Glacier Peak

Glacier Peak is a stratovolcano in Snohomish County, Washington, rising to 3,213 meters (10,541 feet) with twelve glaciers covering its slopes. Several false summits lead to the main peak, which is built from dacite and remains largely wrapped in snow.

Naturalist George Gibbs learned from Native Americans in 1850 about smoking activity at this mountain north of Mount Rainier. Later investigations revealed that the area has remained volcanically active for thousands of years.

The peak's designation reflects its prominent ice streams that remain visible from a distance and shape the surrounding landscape. Several Indigenous groups from the region regard this mountain as part of their ancestral territory and its natural connections.

Access to the trails requires backcountry permits and careful preparation, as the region lies very far from roads. From July to September, snow thins in some sections, but most routes remain demanding and require solid mountain experience.

Geological traces document here the largest explosive eruptions in the contiguous United States since the end of the last ice age. These eruptions left thick deposits that remain detectable today across much of the Pacific Northwest.

Location: Washington

Elevation above the sea: 3,213 m

Made from material: dacite

GPS coordinates: 48.11186,-121.11405

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:31