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| Carbon Glacier |
|
The terminal of the Carbon Glacier.
|
| Type |
Mountain glacier |
| Location |
Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates |
46°53′71″N, 121°46′27″W |
| Area |
3.1 square miles (8.02 km²) |
| Length |
5.7 miles (9.17 km) |
| Thickness |
700 feet (213 m) |
| Terminus |
Moraine |
| Status |
Retreating |
Carbon Glacier is located on the north slope of Mount Rainier in the U.S. state of Washington and is the source of the Carbon River. The snout at the glacier terminal moraine is at about 3,500 feet (1,066 m) above sea level, making it the lowest-elevation glacier in the contiguous United States. The glacier also has the greatest length (5.7 miles/9.17 km), thickness (700 feet/213 m) and volume (0.2 cubic miles/0.83 km³) of any U.S. glacier outside of Alaska.
Carbon Glacier is accessible from the northwest Carbon River entrance of Mount Rainier National Park, just outside the town of Carbonado, Washington. The glacier is accessible on foot via a 4 mile (6.4 km) hike from the Ipsut Creek Campground. The trail is currently washed out in several areas due to flooding of the Carbon River, however there are reroutes clearly marked. Approximately 2 miles (3 km) from the camp ground there is a wobbly but structurally sound suspension bridge that must be crossed in order to reach the glacier.
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