Emmons Glacier - Mt. Rainier, Washington - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

The following excerpt is from "Washington: A Guide to the Evergreen State":

EMMONS GLACIER, largest in the United States, blankets the eastern slope of the mountain with formidable ice cascades five and one-half miles long and almoste two miles wide. Its tremendous pressure has broken down part of the summit crater rim. This ice field was named for Samuel F. Emmons, geologist and mountaineer, who made the second ascent of the peak in 1870.

This book was, of course, written before Alaska achieved statehood so at the time Emmons was the largest glacier in the U.S. Now, however it is the largest in the contiguous states, as Alaska has glaciers larger than Emmons. Emmons is one of 26 glaciers on Mt. Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the contiguous states. It is sandwiched between Frying Pan Glacier on its left and Winthrop Glacier on its right.

At the Sunrise area of the park there is a short trail called the Emmons Vista Trail which has spectacular views of the glacier. However, if you are willing to do walk a couple of miles, you can take a trail out of White River Campground that will take you right to the toe of the glacier.

The Sunrise area of Mt Rainier National Park is only open from mid June through October due to its higher altitude than the other visitor areas.

Book: Washington Page Number(s) of Excerpt: 588 Year Originally Published: 1941

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