Palmer Glacier
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| Palmer Glacier | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Oregon, U.S. |
| Coordinates | |
| Length | 3 km (est) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
The Palmer Glacier is a glacier located on the upper slopes of Mount Hood in the U.S. state of Oregon.[1] It is on the south side of the mountain ranging in elevation from about 6,200 to 9,300 ft (1,900 to 2,830 m), and was named for Joel Palmer, an Oregon pioneer. Palmer Glacier is the most well-known of the twelve glaciers on the mountain, and is a popular destination for snow sport enthusiasts. Some of the lower part is within the Timberline ski area, and can be accessed by Sno-Cat or by chairlift, conditions permitting. The rest is in Mount Hood Wilderness.
The glacier is a remnant of the massive glaciers that formed during the last ice age, and is the only location in North America that provides skiing and snowboarding all twelve months of the year.
Silcox Hut, a warming hut for climbers and skiers, is located near the base of the glacier, about 1,000 vertical feet (305 meter) up from Timberline Lodge near the upper terminal of the Magic Mile ski lift.
The glacier is bounded on the east by a ridge shared with White River Canyon (which contains White River Glacier) and on the west by Zigzag Glacier and Zigzag Canyon, the source of the Zigzag River. The upper glacier narrows to a vertex near the base of Steel Cliff. The lower extent of the glacier varies significantly seasonally, varying in length by almost two miles (3.2 km), where it might better be referred to as a snow field. Palmer Glacier is part of the White River watershed.[2]
During the summer ski season (approximately May through September), the area at upper half of the Palmer Chairlift is divided into lanes for the same reason as lap swimming pools. The lanes nearest the lift are open to the public; the others are allocated to ski and snowboard camps, coaches and other organizations. The lanes are visible in the photo.
[edit] See also
[edit] References cited
- ^ Palmer Glacier, USGS Mount Hood South (OR) Topo Map. Topozone. Retrieved on February 20, 2007.
- ^ Carolyn L. Driedger and Paul M. Kennard (1986). Ice Volumes on Cascade Volcanoes: Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Three Sisters and Mount Shasta. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1365. USGS. Retrieved on February 26, 2007.
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