Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail is two hikes for the price of one. The first hike takes you up the warm sunny side of this huge glacial bowl above Ptarmigan Lake to a tunnel just below the top of the ridge.

Ptarmigan Lake

Ptarmigan Lake shimmers in the sun below the Ptarmigan Wall. You can see the hiking trail below.

Ptarmigan Tunnel

You are about to enter another dimension…

What Tunnel?

…when you emerge, you find the other side to be chilly, windy and shady. This pass is clear of snow just a few months each year. Can you find the tunnel in the photo above? It’s just to the left of the giant crack in the center of the photo.

Elizabeth Lake

It’s too cold to stop, so we hike another mile to reach the sun and a beautiful view of Elizabeth Lake.

Colors Abound

It’s interesting how light exposure can affect an image. The two photos above capture similar scenes, this one from shade using a flash, the other in full sun. Notice how the colors really pop out in this shady shot. The rich red rock and deep green trees look amazing compared to the odd radioactive glow on my flash-lit face.

Apasha Glacier

Here is Theresa admiring the Apasha Glacier. The ledge she is sitting on is over a thousand feet above the valley floor. You have to love heights to enjoy these hikes.

Hiker’s Old Trick

Nothing soothes a hiker’s sore, tired feet like the cold blast from a glacial stream.

Next: Swiftcurrent Trail >>