Cowlitz Glacier

Cowlitz Glacier is an ice formation on Mount Rainier's southeast slope that flows toward the Cowlitz River drainage below. The ice mass sits at an elevation of about 10,700 feet and creates a prominent feature in this section of the park.

The glacier is a remnant from the last ice age when larger ice masses covered the region. Over time the ice has retreated and settled into its current, smaller form.

The glacier takes its name from the Cowlitz people, an indigenous group of the Mount Rainier region first recorded in Lewis and Clark journals from 1805. This naming connects the ice formation to the indigenous heritage of the area.

The best views of the glacier can be found from several spots along Panorama Point, the Skyline Trail, or the Backbone Ridge pullout on Stevens Canyon Road. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and wear sturdy footwear.

A dark streak runs through the middle of the glacier where it merges with a neighboring ice mass at Cathedral Rock. This visual feature is often overlooked by hikers even though it stands out clearly from higher vantage points.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 46.83060,-121.71700

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26