Last week, Becca’s parents visited from Wyoming for a nice backpacking trip with my parents. While we’d initially planned for a longer trip, weather trimmed us down to a single overnight, so we headed up 542 for a lovely night out on Ptarmigan Ridge, returning via the Galena Chain Lakes loop.
A stunning sunset on Ptarmigan Ridge, with Shuksan, clouds above Baker Lake, Blum, Hagan, and Baker Lake all visible.
After lunch in Glacier at the Wake n Bakery, we headed up to Artist Point after the hillclimb road closure, and headed off towards Ptarmigan Ridge. It was a beautiful chilly day, with the blueberries starting to turn bright red, and a slight dusting of fresh snow on Shuksan and Baker, playing peek-a-boo through the clouds.
Becca, Dad, and Gaile on Ptarmigan Ridge, with Mount Shuksan in the background.
The crowds thinned out after the turn-off for Mazama Lake, and the views were stunning. We set up camp past Coleman Pinnacle, then headed further along the ridge towards The Portals, passing a group of hunters returning after successfully shooting a Mountain Goat. As we neared The Portals, the wind picked up, and clouds began spilling over the north side of the ridge, so we headed back towards camp.
Becca, Luc, and Gaile hike along Ptarmigan Ridge towards the Portals.
Clouds blow over Ptarmigan Ridge in front of Mount Baker
While the others hunkered down, Dad and I stayed up high on the ridge, enjoying an absolutely magical sunset, with a backlit lenticular cloud over Baker, evening light on Shuksan, and a striking undercast in the Baker River valley. With crisp temps, it really felt like Fall.
Evening light on Mount Hagan’s several summits.
Backlit clouds cling to Mount Baker and the Cockscomb at sunset.
The next morning, Dad and Mom and I headed up a nearby bump to watch the sunrise and the morning light on Mount Baker.
Kiva enjoying the morning light on Mount Baker.
Group photo near camp, with Mount Baker in the background
After breakfast, we all strolled down past the glacial-remnant lake to admire the resident herd of Mountain Goats, basking in the sun below Mount Baker.
Mount Baker and the glacial remnant lake on Ptarmigan Ridge
Mountain Goat below Shuksan’s summit
We retrieved our packs and headed back down the ridge and down to Mazama Lake, then, with plenty of breaks for blueberry munching, up and over Herman Saddle and down to Bagely Lakes. This part of the trip was fun for me, as, despite having been there countless times on skis, I’d never hiked the super-popular trail!
Dad and Kiva heading down from Herman Saddle towards Bagley Lakes, with Shuksan looking pretty.
Some folks waited down at Heather Meadows while Becca and Mom and I zipped back up to retrieve the cars. A really nice accessible overnight with stunning views and great company!