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North Cascades National Park hiking guide

Ptarmigan Traverse

A 20.3-mile point-to-point with 21,600 ft of climbing in Cascade Pass, rated extreme.

Ptarmigan Traverse, North Cascades National Park
Photo: nwpuzzlr

Key facts

Length
20.3 mi (32.7 km)
Elevation gain
21,600 ft (6,585 m)
Route type
Point to point
Difficulty
Extreme
Area
Cascade Pass
Trip length
Multi-day

About Ptarmigan Traverse

This demanding route traverses the Cascade Crest, crossing multiple glaciers and offering breathtaking views of surrounding peaks. It requires mountaineering skills due to steep terrain and glacier travel. The traverse is known for its stunning alpine landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Route map

Route map of Ptarmigan Traverse in North Cascades National Park5 miN
StartFinishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

Nearby in Cascade Pass

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