Glacier Peak is one of the five volcanoes of the state of Washington, and is the highest mountain in Snohomish county. It has 7498 feet of prominence and ranks 5th highest on the Bulgar List (Washington Top 100). It is located in the North Central part of the Cascades which it has a wilderness named after this mountain which is called the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The Native Americans once called this peak Takobia which would translate to "The Great Parent". This peak is classified as a stratovolcanoe (Composite) which there has not been any major activity in 300 years. This peak goes unnoticed by much of the people of the Northwest due to it being so far in the crest of the Cascades, its distance from the nearest town, and the fact that its access roads have been washed out making all the approaches to its base a long hike in. Glacier Peak can be seen from many locations along the Mountain Loop Highway, North Cascades, Highway 2 area, and many other high points through out the state. But this peak is often hidden from view from many low land areas which is another big reason it goes unnoticed by many. The summit offers amazing views of many of the great peaks of Washington, as well as a view of seeing far across the state.
Evidence of volcanic activity is clearly visible in the pyroclastic flows, ash deposits, and multiple hot springs. As Washington State's most remote volcanic peak, Glacier Peak is completely surrounded by wilderness. Access requires at minimum 10 miles of hiking just to reach a "base camp".
Approaches
From the West Side Many of the West side access points to Glacier Peak have closed recently due to massive flooding that occurred in October 2003. Hardest hit were the White Chuck and Suiattle River trails. See the following sites for more info: Seattle P-I Report
North Fork Sauk River Trail #649
Distance
8.2 miles hike one way to White Pass (~5 miles due south of Glacier Peak Summit)
Current Status
Sloan Creek Road is accessible during normal summer season. Check Road Report for latest conditions.
North Fork Sauk Trail is open.Check Trail Report for latest conditions.
Access
Drive the Mountain Loop Highway 16 miles east of Darrington. Turn left on Sloan Creek/North Fork Sauk Road #49. Park at the North Fork Sauk Trailhead at 6.7 miles.
7 miles hike one way to intersection with Pacific Crest Trail on Glacier Peak's West side.
Current Status
White Chuck Road closed indefinitely at 1.4 miles due to bridge washout.
White Chuck Trail has heavy damage and travel is closed officially.
Access
From Mountain Loop Highway 10.5 miles east of Darrington, follow White Chuck River Road 11 miles to road end and trailhead. Before the 10/03 flooding, the White Chuck River Trail was the shortest and most popular route into the area.
Notes
Prior to the 10/03 flooding, this was the approach of choice for most climbs including Sitkum Glacier, and Kennedy Glacier. It is now likely that the trail will need to be completely rerouted.
Suiattle River Trail #784
Distance
14 miles hike one way to Vista Ridge Camp (by way of Milk Creek Trail)
Current Status
Suiattle River Road closed indefinitely due to bridge washout.
Suiattle River Trail also closed due to heavy damage.
Access
From Highway 530 north of Darrington, take Suiattle River Road #26 to the road end and the trailhead.
From the East Side
White River Trail
Distance
14 miles hike one way to White Pass (~5 miles due south of Glacier Peak Summit)
Current Status
White River Road is accessible during normal summer season. Contact the Lake Wenatchee Ranger station at (509) 763-3103 for road conditions.
White River Trail is open during normal summer season. Contact Ranger Station for more info.
Access
Take the White River Road # 6400 NW from the Lake Wenatchee Area to the road end.
Notes
This is an East-Side alternative to the North Fork Sauk approach.
Getting There
Alpenglow over GP
Directions to the North Sauk Trailhead (Standard Route):
From Seattle: Drive North on I-5 until you get to Arlington which you take a left at exit 208 onto highway 530. The highway briefly takes a left in down town Arlington onto highway 9 which a few seconds later be sure to turn right back onto highway 530 east to Darrington. From Darrington turn right onto the Mountain Loop Highway (South) for 16 miles which on your left you will see Forest Road 49. If you went past the Bedal bridge, you have gone too far. From here it is around 7 miles of driving on gravel road, near the end be sure to take a left turn which takes you to the trailhead
From Granite Falls: Head east onto highway 92 until you get near the end of the road which here you see many signs on a post. Be sure to take a left here onto the Mountain Loop Highway for about 37 miles. After passing the Bedal bridge take a right onto Forest Road 49 which takes you all the way to the North Sauk Trailhead. But be sure to take a left around 7 miles from the turn off from the Mountain Loop Highway.
For easy directions from your location to the trailhead, check it out on google maps which all you have to do is put in your address.
* White Chuck and Suiattle approaches are not currently accessible. See Approaches section for details.
Red Tape
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to Park at all of the trailheads for Glacier Peak. The good news is that there are no fees nor permits required for climbing or camping on or around Glacier Peak. Recreation passes can be found at Ranger Stations of the Pacific Northwest, local sporting goods stores, and of course online from Discovernw.org.
Currently due to all the washouts it is safe to say that the official standard route for this mountain is the South side which is accessed via North Fork Sauk River. Unfortunately as of now (July 28, 2011) the standard route is currently washed out making the approach around 7 extra miles of walking the road, it is expected to be fixed later this year as seen here.
The trail starts out as a gentle hike through the woods which in summer time can have the feeling like a jungle because of the heat, humidity, large trees, and the vegetation that sometimes grows over the edges of the trail. After about 2 miles you reach a junction, be sure to go left (straight), the junction to the right goes up to Pilot Ridge and Johnson Mountain. For much of the traveling the trail remains relatively flat until you are 5 miles from the trailhead which this is where the Mackinaw shelter is. This is a great place to take a break, filter water, or camp depending on how you plan your trip. Immediately after the shelter the trail begins a series of switch backs up the valley, every time I've been though this spot it was always hot during the summer time. As you get higher, you get views of Sloan Peak, Cadet, Mount Johnson, Indian Head, White Mountain, and many other peaks come into view. After traversing the slope of White Mountain you eventually are at White Pass which is about 9 miles (5409 feet high).
From White Pass go left to traverse the East Side of White Mountain, in summer time there is a climbers path that goes over the ridge which goes back into Snohomish County. From here head down into the basin which you can either traverse the bottom of Kololo Peaks or go right through the basin which is recommended when snow covered to save the effort of traversing.
The Route to the Summit
Glacier Peak in the Morning
Traveling on the Gerdine Glacier
Looking Down from the Summit
Always Remember that 80% of all mountaineering accidents happen on the way down. So even though this mountain is not very technical, watch out for rock fall, crevasses, and watch for bad weather.
More coming later...
When To Climb
GP during September
Glacier Peak is recommended May through October. The best month for climbing this mountain is July because it has the best weather, lesser chances of avalanche danger, and later in season has more crevasses on many of the routes up.
Camping
There are quite a few options for camping along the way to Glacier Peak. There is camping at the trail head, Mackinaw Shelter, near White Pass, Glacier Basin, and even on Glacier Peak itself. The most commonly used camping places are Glacier Gap and a quarter of a mile from White Pass to the South.
If attempting the Sitkum Glacier route, several fantastic campsites exist in "Boulder Basin", which is accessed via a steep climbers track off of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Near White Chuck Glacier
Camping at White Pass
White Pass Below
Glacier Gap
Mountain Conditions
For Weather information check in with the Noaa Forecast.
For the current Road Conditions for the standard route to Glacier Peak check with the Forest Service for information about the North Sauk trailhead conditions. As of July 18, 2011 there is a washout at the start of the road which is expected to be repaired some time in the fall.
It is advised that you know basic crevasse rescue including z-pulley and self rescue with prusiks or ascenders. If you do not have any of this experience there are many organizations and clubs to learn this. One of the many organizations you could join is The Mountaineers. Before attempting this mountain you should be comfortable with using a ice axe, crampons, and going up semi steep snow slopes. This is not the place for an inexperienced hiker/climber.
For those who are experienced but need partners be sure to post on Nwhikers.net, CascadeClimbers, or here on SP's Plans and Partners Section. Be sure that your going with experienced partners, I've climbed with people who pretend they know what they are doing which endangered everyone on the team.
Like many mountaineers, for my training I climbed many mountains in the area to stay in good shape for this peak. A few peaks for training I would recommend would be Mount Baker, Eldorado Peak, and even Mount Rainier. For those who cannot get into the mountains I would recommend getting into running/jogging, cycling, walking around long distances around town with a pack, what ever gets your legs in good shape for this one.
Wildlife and Flowers
Glacier Peak has many different flowers and wildlife in the area, although on the mountain itself the flowers are limited due to its rugged environment.
Showy Jacob's Ladder
Glacier Peak with Flowers
Tiger Lillie
Marmot
Aerial Photography of Glacier Peak
Frostbite Ridge
West Side
Glacier Peak's Summit
North Face
East Face
Standard Route
Alpenglow, Sunset, Sunrise
GP from Mt. Maude
From Minor's Ridge
View of Bonanza
Taken from Cowboy Mountain
Dawn on Glacier Peak
Sunset on the Way
Sunrise Panorama from 9,000 Feet
In Memoriam: Kennedy Hot Springs
Sadly, with the October 2003 flooding came an end to a favorite resting point for climbers and hikers in the Glacier Peak area: Kennedy Hot Springs. Massive mudslides in the area buried the springs, campground, and ranger cabin.
Ira Spring and Harvey Manning described Kennedy Hot Springs in 100 Hikes in Washington's Glacier Peak Region as "A tublike pool...just big enough for three or four people who don't believe in the germ theory of disease." However I'll always remember the springs as a rare treat on the way to/from a great climb.
Fortunately, there is a second option for the hard-core: Gamma Hot Springs on the mountain's Eastern side. Unfortunately, access to Gamma requires a 30+ mile round-trip hike w/ 3 miles of bushwhacking up Gamma Creek.
If you have any suggestions for this page or any information you have, feel free to send me a Message and I would be willing to add it to the page with giving credits to the author. Also if you have any images that you feel deserve a place on this page, also feel free to send me a request.
Mountain Loop Highway > Glacier Peak
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to Park at all of the trailheads for Glacier Peak. The good news is that there are no fees nor permits required for climbing or camping on or around Glacier Peak. Recreation passes can be found at Ranger Stations of the Pacific Northwest, local sporting goods stores, and of course online from 
