Itinerary

7 Day Ptarmigan Traverse Climb Itinerary

While every expedition is unique, the following sample itinerary represents a typical progression for our seven-day Ptarmigan Traverse. Weather, conditions, and team objectives may lead to adjustments, but each version of this traverse offers the same essential elements—remote alpine travel, classic summits, and unforgettable scenery through the very heart of the North Cascades.

Day 1

Cascade Pass to Kool Aid Lakes. We meet at our Seattle office for a 6:30 a.m. orientation and gear check. A big part of developing the necessary skills of mountaineering starts with having the proper equipment and food. Your guides will discuss each piece of gear and ensure that everything is in good condition and is a proper fit. They will evaluate conditions, discuss the weather forecast, and give a route overview. We’ll also review packing our backpacks, wilderness ethics, and Leave No Trace practices.

From the office, we will drive to the Cascade Pass Trailhead, one of the most iconic starting points in the North Cascades. We’ll ascend through lush forest and alpine meadows to reach the broad saddle of Cascade Pass (5,400 ft), where endless peaks stretch toward the horizon. From here, we travel up and over Cache Col, entering true alpine terrain. The day ends with a scenic camp at Kool Aid Lakes, where the water mirrors the surrounding spires and the evening light glows across Johannesburg Mountain and the Mix-Up Arm.

Day 2

Kool Aid Lakes to Yang Yang Lakes. After breakfast, we ascend the Red Ledges, a striking band of steep rock. Beyond the ledges, we step onto the Middle Cascade Glacier, roped up as we navigate crevasses and gentle ice slopes toward the Spider–Formidable Col. From this high vantage point, we can see the route unfolding southward—a vast sea of peaks and ice. A careful descent brings us to the beautiful Yang Yang Lakes, tucked among heather meadows and granite boulders.

Day 3

Yang Yang Lakes to White Rock Lakes. We start the day climbing onto the LeConte Glacier, a sweeping plateau of blue ice that offers opportunities to summit LeConte and Sentinel Peaks—both classic North Cascades summits with panoramic views of the route ahead. After descending over Lizard Pass, we drop into the basin of White Rock Lakes, often considered the visual highlight of the entire traverse. Towering icefalls pour from Dome and Sinister Peaks, and alpenglow lingers here longer than anywhere else.

Day 4

White Rock Lakes to Itswoot Ridge (or Cub Lake). From our lakeside camp, we ascend onto the Dana Glacier, winding through sculpted ice and snow before descending southward onto Itswoot Ridge. Here, camp sits perched above the deep valleys of the Suiattle River, with Glacier Peak (Dahkobed) dominating the skyline. The sunset views from this ridge are among the finest in the range—an unforgettable backdrop to a well-earned rest.

Day 5

Dome Peak Summit Day! Today is dedicated to climbing Dome Peak (8,920 ft)—the granite fortress at the heart of the Ptarmigan Traverse. We’ll travel across snow and glacier to reach the upper Dome Glacier, then ascend the summit ridge separating the Dome and Chickamin Glaciers. From the airy summit, the North Cascades stretch endlessly in every direction, a view that embodies the wildness and scale of this landscape. We return to camp in the afternoon to relax and soak in the panorama.

Day 6

Itswoot Ridge (or Cub Lake) to Suiattle River Road. Breaking camp, we begin our long descent toward the forested lowlands. The route winds through alpine meadows alive with wildflowers before dropping into the valley via Bachelor Creek. The transition from high, glaciated peaks to old-growth forest makes this one of the most dramatic days of the trip. We’ll hike along Downey and Bachelor Creeks through towering cedars and mossy corridors, gradually returning to the world of ferns and sunlight. We emerge at the Suiattle River Road, tired but exhilarated after completing one of the most classic and beautiful traverses in North America.

Day 7

Flexibility & Exploration Day. An extra day is built into the itinerary to allow for flexibility with weather, group pace, or route conditions. Depending on how the traverse unfolds, this day may be used to pursue additional summits, explore more of the range, or rest if needed—ensuring the best possible experience for the team.