Ptarmigan tunnel glacier national park montana september 2017. Now the choices are two miles to the left over to iceberg lake, or two miles to the right up to ptarmigan tunnel. Oct 22, 2018 after the falls turn right to ptarmigan tunnel. As the trail climbs in elevation, you will begin to see a unique view of mount wilbur to the south. Ptarmigan definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Ptarmigan tunnel trail is a very popular glacier park hike in the many glacier area. I will also check with the rangers at gnp when picking up my permit.
The property was staked by prospectors in 1936 and acquired by cominco in 1938. Iceberg lake and ptarmigan tunnel glacier np hiking with. The route, from cascade pass to dome peak, is generally remote, unmarked, and challenging, traversing rugged terrain and several glaciers. From the picnic area, a fiveminute walk down the road, trails depart to lake josephine and. Overview view north from the summit of ptamigan peak.
We actually saw a ptarmigan right next to the trail on the way out. The polson, montana woman, along with her husband and two companions, rode horseback to the tunnel from many glacier. The 250foot 76 m tu nnel allows hikers to avoid a strenuous climb over very steep terrain between many glacier and the belly river valley. Spectacular view of ptarmigan lake from the tunnel. Male willow ptarmigan call the willow ptarmigan, feathered mostly brown in summer, is utterly transfigured by an autumn molt. Pointing toward ptarmigan tunnel, i plead that this is the only chance i will have, which might be true. Ptarmigan tunnel route hiking trail, swiftcurrent, montana. The ptarmigan trail shares a trailhead as well as its first 2. One such is the willow ptarmigan, a chickensized bird of the northern tundra known for its giddy voice. The 240foot ptarmigan tunnel was originally built by the civilian conservation corp in the 1930s for horses and early park tours. Roughly a tenthofamile later youll reach the iceberg lake trail junction, which takes hikers to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the park. Most people have no idea ptarmigan tunnel in montana exists.
Like other grouse, they are well adapted to cold environments, eg, nostrils are hidden by feathers, body feathers have a long, downy aftershaft that increases insulation, and toes are feathered. Ptarmigan tunnel trail hike the ptarmigan trailhead is located adjacent to the swiftcurrent motor inn and is approximately 11 miles in length roundtrip. Apr 19, 2017 most people have no idea this unique tunnel in montana exists. The ptarmigan tunnel trail shares this trailhead as well as its first 2. Although the first twotenths of a mile climb at a fairly steep grade, the trail quickly flattens out, becoming a nice, gradual incline taking you to broad meadows. The 250foot, constructed tunnel, known as ptarmigan tunnel, goes from one stunning view, through the sheer ridge of ptarmigan wall, to another stunning view on the other side. Then we would head to elizabeth lake via the ptarmigan tunnel.
A man driven to succeed finally discovers what hed lost and retires to a remote island in the north pacific where he lives by himself. A couple of days before we were to start we checked with the backcountry office and were able to reroute our trip to avoid the tunnel. The stunning ptarmigan tunnel trail is known for its beautiful forest, streams, lakes and sheer cliffs. The ptarmigan traverse is the oldest and most famous high route in the northwest. Ptarmigan tunnel hike to ptarmigan tunnel in glacier. The ptarmigan tunnel was built in 1930 through the ptarmigan wall at an elevation of 7,200 feet 2,200 m in glacier national park, near many glacier. In 2005 dave first hiked it with his 2 younger brothers. Ptarmigan tunnel west glacier 2020 all you need to. Ptarmigan falls hike to ptarmigan falls in glacier. The ptarmigan trail which includes ptarmigan tunnel is also a very popular entrance trail or exit trail for multiday hikers entering or leaving the belly river area which includes elizabeth lake, as well as the exit trail for those multiday hikers who. Closed 1072019 per 650 elizabeth lake suspension bridge. Price new from used from paperback, february 1, 2009 please retry.
Ptarmigan tunnel the clouds were still sticking to the peaks here so it was mystical at the top and through the tunnel and a complete white out on the other side. The tunnel is 3 massive switchbacks above the lake youll see them, climb those and enjoy the view looking back at the lake and valley then go through the tunnel to see elizabeth lake and the belly river area. Just above ptarmigan falls is an open and rocky area that has become a popular spot for a snack break or a rest stop. Nearby trails depart for red rock, bullhead, and iceberg lakes as well as ptarmigan tunnel and swiftcurrent pass. We will attempt the trail once again, adding on the short side trail of iceberg lake as they are on the same trail. Ptarmigan tunnel trail hike to ptarmigan tunnel, glacier park. On rocky mountain tundra south to new mexico is the whitetailed ptarmigan. Forged in 1930, the ptarmigan tunnel in picturesque glacier national park was created to allow horses and tourists a better view of the surrounding natural wonder.
An exhaustive, readable, historic, personal, and profusely illustrated history of the alpine tunnel the first railroad tunnel through the continental divide. The glacier park foundation carried a tragic story about an accident at the ptarmigan tunnel in their fall 1998 publication, the inside trail. It has also been introduced to south georgia, new zealand, and. Illustrator shannon cartwright once again brings to the page and into kids hearts a delightful tale about alaska wildlife. At the ptarmigan tunnel trail junction in glacier national park, the ptarmigan tunnel trail begins to head straight north as it works its way through a heavily wooded section of forest. Two opposing steel jackhammers drilling from either side of the t unnel and a series of tenhole rounds of. Upon arrival they led their horses through the tunnel to view the scenery on the other side. A hike to ptarmigan tunnel is a wonderful day out in the many glacier area of glacier national park. An enjoyable hike in glacier national park leads us to ptarmigan tunnel, a 250ft long manmade tunnel constructed in 1930 that makes hiking between many glacier and the belly river valley slightly.
When we arrived glacier we learned that the ptarmigan tunnel trail was closed due to bear activity. Ptarmigan peak 12,498 straddles the border between summit and grand counties, offering 360 degree views of every mountain range located within the dillon ranger district. The 250 foot manmade tunnel that goes through the knife edge ridge of ptarmigan wall is a treat, with breathtaking views on both sides. Steve and sandy at the west entrance of the ptarmigan tunnel. A few sites can fit rvs up to 35 feet, but most fit rvs only up to 21 feet. Ptarmigan tunnel west glacier, montana atlas obscura. Ten years later, as conservationists fought for a north cascades national park, miller lent his pictures from the ptarmigan traverse and several other trips to the mountaineers. If you have a scheduled backpack trip and are coming around that time, it is advisable to call or check in at a visitor center or ranger station upon arrival. Also distributed circumpolarly is the willow ptarmigan, or willow grouse l. Whitetailed ptarmigan are one of three species of north. Turning right and continuing on the ptarmigan trail will lead hikers to the ptarmigan tunnel. The book, called the north cascades, was published in 1964 and proved instrumental in the bid to create the north cascades national park. Trail crews attempt to open the tunnel around the second week of july, depending on snow conditions. Walk around w edge of ptarmigan lake, a tranquil pool surrounded by a rock amphitheater.
Not intetested in class iv climbing, but some light class iii to get past a closed tunnel is reasonable depending on snow conditions. Last time we were diverted from ptarmigan tunnel due to a bear on the trail. The 250foot 76 m tunnel allows hikers to avoid a strenuous climb over very steep terrain between many glacier and the belly river valley. Ptarmigan tunnel flatlanders guide to mountain hikes. Jul 17, 2007 ptarmigan tunnel the clouds were still sticking to the peaks here so it was mystical at the top and through the tunnel and a complete white out on the other side. Follow ptarmigan creek through open pine forest into a ushaped valley. There was a restaurant right at the trailhead so we ended this hike by splitting a very good pizza. Male willow ptarmigan call as snow begins to mantle its world, the newly whitefeathered ptarmigan blends in. Hewn from the rock beneath the ptarmigan wall, the tunnel allows the ptarmigan trail to pass through the mountain, bypassing some of the most difficult terrain on its way from many glacier to cosley lake.
The route is named after an alpine bird, the rock ptarmigan. Most of the elevation change at least as i perceive it is in the last mile or two of the hike as you approach the tunnel itself. The tunnel walls are amazingly dry, didt really see any bugs or creepy crawlers or scary critters young marmot tried to check us out. A book of his photographs, the north cascades, was published in 1964. Mar 04, 2015 ptarmigan are distinguished from other members of the grouse subfamily by their allwhite wings. This story takes on a more immediate reality when standing at the northern adit of the ptarmigan and looking over the edge of the rock retaining wall. Ptarmigan tunnel is drilled through it, and the trails to grinnell glacier, cracker and iceberg lakes cross it. Ptarmigan traverse is an alpine climbing route in the north cascades of washington state. Sep 10, 20 an enjoyable hike in glacier national park leads us to ptarmigan tunnel, a 250ft long manmade tunnel constructed in 1930 that makes hiking between many glacier and the belly river valley slightly. Ptarmigan are distinguished from other members of the grouse subfamily by their allwhite wings. The ptarmigan trail which includes ptarmigan tunnel is also a very popular entrance trail or exit trail for multiday hikers entering or leaving the belly river area which. The ptarmigan paperback february 1, 2009 by clifford haigh author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. Its slightly more than 5 miles, one way, to the tunnel, making this a challenging mostoftheday hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from march until september. Sep 04, 2014 one of the many trail hikes in the many glacier area of glacier national park. Trail through the woods is fairly steep, continues up and around past ptarmigan lake a hidden gem and up to the tunnel. Lewis whitetailed ptarmigan are one of three species of north american ptarmigan and the only variety found in colorado. The elevation gain is about 2,300 and as you approach the lake the vistas become more and more amazing. In 1998 a woman lost her life on the north side of ptarmigan tunnel in one of the most freakish accidents in glacier national park history. Ptarmigan falls hike to ptarmigan falls in glacier national. This hike is located in the many glacier region of glacier national park, and its one of the most popular hikes. Please forgive the substandard technical quality on these three imagesthe lighting was extremely difficult, and beyond the capabilities of my camera. The path through the tunnel takes you into another world, with totally different, even more breathtaking views.
The wings and breast are white in colder months, but in the spring they become a mottled greybrown. Beyond this point hikers have the option of visiting other popular destinations in this area, such as iceberg lake or ptarmigan tunnel. Ptarmigan traverse is an alpine climbing route in the. Lewis whitetailed ptarmigan are one of three species of north american ptarmigan and the only variety. One of the more challenging destinations in the many glacier area of glacier national park is ptarmigan tunnel.
Frequently asked questions glacier national park u. Does anyone know if it is safe, reasonable to cross the ridge above ptarmigan tunnel in gnp if the doors have not been opened. One of the many trail hikes in the many glacier area of glacier national park. Continue heading n between the gentle slopes of crowfeet mtn. The first crossing of this route in july 1938 by four members of the ptarmigan climbing club has become a standard in northwest mountaineering folklore. Feb 08, 2017 continue heading n between the gentle slopes of crowfeet mtn. Ptarmigan trail to cosley lake closed montana alltrails. Ptarmigan, rock ptarmigan, snow chicken, raicho, white grouse, white game lagopus muta. Most people have no idea this unique tunnel in montana exists. If you grew up in montana, youve almost certainly been to glacier national park. Redrock falls, on the trail to swiftcurrent pass, and ptarmigan falls on the iceberg lake trail drop over several of its highly colored layers. The ptarmigan and tom mine were gold producers located in the northwest territories, canada at yellowknife. The mine first produced between 1941 and 1942 but closed due to wartime restrictions. This 180 feet or so blasted through solid rock was cool and eerie as the clouds swirled around, marmot guarding the door.
Using two opposing steel jackhammers drilling from either side of the tunnel, and a series of dynamite charges, workers broke through the mountain in less than three months. Remote regions of arctic and subarctic regions of north america, greenland, and in the mountains of the pyrenees, the alps, the urals, the altay mountains, japan, and scotland. Iceberg lake and ptarmigan tunnel glacier np hiking. Obviously this answer is going to depend on your conditioning but i would consider the hike to the ptarmigan tunnel to be a moderate hike. Ptarmigan tunnel route running trail, swiftcurrent, montana. Two opposing steel jackhammers drilling from either side of the tunnel and a series of tenhole rounds of. Best campsites in glacier national park moon travel guides.
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