NOTE: location is approximate, and the GPS coordinates are not precise. This is a very rare species and should be treated as such. It should be considered highly endangered, despite its entire range being within the designated Eagle Cap Wilderness area, global warming and the resultant climate change being an existential threat to its survival, which is likely dependent on sufficient, reliable, and well-timed snowmelt.
What an incredible encounter! I was just past Panorama Point, searching for White-tailed Ptarmigan when I turned around and saw it running up the snow towards me. It stopped and stared at me for a minute, before bouncing up the snow and continuing up the ridge following before going up and over the ridge and out of view. I got some great photos and took a few videos as well. Quite a surreal experience.