Max slope angle
30-45 Degrees
Primary aspect
South facing
Vertical descent
-8,400.00 ft (-2,560.32 m)
Distance
40.00 mi (64.37 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Glacier Peak requires endurance and self-sufficiency. Being the most remote of the Cascade Volcanoes, many spend much of the first day reaching base camp between White Pass and the White Chuck Glacier. The climbing is straightforward and technically moderate, but route finding, rockfall, and snow travel increase the difficulty of this route.

The climb begins with a 9-mile hike to White Pass through an old-growth cedar forest. Depending on the time of year, many snow chutes can make the final miles to White Pass slow-going. From White Pass, the route traces the ridge east of White Mountain to reach one of a few different passes that access the Glacier Basin area.

From White Pass, the route follows rolling snowfields for miles before gaining the White Chuck Glacier at around 8,400 feet. From here, climbers have an option of ascending Disappointment Peak, which is more direct but poses significant rockfall hazards. The more popular option is to skirt Disappointment Peak to the lookers right while keeping a safe distance from rockfall and avalanches coming from the upper slopes. After reaching the Cool Glacier, the route ascends the glacier to meet the Gerdine Ridge/Summit Ridge.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer

Parking Pass

National Forest Pass

Open Year-round

Yes

Days

3

Pros

Remote. Great skiing. Late season snow. Wildflowers.

Cons

None.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

2,140.00 ft (652.27 m)

Highest point

10,540.00 ft (3,212.59 m)

Total elevation gain

8,400.00 ft (2,560.32 m)

Net Elevation Gain

10,000.00 ft (3,048.00 m)

One-way approach distance

20.00 mi (32.19 km)

Features

Backcountry camping
Old-growth forest
Wildlife
Potable water
Geologically significant
Big vistas

Access

Vehicle

Typically multi-day

Yes

Shuttle required

No

Terrain type

Chutes

Snowmobiles allowed

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

I used to work with Ben. Great guy, great outdoorsman, superb photographer. Droppin’ in to say hi and share a video from my climb of Glacier as well to add to the beauty of his photos. https://youtu.be/RSOktuD4Z1o
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