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This small cabin is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is primarily intended as an emergency shelter. The cabin includes a water catchment system for collecting rain and melting snow; water should be treated before cooking or drinking. There is no stove in this shelter cabin, as it is intended only as a shield to the weather. Expect to camp at least one night along this 27mile trail.
Ptarmigan Creek Shelter Cabin is located approximately 10 trail miles (6.2 km) from Eagle Summit Wayside on the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail in a saddle just below Pinnell Mountain.
Large parking area usually well plowed in the winter. Well marked trail that is usually dry. The two water crossings have foot bridges.
Nice views, rough footing. The trail is mud studded with stones - not too bad when the ground is frozen (though frost heaves can crumble underfoot, so watch your ankles). After you crest the first ridge and get down in the valley the highway sounds cut off and it's amazingly peaceful.
Bare-bones trailhead, typical for the region (no facilities - look at the municipal park just down the road for trash cans, playground, or restrooms) Single trail leads up through boreal forest for a few miles before entering more alpine terrain in the last couple of miles. Some good views of Knik Arm in the first couple of miles. Lots of wildflowers and berry bushes, though there are clearly easier places to find berries in season. Views up top are nice but not spectacular. End of trail is a good jumping-off point for climb up Roundtop or Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks.
