This hike presents all of its climbing in the first mile or so, and from there it's all downhill. We hiked up the back side of Baldy, and the crisp fall day quickly turned into a bright winter day once up top, due to recent snow. Still, the snow was only ankle-deep. From below the ridge line, we veered to the left until we crested and, stopping for lunch beside an alpine pond (barely covered in ice), could see where Ptarmigan Valley descended to the left.
Even so, we tundra- and bush-whacked the next mile or so down the valley, failing to find any obvious trail for more than a few yards at a time. We found huge patches of blueberries, all about to fall from their twigs after being frozen. Nature's perfect snack! After crossing the creek a few times, we finally found the alder-lined old road, and from there could follow the trail just fine. TIP: Once you start down the valley, keep the creek on your left and you'll pick up the trail again.
The rest of the way winds through mixed forest, with the last mile or so passing behind scattered houses. Ptarmigan Valley is open to snowmachining when the white stuff is deep enough.
Distance one way: about 9 miles
Even so, we tundra- and bush-whacked the next mile or so down the valley, failing to find any obvious trail for more than a few yards at a time. We found huge patches of blueberries, all about to fall from their twigs after being frozen. Nature's perfect snack! After crossing the creek a few times, we finally found the alder-lined old road, and from there could follow the trail just fine. TIP: Once you start down the valley, keep the creek on your left and you'll pick up the trail again.
The rest of the way winds through mixed forest, with the last mile or so passing behind scattered houses. Ptarmigan Valley is open to snowmachining when the white stuff is deep enough.
Distance one way: about 9 miles