. They will be safer that way.

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  18. That was a very special day then. Phew, what a treat, but thank goodness you were protected from that lion.

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  19. The things that you see...so beautiful. We are so lucky that you share them here on your blog. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking with you!

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  20. Beautiful, beautiful view! And to see a big cougar crossing the road--OMG! What a day!! You do lead the life, woman! :)

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  21. Dear DJan, oh, to see a mountain lion/cougar that close up. The mystery of him. The majesty.

    Thank you for linking us to the info on Ptarmigan Peak.
    At the very beginning of your posting I had begun to wonder why the peak was given that name and the link explained: "Carefully inspect the wind-blasted, frost-burned ridge for its namesake, ptarmigans-chickenlike birds that live in the alpine tundra."

    DJan, have you ever posted any information about how you learned about this hiking group to which you belong and with which you have such marvelous and breathtaking days? I'd so love to read how you "hooked up" with them. Peace.

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  22. It all looks so beautiful. I can almost feel like I'm taking a breath of that fresh air. I wish you could have seen some of those ptarmigans. I think we saw some in Alaska.

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  23. Fantastic pictures, I feel inspired :0)

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