Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

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Glacier Peak Wilderness Area

The Glacier Peak Wilderness, created by Congress in the original 1964 wilderness legislation, is located within portions of Chelan, Snohomish, and Skagit Counties in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The area, 572,000 acres in size, 35 miles long and 20 miles wide, is characterized by heavily forested stream courses, steep sided valleys, and dramatic glacier crowned peaks. Forest vegetation is comprised of true firs, spruce, and hemlock as well as stands of pine on its eastern slopes. Various species of wildlife inhabit the area and include deer, elk, black bear, mountain goat, cougar, marten, and lynx. Smaller animals, such as field mice are in constant attendance and can be almost certain to visit your camp during the night. The high mountain lakes often give good catches of fish during their ice-free months. The primary fishery is cutthroat trout, however, other species do exist.

At 10,541 feet, Glacier Peak is the dominant geologic feature of the area. No roads approach the mountain, and one must hike many miles through extremely rough terrain to reach its base. Hikers can reach the volcano from the west via the White Chuck Valley, or the Suiattle River Valley; from the east, it may be approached from the western tip of Lake Chelan.

Most of Glacier Peak's cone was built by relatively quiet flows of dacite lava. The last eruption 12,000 years ago, however, spread ash as far away as eastern Idaho; its violence comparable to the well known Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980.

Recreation opportunities as well as solitude abound with more than 450 miles of trail and many places where you can enjoy cross-country travel. Because of the popularity of the area there are some restrictions in place in order to protect its unique wilderness character.

Most years the Wilderness is still buried under 10-20 feet of snow in May. Usually most trails and passes are snow free by mid-August, but this varies from year to year. Most of the main trails are maintained once a year, lesser used trails are maintained about every 2 to 3 years. Snow and cold rain can occur in mid-summer.

USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 06 January 2004 at 11:25:01 EST