Glacier Peak

The most remote of the Washington big 5 volcanoes. Requires approximately 40 miles round trip, at least 30 of those with a full pack if you’re doing a multi day tour. This is easily the most beautiful Washington adventure I have done, but it is not for the faint of heart. It will test your limits. Crevasses are reported to be huge at this point in time on the glaciers. I would recommend waiting until next spring for a summit depending on your experience level.

The forest around Glacier Peak is one of the most stunning hike I've ever done especially around late September.

In all, we covered about 65 fairly gruelling miles, but the rugged beauty of the GPW made it worth the effort. The park is far too beautiful for me to do it any justice, so I'll skip trying to describe it. But I'll say this. When I set out at the start I had no idea what I was in for. I've gone on many backpacking trips over the years, but none qualify amongst the greatest experiences of my life as my trip to the Glacier Peak Wilderness does.

I climbed that beautiful mountain summer 1971.gorgeous views, challenging going up the ice with spikes on my boots to get to the top. A favorite life experience.

Amazing views！By 7.31.2022，crevasse is non-issue！

Glacier Peak volcano is a nice mountain volcano to photograph.

❄❄❄❄❄

Glacier Peak with a spectacular view from Mt. Pilchuck.

This is the lowest and most remote volcano in Washington. I've been up this mountain three times and love it so I'm reviewing, even though the last time up was 2020. This hike is beautiful, and I suggest taking your time, and staying two nights on the way in, and one night on the way out simply to enjoy the surroundings. Plus, it's nearly a 33 mile round trip. Take the North Fork Sauk Trail to the PCT. First 5 miles are nice and easy, then a couple of miles of seemingly endless switch backs. A short bit on the PCT and a nice camping spot to the right. Second Day is a very nice hike into the mountain and to the high camp. Third morning is the summit approach. The trail is obvious. Depending on the time of the year, you may need to rope up as it can be quite crevassed in the later summer. Definitely recommend ice axe and crampons. We walked out and peered into some deep wide crevasses, anchoring our selves with rope. This is one of my favorite climbs because it's really not hard, just long on the way in. Very beautiful but weather can change very fast and on one summit it turned to a thunder storm. Still, if you like to hike and climb, this one is a must. Bear canisters recommended, though I've never seen a bear here. No permit required, just Northwest Forest Pass for parking. Go do it!

Glacier Peak is notorious mainly for how remote it is. Many people in Seattle have probably seen it on a clear day, and either not known it's name or mislabeled it something else. It has one of the longest approaches of any major peak in the NW (along with Mt Olympus). But, man, it's a gorgeous hike in! Terrain is continually changing. In the forest, in alpine meadows, over rock, on glaciers, at the summit! Lots of gorgeous places to put a tent on the way in, I'd be worth going to even if you're not going to summit.