Ptarmigan Pass

Total Miles
11.0

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

We like to do this Jeep trail clockwise with McAllister Pass starting over on Shrine Pass. The first half mile is in Wearyman Creek. Be careful if the water is high. Ptarmigan Pass spends a lot of time in the trees, with a short section of open views at the pass. There are a few minor challenges north of the pass and a graded road south of the pass. If you also drive McCallister, make sure to take the spur to the top of Resolution Mountain. Great views. Lots of open meadows after you come back down.

Photos of Ptarmigan Pass

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Difficulty

Mostly a steep dirt road with great views and a few ledges

Technical Rating

Status Reports

Came in from route 24 (South Side) this section is rocky in sections but we made it to the summit in about 20-30 minutes. From the summit to McAllister Gulch can be rocky and rough in sections but still didn’t take us much more then 20-30 minutes. From McAllister Gulch to Shrine pass took us nearly 45 minutes. This section of the trail should be labeled blue (Moderate) I have some pictures of the easier sections above. We have a Tacoma with a 4inch lift and 33’s luckily we have skids because I approached a rock wrong and was sitting in the front diff skid. We were able to navigate with a spotter to get over the obstacles.

Started in the north side and it is very tight, rocky, and very gnarly for the overall rating. We were in a Full size truck, but still not a 3/10. The south side of the summit, super easy, mellow, basically gravel/rock road.

Confirming what the previous reports stated. From the top, Ptarmigan to Wearyman Road (Shrine Pass), it is a solid 5, maybe a 6. Vehicles trying to pass in some sections is impossible, forcing a reverse back to a section where it is. Stock, or near-stock 4x4, be warned: you may damage something on this section of this trail. From McAllister Gulch Road to the pass, it's cake. I requested onX to split this route. The southern section is a 2, and the northern is a 5.

The trail from Shrine Pass to the top is very rough. I would rate this section at a 5. There are large obstacles with water crossings and up to 2 foot drops. The trail going down from the top into Camp Hale is much easier, probably rated a 2.

Ptarmigan Pass can be accessed by the following ride types:

High-Clearance 4x4
SUV
SxS (60")
ATV (50")
Dirt Bike

Ptarmigan Pass Map

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