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Ptarmigan Peak

Home » Mountains » Banff National Park
Published by vdewit on April 29th, 2009
Trip Details
Trip Activity: 
Scramble
Attained Summit?: 
Yes
Location: 
Banff National Park
Trip Date: 
September 5, 2005
Summit Elevation: 
3,059m
Summit Elevation (ft): 
10,035ft
Related Content
Interesting Facts: 
(info from peakfinder.com) Named by J.W.A. Hickson in 1909. Numerous ptarmigan were found in the meadows below the peak. Official name. First ascended in 1909 by J.W.A. Hickson, guided by Edward Feuz jr.. Journal reference App 19-233.  
Related Trips: 
Richardson, Mount
Pika Peak
Redoubt Mountain

Trip Report

Ptarmigan Peak was the second peak of the day for Jon and I on September 5th 2005. Earlier we had climbed Mount Richardson and now we found ourselves plodding up the scree slopes of Ptarmigan from Hidden Lake. We didn't see any of the mountain's namesake but we did see lots of bear sign on the lower, grassy slopes!

Ptarmigan is an easy scramble and other than a very short bit at the top it is a mere slog up scree slopes that don't seem to end quick enough! The fun occurs right at the top where you briefly have a bit of a ridge to contend with and some slight exposure - nothing to worry about.

As a note, if you're coming to Ptarmigan from Pika I think it is possible to cut up to Ptarmigan from the Pika side-slope before coming all the way down to the meadows. Consult your map and look carefully at the slopes before hand.

Redoubt from the ascent slopes of Ptarmigan.
Redoubt from the ascent slopes of Ptarmigan.
Looking up the ascent scree bash on Ptarmigan. (Jon Pic)
Looking up the ascent scree bash on Ptarmigan. (Jon Pic)
A view off the summit of Ptarmigan looking down at Zigadenus and Skoki Lakes. (Jon Pic)
A view off the summit of Ptarmigan looking down at Zigadenus and Skoki Lakes. (Jon Pic)
Summit number 2!
Summit number 2!
A panorama off the summit of Ptarmigan. Click to View Panorama.
Vern descending Ptarmigan (Jon Pic)
Vern descending Ptarmigan (Jon Pic)