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Coleman Pinnacle is a fun destination off the Ptarmigan Ridge trail. It looks tough but it is an easy scramble. The views are not much better since the trail below is so darn scenic. Just getting to the parking area at Artist's Point is a worthy trip. The views are fantastic from the start. For a bit of a cross country adventure, consider going all the way to Kaiser Peak. The further you go, the closer you get to Mt. Baker and all the ice of the Park Glacier.

Distance: 4 miles +1 for Kaiser
Summit Elevations: 6,403 and 6,527 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet +450 more for Kaiser
Access: Paved

Take the Mount Baker Highway (SR-542) east from Bellingham. Follow the highway to the Mount Baker Ski Area and beyond to the end at Artists Point. Snow can stay on the road until August so do it then if you want to avoid crossing steep slopes.

Route:

WA Hikes & Climbs

Access:

The Ptarmigan Ridge trail takes off from the large parking lot toward Mt. Baker. The trail goes up and down but generally tries to traverse the side of Table Mountain. After 3 miles you are under the Coleman Pinnacle. Once on the west side or the south, climb boulders up to the summit ridge. Scramble up.

Tomyhoi Peak

Yellow Aster Butte

American Border Peak

Canadian Border Peak

Mt. Larrabee

Goat Mountain

Point 6891

Coleman Pinnacle from the trail east of the peak (Coleman does not have 300' prominence)

The view north from the trailhead parking lot

Goat Mountain from Artists Point

Mount Shuksan from the trail

Mount Baker Ski Area

Coleman Pinnacle, Mount Baker & Kaiser Peak

Mount Shuksan

Kaiser Peak from the east in the Wells Creek drainage

Waterfall in the Wells Creek drainage

Table Mountain

Barometer Mountain

Meadows

Table Mountain

Looking north to Barometer Mountain, then Excelsor and beyond

Mount Baker

Mount Baker and Coleman Pinnacle

Coleman Pinnacle in front of Mt. Baker, shot from near start

Along the trail below Table Mountain

Looking down Swift Creek