W0C/PR-074
Ptarmigan Peak
3588 m / 11773 ft
First Activation
Nov 8, 2016

By KX0R

Ptarmigan Peak is a fine, fun SOTA peak in the Vasquez Mountains west of Fraser, Colorado.

Key Points:

• Arapaho National Forest
• Byers Peak Wilderness
• Moderate climb to a pleasant, alpine summit
• Nice scenery – fine views of Byers Peak and Indian Peaks
• Superb HF site
• Lightly visited
• ~ 7.3 miles round-trip
• ~ 1875 vertical feet
• SOTA Classic!

Driving Directions:

• Drive to Fraser via US 40
• Turn south on CR 72, and then turn right on connecting road to CR 73
• CR 73 is a good 2WD dirt road
• Follow CR 73 SW into the Fraser Experimental Forest
• Drive southwest for about 8 miles.
• Turn right at the sign for the Byers Peak Trailhead
• Follow FR 742 about 2.7 miles up to the TH
• The trailhead is a one-way loop on both sides of the creek, with specified parking areas

The Climb:

• Start up the closed road toward Byers Peak
• At the sign for Bottle Pass Trail N16, head right and uphill on a good foot path

• The trail climbs up through pleasant forest and eventually reaches an alpine saddle near 11,000 feet, between Bottle Peak and Byers Peak

• Head north on the trail up the south ridge of Bottle Peak.
• Either hike over Bottle Peak, or contour around its west side toward Bottle Pass – 11,320 feet
• There’s no trail west of Bottle Peak
• Cross Bottle Pass and climb up the slopes of Ptarmigan Peak
• The south ridge provides a pleasant route up to the small, prominent summit

Details:

Ptarmigan Peak is a remote, seldom-climbed summit that combines a fine alpine experience with a good SOTA activation. The road from Fraser, the Byers Peak Trailhead, and the Bottle Peak Trail provide relatively convenient access.

The shadowy road was quite icy up near the trailhead, but there were no worries once I was on the sunny trail! I was there on a nice late fall day, and it was wonderful to be so high with no issues. There was some snow in the meadows near Bottle Pass, but most of the route was dry.

The views of Byers Peak’s snowy north side were incredible! What a place to do a SOTA activation so late in the year!

The barren summit of Ptarmigan Peak is exposed to the wind, and there are no trees or boulders to use as supports for a pole. The activation zone is not large, but the ridge offers some reduction in wind.

There’s no development near Ptarmigan, and the RF noise level is very low. The day I was there, conditions were almost ideal. This is an almost perfect HF site, but few VHF/UHF operators are likely within range. Byers Peak blocks HF signals somewhat, but only to the south.

My log shows an incredible 66 CW contacts on 4 HF bands in 80 minutes.

Included were two DX contacts on 18 MHz: ZL1BYZ in New Zealand, and J6/AK5SD in Saint Lucia. I also contacted W0RW/PM, Paul, pedestrian mobile on 20M CW down in Texas! That was with my ATS-3B, end fed wire on a pole, and just 5 watts. It really IS a perfect site!

Ptarmigan Peak is a SOTA Classic!

• Alpine wilderness
• Spectacular views
• Fun, interesting hike
• Ideal HF site
• Accessible trailhead

On a good, long, dry day it might be possible to combine an activation of Byers Peak W0C/PR-003 with Ptarmigan.

This might be a good place to avoid on busy summer weekends. Byers Peak is popular, and parking is limited. However, few visitors venture off the trail to climb Ptarmigan. I climbed nearby Bottle Peak on the way out, and I recommend this easy side-trip for the views and perspective it offers.

73

George
KX0R

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!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers. Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required - enjoy!