Emmons Glacier, Northeast glacier in Mount Rainier, United States.
Emmons Glacier is a large glacier on the northeast side of Mount Rainier in Washington State. It sits on steep slopes and shows visible crevasses and ice towers that point to its ongoing movement.
The glacier takes its name from Samuel Franklin Emmons, who took part in a scientific survey of Mount Rainier in 1870. Since then, the ice has retreated noticeably, as have many glaciers across the region.
The glacier is a popular climbing route for those heading to the summit of Mount Rainier. Along the way, deep crevasses and ice towers are clearly visible, showing how active the ice remains today.
The glacier is best seen from the Emmons Vista viewpoint, which is reached on foot from the Sunrise area. Clear days offer the best view, as cloud cover around Mount Rainier's peak is common.
A rockfall from nearby Little Tahoma Peak covered the lower part of the glacier with a thick layer of stone debris in 1963. That layer shields the ice beneath from direct sun and slows melting in that section.
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