Ptarmigan Lake panorama, Mt. Yale can be seen at the far right. Both Suzie and I have climbed Mt. Yale.
Sometimes the beauty of a place just speaks for itself in photos. This is Ptarmigan Lake, outside of Buena Vista up Cottonwood Pass for locals. About a 6 mile trek out and back, it can be day hiked like Suzie and I did. With a plethora of tarns before the massive lake itself, there is plenty of opportunity for backcountry camping here as well. In fact we were pleased to see one group using llamas which brought back memories of our llama treks when the family was younger. For those that know Colorado’s fourteeners, Mt. Yale and Mt. Princeton can be seen from the lake which are reflected in the lake at the right angles.
One of the many tarns you hike by when going to the lake. In the far distance hiding between two nearer peaks is Mt Princeton which I have climbed as well.
Alpine asters greeted us along the trail.
Another mile another tarn!
Lots of Indian Paintbrush along the trail as well, which crosses the creek multiple times along the way.
Suzie in front of yet another tarn!
This one is perfect for spotting moose around, none today!
Nice views from this tarn.
Suzie coming back down the trail from Ptarmigan Lake which sits atop the ridge above. If your eyes are really good you can see both a white tent campsite and llamas on the ridge.
Llama from a camping party, he spots something off in the distance that has got his interest.
A nice reflection Ptarmigan Lake from a nearby mountain, Mt. Yale is the pointy one further in the distance.
The ubiquitous selfie at the lake.
The view from our picnic spot along Ptarmigan Lake
For those visiting Buena Vista, make sure to check out the south main development on the Arkansas riverside which harkens back to the days of white fenced front porch neighborhoods and small restaurants and breweries which border the river walk that now extends nearly a mile along the river and loops back across a couple bridges. A massive hotel that looks like something straight out of the French Quarter in New Orleans now dominates a portion of the riverside. The neighborhood, while manufactured, is quaint and fun to walk around despite its gentrification.
The South Main settlement from across the Arkansas River
Suzie on one of the bridges along the river walk, more “play” places upstream for kayakers and boarders.
Like a transplant out of New Orleans’ French Quarter, the Surf Hotel looms on the riverside.
Yes indeed that is someone surfing in the river park. I have both kayaked and rafted this stretch of the Arkansas River.
Enjoy the pictures and as usual leave your comments below.
2 replies on “Ptarmigan Lake, Buena Vista, Colorado”
Another example of the beauty that Colorado offers. The wild mountain flowers always look so brilliant and precious.
As for me, I did not realize that the Arkansas River, the same one that flows into the Muddy Mississippi after passing through the state of Arkansas, which is one of our muggy, buggy, and foliage-overgrown southern states, has its source in the clear and pristine melting snowpack of the Colorado mountains. What a trek from semi-arid to swampy.
Well, admittedly the Arkansas can even be a little brown at times in Colorado, in fact one of the best rafting sections is called “Brown’s Canyon”…okay, that’s totally unrelated to the color of the river, but yes much fresher mountain water.
2 replies on “Ptarmigan Lake, Buena Vista, Colorado”
Another example of the beauty that Colorado offers. The wild mountain flowers always look so brilliant and precious.
As for me, I did not realize that the Arkansas River, the same one that flows into the Muddy Mississippi after passing through the state of Arkansas, which is one of our muggy, buggy, and foliage-overgrown southern states, has its source in the clear and pristine melting snowpack of the Colorado mountains. What a trek from semi-arid to swampy.
Well, admittedly the Arkansas can even be a little brown at times in Colorado, in fact one of the best rafting sections is called “Brown’s Canyon”…okay, that’s totally unrelated to the color of the river, but yes much fresher mountain water.