Whitman Glacier, Active glacier on Mount Rainier, Washington, United States
Whitman Glacier is an active glacier flowing southeast from Little Tahoma Peak on Mount Rainier's eastern side. The ice mass covers a broad area and displays typical features of an alpine glacier with visible crevasses and meltwater streams.
The glacier was named after Marcus Whitman, a 19th-century missionary whose expeditions explored the Pacific Northwest. Scientific observations show the glacier has retreated in area over recent decades like many other mountain glaciers in the region.
The glacier received its name from Marcus Whitman, commemorating the contributions of this missionary figure to the exploration of the Pacific Northwest region.
Hikers reach the glacier via the Wonderland Trail from Fryingpan Creek, traveling through alpine meadows and mountain forest. The best time to visit is between July and September when snow coverage decreases and the route is clearer.
A small snowfield connects this glacier with the nearby Fryingpan Glacier, creating an interconnected ice system on the mountain's eastern side. This connection shows how alpine glaciers interact at higher elevations and share their movement patterns.
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