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10,541 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Glacier Peak
Glacier Peak is a 10,541 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the North Fork Sauk Trail: 33 mi, 10,961 ft of gain, Class 4.
Glacier Peak at a glance
- Elevation10,541 ft3,212 m
- RouteNorth Fork Sauk TrailClass 4
- Distance33 mi10,961 ft gain
- Time2 – 4 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun – Aug
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the North Fork Sauk Trail
From Darrington, Washington, take the Mountain Loop Highway and North Fork Sauk roads to the trailhead, then backpack roughly 10 to 14 miles to a high camp below the glaciers. This remote stratovolcano sees far fewer climbers than its neighbors. The Sitkum Glacier route is Class 2 glacier travel needing rope, crampons, and crevasse rescue skills. Plan a multi-day trip because of the long approach. Snow bridges weaken by late summer. A wilderness permit and Northwest Forest Pass are required, and solid navigation is essential on the sprawling glaciers.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (65–75 L)
Water
Water filter
First aid kit
Whistle
Offline maps- Paper map
- Compass
GPS device
Satellite communicator
Headlamp
Power bank
Emergency bivy
Mountaineering boots
Gaiters
Crampons
Ice axe
Helmet
Rope
Harness
Carabiners
Belay device
Trekking poles
Base layer
Midlayer
Insulated jacket
Hardshell jacket
Hardshell pants
Warm hat
Midweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves
Buff
Sun hat
Glacier glasses
Goggles
Sunscreen
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
What to watch for
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Avalanches
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Steep exposure
- High altitude
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
- Remote location
- Stream crossing
- Isolation
- Spotty cell reception
Quests with Glacier Peak
Cascade Volcanoes
Lower 48 UltrasFrequently asked questions
How tall is Glacier Peak?
Glacier Peak is 10,541 feet (3,212 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Glacier Peak?
The North Fork Sauk Trail is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 33 miles with 10,961 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Glacier Peak?
Most climbers plan 2 – 4 days for the North Fork Sauk Trail, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Glacier Peak dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Glacier Peak?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the North Fork Sauk Trail for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
When is the best time to climb Glacier Peak?
The usual climbing window is June to August. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Glacier Peak with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list