Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Glacier Peak is the most remote peak we climb in the Cascade Range. No road penetrates within eight miles of the mountain and many approach hikes are more than 10 miles long. The fall floods of 2003 destroyed many road and trail bridges in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, and many have not yet been rebuilt. At present, the Cool Glacier route, once considered long, has become the most accessible route.
Activity Notes
The Glacier Peak Wilderness is a beautiful place that should be savored. This is an out-and-back climb at a fairly leisurely five-day pace, with only one day of technical climbing.
Day 1: Meet at TH at 9:00 AM. Hike North Fork Sauk River Trail to White Pass. It's about 9 miles of hiking on a well-maintained trail.
Day 2: White Pass to Glacier Gap. The day starts out on a trail, then becomes cross-country travel across a big glacial basin. The glacier has completely receded from the basin in recent years.
Day 3: Summit Day. Expect rope team travel on the Cool glacier.
Day 4: Glacier Gap to Mackinaw Shelter. This will be the longest day mileage-wise but it's all downhill.
Day 5: Mackinaw Shelter to TH, ~5+ mile hike out, then drive home. We should be back to our cars by 12:00 noon at the latest.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 270 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 5 hours |
| General Route Info | Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District Office 360-436-1155 Summitpost https://www.summitpost.org/white-chuck-gerdine-cool-glaciers/166764 |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Interesting Features | Glacier(s) |
| Relevant Books | Selected Climbs in the Cascades, Vol.II by Nelson and Potterfield Cascade Alpine Guide: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass by Fred Beckey Summit Guide to the Cascade Volcanoes by Jeff Smoot |
| Relevant Maps | Glacier Peak, USGS 7 minute series Green Trails, #112 (Glacier Peak) Google map https://goo.gl/maps/5Qj7vVNuanK2 Some nice GPS tracks and topo maps by Karl Helser: karl-helser.com |
| Awards Qualified | 16 Major NW Peaks |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
