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Ptarmigan Peak

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 3.6 (28)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Silverthorne & Dillon
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“A nice smooth trail with great views of the Gore Range along the way. ”

Chris JD
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Map Key

8.4

Miles

13.6

KM

100%

Singletrack

11,536' 3,516 m

High

9,136' 2,785 m

Low

2,518' 767 m

Up

2,518' 768 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

The trail ends for bikers at the Wilderness sign. If you want to summit Ptarmigan peak, it's a mile of hiking one way.

Overview

A great steady uphill climb with optional hike to the summit. This trail has a nice singletrack path with a couple of small stream crossings. Would be a great early morning ride to avoid hikers and horses.

Need to Know

From I-70 take Exit 205, Silverthorne/Dillon, and travel north on HWY 9 for approximately 0.2 miles to the intersection of Wildernest Drive/Rainbow Drive, (Wendys is on the corner). Turn right onto Rainbow Drive and then right onto Tanglewood Lane. Follow Tanglewood Lane to Ptarmigan Trail Rd and turn right. Follow this road for approximately 0.8 miles to the trailhead parking, which is on the right side of the road. The trail starts across the road from the parking area.

Description

This trail simply takes a steady uphill to treeline. The beginning is the roughest (and maybe the steepest) but you'll be rewarded with smooth singletrack terrain, pine and aspen stands and great views of the Gore range along the way.

Once you hit the Wilderness sign, you can leave your bike and hike up for a fantastic view of the area, picking out Long's, Grey's, Torrey's, Quandary and even Holy Cross peaks. When you turn around it's a fast rolling descent with some tight switchbacks.

Contacts

Local Club: Summit County Mountain Bike Alliance

Land Manager: USFS - White River National Forest Office

Shared By:

Chris JD with improvements by Ian Mahaffey and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 28 votes

#1

in Silverthorne & Dillon

#1760

Overall
  3.6 from 28 votes
5 Star
18%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
29%
2 Star
11%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Silverthorne & Dillon

#333

in Colorado

#1,760

Overall
8 Views Last Month
7,373 Since Aug 16, 2013
Difficult Difficult
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0%
4%
15%
73%
8%
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Photos

Singletrack Flow Heaven? | “Ptarmingin Trail - Silverthone, CO”
Oct 30, 2018 near Dillon, CO
From the bench on Angler Mountain Trail looking south
Jul 19, 2015 near Silvert…, CO
The view from treeline is remarkable.
Jul 19, 2015 near Silvert…, CO
An incredible wildflower display in July
Jul 19, 2015 near Silvert…, CO
View of the Gore Range a little after the Wilderness Sign
Aug 16, 2013 near Silvert…, CO
Lovely aspen forest after the initial difficult, steep stretch of trail
Jul 19, 2015 near Silvert…, CO

6 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 78 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jun 14, 2024
Josh Summit
Trail clear and in good shape to sign at top. Loose and steep at bottom / top section after bench is steep and sustained. Worth the effort 11mi — 1h 45m
May 19, 2024
Nicholas Morvan
the initial uphill could ruin the right persons week. Going down is very enjoyable but lots of down trees towards the top
Sep 16, 2022
Ryan MD
Relentless climb. I hiked on and off as a breather. Great views throughout! Wish you could bike to the summit or closer. Downhill is very fast. — 2h 20m
Jun 8, 2022
Justin Greenbaum
Cleared until the bench. Snowy to the peak 2.5mi — 6h 00m
Sep 13, 2021
Justin Greenbaum
I typically ride back down the ptarmigan trail, but I decided to take the side trail down WHICH WAS F***ING AWESOME! Although not as many features 4.2mi — 18h 00m
Jul 16, 2021
Cody Cooksey
Jun 29, 2021
Josh Hicks
Rode it in mtb bike! 11.9mi — 1h 54m
May 28, 2021
Justin Greenbaum
The trail is in good condition, the first little creek has a small snow patch -about 5 feet- nothing to be worried about. 8.4mi — 12h 00m

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