Ptarmigan Peak, Mountain peak in Chugach State Park, Alaska

Ptarmigan Peak rises to approximately 4,900 feet in the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage and features two distinct summits connected by a ridge. Both tops form a recognizable landmark within this mountain range.

The peak has been a popular climbing destination since the early days of modern mountaineering near Anchorage. A serious accident in the 1990s prompted the establishment of improved safety protocols for climbers in the area.

The mountain's name comes from the ptarmigan, a grouse of Alaska's alpine tundra. Its north face, extremely steep, draws mountaineers, while most hikers take the gentler west ridge from Ptarmigan Pass. In winter the slopes are used for ski mountaineering.

Reaching the summit requires a multi-hour hike from a nearby trailhead with parking available at Glen Alps. Sturdy boots and weather-appropriate clothing are essential, as conditions change quickly at elevation.

In 1997, fourteen members of a University of Alaska Anchorage expedition fell 1,000 feet down the north face; two died and eleven were seriously injured. The north face is extremely steep and is sometimes attempted by mountaineers, while hikers usually reach the summit from the gentler south side, often via the west ridge from Ptarmigan Pass.