This trip is a combination of drive-in and backcountry camping. The trip begins with a trip over Easy Pass. It was a little tedious. A few miles of soft trail brings runners to the junction with the Copper Ridge trail.
The Ptarmigan Traverse is perhaps unique in Washington: a week-long, off-trail high route weaving between the glaciated peaks of the North Cascades, never straying far from the crest. The first 3 miles of trail and steady climbing brings one to Easy Pass and big vistas of glaciated peaks and the sweeping Fisher Basin. The North Cascades are considered the most rugged mountain range in the contiguous United States. This is because all the glaciers are on the north sides of ridges and peaks, so going from north to south allows one to get a full view of the glaciers to be crossed and plan a route twixt the crevasses, while one would be descending all the glaciers if going from south to north, thus unable to see many crevasses till too close to plan an efficient continuous route twixt them. Crossed through some North Cascades high country, climbing peaks along the way. Waking up in the backcountry an absolutely spectacular day of running awaits. A crude reckoning of these paths can be counted in miles and days, but their true measure lies within a much more nuanced experience that is discovered through struggle, feeling, and connection. These runnable trails continue to the shores of Diablo Lake and our Colonial Creek Basecamp. Waiting at camp will be each runners personal gear and plenty of hot food, showers, and drinks. Some of us try to keep a modern version of it alive through our imagination, creating new forms of adventure on paths previously travelled.” Sharp rocky spires serrate wide swaths of permanent snow fields. For topographical route information, elevation profiles, and a downloadable GPX file of the routes, visit our Caltopo This trip begins and ends in Burlington, WA. It should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers with knowledge of glacier travel, crevasses rescue, steep snow/ice terrain, rock scrambling, route-finding, etc. The North Cascades are considered the most rugged mountain range in the contiguous United States. Runners can plan to be back to their cars by noon on Sunday. Except for the first few hours on the approach, and on the last day’s exit, this is a serious alpine traverse, which crosses 5 glaciers, traverses cliffs, … The North Cascades are considered the most rugged mountain range in the contiguous United States. This is the famous and amazing Ptarmigan Traverse, in the North Cascades of Washington State, which starts near Marblemount. At trails end a final basecamp of food, drinks, and celebration awaits.Given the many variables that play into how long runners will take on the final day of running we plan for a Friday night camp and Saturday morning shuttle back to Burlington. Third, this traverse can be done in 5 moving days, and skiers have reportedly done the entire traverse in a single day. At these intersecting rivers runners will meet our “sherpa” crew who have packed in a specific set of tents, gear, and personal bag for a remote backcountry camp. for these camps. The Great North Cascades Traverse Hannegan Pass / Whatcom Pass / Big Beaver Creek / Ross Dam / Panther Creek / Thunder Creek / Bridge Creek / Stehekin River / Lake Chelan See a broad swath of the wild, majestic, rugged, and beautiful country that inspired the creation of North Cascades National Park! Valleys are filled with the ancient trees and the dense foliage of temperate rain forests. Here a mandatory river crossing is followed by 3,500′ of climbing in side of 4 miles of switchbacks. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out.
Ptarmigan Traverse is a 30.6 mile lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Marblemount, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. North Cascades [TR] Torment forbidden traverse - Tft 07/28/2020 ... so going solo here wasn’t necessarily more dangerous than pitching it out, maybe safer (faster). Sharp rocky spires serrate wide swaths of permanent snow fields. Rivers, creeks, and waterfalls cascade through these spaces giving this range it’s namesake. The day finishes crossing over Hannegan Pass and running out the Ruth Creek drainage. There is a possibility, if requested, for a Saturday night shuttle as well.
In short, don't even consider a south-end start. Second, while this route, which runs N-S, can in theory be done in either direction, going from North to South is the most reasonable way to do this trip, as it would be much more fatiguing, less aesthetic, and more difficult and dangerous from South to North. The trail quickly drops to the shores Ross Lake before turning west and along Big Beaver Creek leading to Beaver Pass. Further, a north-end start begins higher and allows one to rapidly gain the alpenlands, while a south-end start would require an inordinately long approach with much more elevation gain through woods while carrying the trip's heaviest packs. Glaciers cling to the steep relief of valleys carved by their icy forebears. This is not the Pacific Crest Trail; that's miles away to the East. For details about the trail, itinerary information, packing and gear lists, menu and dietary information, safety protocols, and trip policies we’ve prepared a It can be done anytime the road is open, which is typically between mid June and early November.Turn off your ad blocker to see a map of this trailRuby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail Thunder Creek, Fourth of July, and Panther Creek TrailHelp keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. Atop the climb are some of the biggest and inspiring ridge-line views in the North Cascades.
Glaciers cling to the steep relief of valleys carved by their icy forebears.