Jones Mountain/Ptarmigan Lake

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4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Buena Vista, Colorado (Chaffee County)
Last Updated: 10/29/2023
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Trail Information

Highlights

The Cottonwood Creek drainage just west of Buena Vista is an area rich with mining history, alpine lakes, wildlife and an opportunity to travel off the beaten path in Central Colorado. The Jones Mountain/Ptarmigan Lake trail offers unique access to Ptarmigan Lake from an off-road trail and the ascent up Jones Mountain will not disappoint . You will travel to 12,500' of elevation, high on the side of the mountain with incredible views from the backside of Mount Princeton and the South Cottonwood Creek valley below. Make sure to bring your fishing gear as Ptarmigan Lake is a short hike and has a good population of Native Cutthroat trout.

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Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (36)
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Official Crew
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40300
Impassable
Visited: 10/29/2023

Winter has fallen on the Colorado Mountains, closing the trail for the season.
Open
Visited: 09/24/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I feel like there are more spots that you cannot pass than spots you can. Still an awesome and beautiful trail!!! Some narrow roads with some steep drop offs in sections but nothing too crazy. Beautiful views and definitely less traveled, or at least when we went this time of year (end of Sept). Road is currently completely clear of any snow. Will repeat!!!
Trail Review: Jones Mountain/Ptarmigan Lake - Tamara Gold
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15600
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/06/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Easy trail that is surprisingly smooth in some places so it only took me about 25 minutes to get to the top from Mineral Basin. The views from 12,500’ were beautiful with a few 14ers off in the distance.
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Official Crew
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15550
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/31/2023

Open to the top now
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Official Crew
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40300
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/10/2023

Open to above the lake hiking trail. Two snowfields remain just before the overlook.
Trail Review: Jones Mountain/Ptarmigan Lake - Marcus Trusty
Trail Review: Jones Mountain/Ptarmigan Lake - Marcus Trusty
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