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WHIDBEY ISLAND  WASHINGTON  USA

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GLACIER BASIN

     Have you ever considered climbing Mount Rainier?  If you have then you have probably considered the route through Glacier Basin, over Inter Glacier, and on to Camp Schurman.  The approach to Glacier Basin is from the White River Campground on the road to Sunrise, on the east side of the Park.  Parking is plentiful at the campground.  The trail follows a steadily climbing but not steep old mining road for more than half the way to the meadow.  There is a side trail about a third of the way up that leads out to a close up view of  Emmons Glacier, the largest mass of ice in the 48 states.  Just a bit farther up the trail switches back to the right, leaves the old road, and begins climbing in earnest.  The trail splits the camp in another mile or so and continues through the meadow to the icy reaches beyond.

     The area around the camp is very interesting.  Many years ago there were mining interests here and there remains some old relics and an abandoned mine shaft.  The Park Service cautions against entering the mine but I realize further warnings are useless.  If you are going to go in you will regardless of what I say.  Just be careful.  I am not certain of the status of the area now but up until just a few years ago part of the old mining claim was still active thus a portion of Glacier Basin was or is privately owned.  Even so, there has been no active mining here for decades.

     This is a lovely but somewhat overused place. After realizing the volume of hikers and climbers this trail sees every year it is a wonder it remains as pristine as it is.  It can be chilly as well.  Even on warm sunny days, cold air sinking from the icy heights creates a breeze that will numb the extremities and chill the bones.  You will need some heavy clothing for the mountain night.  Strike off toward the mountain along the climber's track.  The trail climbs steeply along the crest of the lateral moraine left by the Inter Glacier in a younger, colder time.  From the top of the moraine you may cut across the lower slope of the glacier then turn directly up the mountain to Steamboat Prow, or you may wish to climb the rocky slope to St. Elmo's Pass.  The latter climb is usually done by climbers headed for Winthrop Glacier, Curtis or Liberty Ridges, or Willis Wall.

     To preserve what remains, please stay to the maintained trail or walk on rock and snow.  The camp is comfortable and provides solitude even when crowded.  A solar toilet is a short walk from camp.