Aspen Grove
Location: 39.6573867797852, -106.051773071289
Columbine
Location: 39.6541175842285, -106.053451538086
Grassy Trail
Location: 39.6885833740234, -106.028038024902
Lake Dillon
Location: 39.6360168457031, -106.053558349609
Views overlooking Lake Dillon and the Tenmile Range.
PPT001
Location: 39.6351509094238, -106.053497314453
Follow Ptarmigan Peak Trail to the north. In 500 feet, turn left and follow paved County Road J for steep uphill stretch.
PPT002
Location: 39.6376190185547, -106.053497314453
Bear right onto narrow dirt path cut through stubby bushes and shrubs. In 100 yards, trail curves to the right, heading east.
PPT003
Location: 39.6389312744141, -106.052696228027
Turn around for far-reaching views of Lake Dillon stretching out beneath the rugged Tenmile Range. Next, continue north up grassy hillsides.
PPT004
Location: 39.6428985595703, -106.05290222168
Trail gently descends between aspen groves on slightly rocky trail.
PPT005
Location: 39.6502685546875, -106.053497314453
Clearing in aspens reveals up-close views of the snow-capped Gore Range to the west; continue hiking north.
PPT006
Location: 39.6540107727051, -106.053497314453
Trail meanders through shady, pine-scented forest; lavender columbine speckle the ground.
PPT007
Location: 39.6571617126465, -106.051696777344
Cross a small stream that trickles across the trail; in 100 feet, walk through a corridor of bent aspens.
PPT008
Location: 39.6615104675293, -106.052696228027
Cross a small, gurgling stream.
PPT009
Location: 39.6627616882324, -106.054634094238
Rest legs on the log bench overlooking the Gore Range. Next, trail travels northwest.
PPT010
Location: 39.6671409606934, -106.051498413086
Climb though pine forest; catch an occasional glimpse of the Gore Range through the trees.
PPT011
Location: 39.672191619873, -106.042198181152
Climb southeast, then northeast up an open, grassy ridge.
PPT012
Location: 39.6781311035156, -106.037200927734
Continue straight on Ptarmigan Peak Trail @ 3-way junction with Ptarmigan Pass Trail.
PPT013
Location: 39.6800193786621, -106.033897399902
Stunning panoramas of Lake Dillon, Keystone, and the Tenmile and Gore Ranges stretch out to the south and to the west.
PPT014
Location: 39.689079284668, -106.027900695801
Keep climbing north. In 800 feet, turn right @ wooden sign and leave the trail. Connect the cairns to reach Ptarmigan Peak's summit.
PPT015
Location: 39.6907157897949, -106.026344299316
Ptarmigan Peak (12,498 ft.): A 4-foot cairn marks Ptarmigan's broad, windy summit. Look out onto the gently, rounded slopes of the Williams Fork Mountains to the north and east. In stark contrast, the rocky, sawtooth ridgeline of the Gore Range dominates views to the west. Retrace route back to trailhead.
Ptarmigan Peak Cairn
Location: 39.6907653808594, -106.026344299316
Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness
Location: 39.672233581543, -106.040283203125
Snowfield
Location: 39.6905555725098, -106.026390075684
Summit County
Location: 39.6872215270996, -106.028366088867
Summit County Views
Location: 39.6710205078125, -106.042526245117
Summit Views
Location: 39.6903419494629, -106.026443481445
The Gore Range rises dramatically behind grassy slopes.
The Gore Range
Location: 39.6743812561035, -106.039352416992
Views of Lake Dillon
Location: 39.6405754089356, -106.052703857422
Views of the Gore Range
Location: 39.6856918334961, -106.028884887695
Wildflower Meadows
Location: 39.6758766174316, -106.038696289062
Wildflowers
Location: 39.652156829834, -106.054290771484
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