South Cascade Glacier

South Cascade Glacier is an alpine glacier in the North Cascades Range that flows directly into South Cascade Lake and the Skagit River. The ice field sits in a high mountain basin surrounded by steep peaks and rocky terrain.

The glacier became the focus of systematic monitoring by the United States Geological Survey starting in 1957, creating the longest continuous glacial measurement record in North America. This decades-long research effort has tracked ice changes through decades of climate shifts.

The glacier serves as a fundamental research site for scientists studying climate patterns, contributing essential data to global environmental research programs.

Visitors can see the glacier best from hiking trails through the Glacier Peak Wilderness area, with the clearest views during summer months. Start early in the day and bring weather protection, as mountain conditions change quickly.

The ice field has shrunk noticeably since monitoring began in the 1950s, with exposed rock faces and retreated edges now clearly visible where ice once covered the terrain. This ongoing change makes it a striking example of how mountain glaciers respond to shifting climate patterns.