Flett Glacier

Flett Glacier consists of two separate ice sections on the northwestern side of Mount Rainier at different elevations. The eastern and western lobes together form a continuous ice body in this mountain region.

The glacier was named after botanist John B. Flett, who made the first recorded climb of Little Tahoma in 1895. This naming honors his early exploration of the mountain region.

Mount Rainier and its glaciers hold deep meaning for Pacific Northwest tribes as sacred ancestral lands and spiritual places. The ice fields remain connected to the daily lives and traditions of these communities.

Access requires a park permit for Mount Rainier National Park, particularly during the warmer months from May through September. Visitors should prepare for high-altitude conditions and bring proper mountaineering gear.

The glacier feeds the Puyallup River system with meltwater, supplying water to the valleys and communities far below the mountain. This connection between high ice and lowland waterways shapes the landscape across the region.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 46.90610,-121.80200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:47