Looking at the 10 day forecast it was showing yellow balls and cold temps for the next 3 days. So the call went out to Harold, do you want to get out (stupid question) and do some exploring?
Circum navigate is what I believe the terminology is for this type of travel. Start at one point and go around an area and return back. We just didn’t come completely around, for our truck was park in another parking area somewhat close to our starting pointing….just wordage.
So the plan was simple enough, go up the Ptarmigan Creek Trail, crossing Ptarmigan Lake then proceed up and over Snow River Pass into the Paradise Valley and then out the North Folk of the Snow River and finally wrapping it up at our park truck on the other end.
So to get the most of the day we started early, Harold’s wife dropped us off at the Ptarmigan creek TH. This is a beautiful back country trail that is highly recommended pretty much all year. But the natural obstacles keep most of the masses home so to run into someone is not common.

We don our snow shoes, packs with skis and the sled we used to pull our more bulky gear. The trail was not as bad as last year when Harold and I did this same trail and made 30 + tree fall crossings in just 3.5 miles to the lake. We were fortunate to have but 6 this go around and it still took us 3 hours as we poke along crossing trees and avalanche shoots.

The lake was a breath of fresh air as we knew it was going to provide us the fast and smooth travel we wanted for making up time lost on the trail. We scooted along making great time crossing this 3 mile lake, the snow cover was minimal and provided us a real sweet glide.

At the end of the lake is where the main trail ended and few folks ever visit. We were bless that this area was not load with too much snow ,for the first part of the trip was thick with Alders and small but continuous creek crossings . We made it through that mess and then busted out and onto a real nice dry creek bed. For the next2.5 mile we enjoyed the nice traveling that Mother Nature had provided us.
As we rounded a bend the creek came to an abrupt end some 300 meters in front of us and we knew them that it was now time to go south and leave the luxurious travel condition.
We climbed the river bank and then proceed into the cottonwood and spruced chocked forest. By this time both of us were hitting a wall and with daylight knocking at our heals it was determined that a nice camp location was in store. What we desired was an area close to water and where we could build a fire safely. As we traveled, the spruce played out and the Hemlock took over and soon after our camp location presented itself.
We began the task of setting up camp and getting some hot liquids and grub going, we split the task with Harold working on the fire and I on the tent.

Next morning with full gullets and dry cloths we were ready to tackle the Alders and all they had to offer. My gosh am I clueless or what? This valley (Snow River Pass) is not large in width or length but it does make up for it and many other ways such as Alders and in like more Alders. We pick the side we thought would do us best and headed that direction trying to get some elevation so as to get out of the Alder and to get some kind of visual bearing on the lay of the land.
Now we both knew when we did this gig that the travel conditions were unknown due to the current snow fall condition. So we decide to bring both snow shoe and skis, to some this might seem very burdensome, but for us we were willing to take the chance. For some of this area snow shoes are without a doubt the only way to go, as for the skis they were to be used on the long flat area where they would prove very beneficial. One problem, busting through Alders pulling a sled pack skis can be, well to say the least a real pain in the ass. But hey it makes you Alaskan tough (or stupid) to travel in the fashion.

All good things come to an end and by out 2 o’clock we were getting towards the head of the pass and the glorious hemlock forest were coming into view. As we got closer we came across some high mountain lakes and pond which were a nice twist in the travel. The Hemlocks forest like these usually have some nice cuts, breaks, ravines and small creek beds that if you catch them just right can provide great traveling route down to our desired destination.
And it did just that, and by 4:00pm we were at the bottom and into Paradise Valley. Unfortunately the clouds would periodically busted open and then huddle back together blocking out what we already knew was out there. That was huge beautiful and magnificent peak, even if we weren’t there to climb them, viewing them even for a short time is surely is worth the pains endured.

5:30 came and camp 2 was in full progress, Harold on the building of the kitchen and fire detail and I on the tent. We both don’t use fire on most of our outing because our trips involve elevation where the heat one gets is provide by the foods one consumes. This was an exception and it was very comforting to have the fire, must be some kind of primeval instinct, or maybe it just cool to roast Pop-tart in that fashion.

Throughout the night a light snow was heard hitting our tent and it continued until we broke camp and was on our way out and on the final leg of our trip. This valley lives up to its name, Paradise Valley with old growth tree covered moraines numerous ponds, lakes and the Hearth glacier terminating on her sides. As we skied our way through the valley using the Snow River as our guide, the scenery was ever changing with large Cotton wood growth, and then spruce cover hills and large boulder field left behind from ancient glaciered retreats. This pleasurable ski lasted for 3 miles as we enjoy the glide of the skis.

When the valley came to the point where it began its drastic drop down into the Hemlock forest we stop for a break and began to prepare ourselves for what we jokingly call “Hell’s Gate”. It basically meant that the skis came off, strapped to our packs and a tow/brake line was rigged to the back of the sled. Both Harold and I both knew all too well what this was all about we had did this same technique just 2 years ago when we were on our way out of this same country on our successful Hearth mountain expedition (I say successful because we all return alive).
We hooked up and proceeded down through the hemlock forest, the going was much more forgiving as the snow level was less and our knowledge of the proper route played a pivotal roll in our successful and timly retreat home.


As always the crux seems to come at the end of our trip and this one seemed to be no different as we got out of the forest and made it to the low land our trip along the Snow River had one area she wasn’t going to give up so easily. The trail cross a piece of ice that of itself was very sketchy, then the trail if you could call it that hugged the rock wall just a few ices above the river that at this point was a good 4 feet deep and very cold if one was to be careless the price would have been critical. The obstacle of concern was that the trail was so tight we had to do it without pack but at the very end a short snow covered icy rock without any hand hold had to be mastered. One of those last minute what the F*** am I going to do here thought comes to mind. After we both go past area with our packs it was then time to go retrieve the sled.


The rest of the last few miles out were just a nice long slide and a chance to reflect on where we been and what the heck is next…and oh yah what pizza was I going to order for dinner.

Some great pictures there. Thanks!

dude thats an awesome looking soiree, and awesome photos. i like the picture with the three pillars of snow in it. good report, too.

Glad you got out in all this snow..Looks like a super fun trip!

Well, truth be told, we did it the first part of February and I need to credit Harold for the best pix. 3 days, 20 some odd miles and only a 2000' elevation gain... but a boat load of fun indeed.