Ptarmigan Lake and Gladstone Ridge

Description

Elevation: - 13,209'
Location - West of Buena Vista in Colorado.

Trip Report(s)

On July 16, 1998, Mike and I headed up Cottonwood Pass road from Buena Vista. We parked at the Ptarmigan trailhead (10,600') and backpacked up to the lake, setting up camp just at the edge of treeline below the lake. We then hiked up to the lake (12,100'). From there we went around the east shore through a cloud of midges, and then ascended the west ridge of Big Grassy, taking a long ridge walk over Points 12962 and 13038, stopping on Gladstone Ridge at Point 13209. I remember hanging out for a long time there - the weather was good, and we were contemplating an attempt on Mt. Princeton (14,197') the next day, which was clearly visible just to the east of us. We could look around at all the other Collegiate Peaks, including Mt. Yale (14,196' - the first 14er Mike and I summited together) just across Cottonwood Creek valley from us. We could see 14ers everywhere, plus the Arkansas River valley to the east, and Taylor Park over the Continental Divide just to the west of us. The only thing marring the day was the sound of some motocross bikes violating the federally designated wilderness boundaries. Sigh. We then descended back to camp, and the next day went for our ill-fated attempt on Mt. Princeton. A good overnighter. Photos follow.

Photos

Mt. Yale

Looking north across Cottonwood Creek valley at Mt. Yale (high peak on center right) from Gladstone Ridge. Mt. Harvard (14,420') is next high peak to the left. Other Collegiates stretching off to the north in the distance.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)


Mt. Princeton

Looking east over the remainder of Gladstone Ridge at Mt. Princeton in the center distance. Mt. Antero (14,269') is the sharp point on the right.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)

Ptarmigan Lake

Looking west. Ptarmigan Lake is in the middle right, with Jones Mountain (13,221') behind it. The ridge rising to the left from the lake and wrapping around toward us is Big Grassy. Mt. Kreutzer (13,120') on the Continental Divide is the high peak in the left center.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)

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