Welcome back

Forgot password
Don't have an account? Join here.

Ptarmigan Cirque

Log in to rate, comment, or add pictures!
This trail starts from highway 40 at the Highwood Pass parking area. Highwood Pass is the highest point in Canada accessible by a paved road (2206m), so why not take advantage of it and get to a cirque without a huge climb.

Ptarmigan Cirque is a pleasant cirque that's not too hard to get to. I would suggest going later in the season - I went in late June, and the trails were mostly all covered with snow (sometimes a lot of it). This also makes it a harder walk than it normally would be. The first bit of the trail, after it crosses the highway, switchbacks through the trees in a fairly steep climb. Once it opens up, it also flattens out and the rest is a pretty easy walk. There is no lake up there, but a little stream and a large rock field / meadow. There are quite a few little cascades and a couple nice waterfalls.

Overall I would say this is a pleasant way to spend couple hours, but not spectacular.