Glacier Peak Wilderness: Okanogan-Wenatchee

The 566,057 acre Glacier Peak Wilderness is located in the northern Cascade Mountains of Washington State bordering Stephen Mather Wilderness to the north and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness to the south. At 10,541 feet, Glacier Peak is the dominant geologic feature of the area. It’s the most remote major volcanic peak in the Cascade Range and has more active glaciers than any other place in the lower forty-eight states. Glacier Peak is a volcanic cone of basalt, pumice, and ash which erupted during periods of heavy glaciation.

The area is characterized by heavily forested stream courses, steep-sided valleys, and rugged glacier covered peaks. Forest vegetation is comprised of true firs, spruce, and hemlock, as well as stands of pine on its eastern slopes. Various species of wildlife inhabit the area and include deer, elk, bear, mountain goat, cougar, marten, and lynx. This area also provides habitat for wolverines and gray wolves. The primary fishery is cutthroat trout. Numerous creeks cut through the valleys from their sharp drainages. Other bodies of water include more than 200 lakes, many unnamed and tremendously difficult to access. Snows can accumulate to depths of 45 feet on the west side of the crest.

The ~450 miles on as many as 100 trails vary from relatively easy hiking on maintained footpaths to strenuous and seldom used old animal trails. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) follows the crest through the area for about 60 miles. The Suiattle River Trail acts as the main route from the west side, a pathway that travels 10.8 miles and joins the PCT. Above timberline, the land opens up for cross-country travel. The Ptarmigan Traverse, probably the most famous un-trailed route, combines rock climbing and glacier travel across 15 miles of the northern section of the Wilderness.

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General Information

With routes on 140 peaks and faces with rates among the best in the United States, this Wilderness is a popular destination for mountain climbers’. Blue Mountain’s 700-foot granite face routes are rated as high as 5.10. Other faces in the Wilderness exceed 1,000 feet.

Note: Due to the popularity of the area there are special restrictions in place throughout the Wilderness in order preserve the ecological integrity of the region. Help protect your wilderness by following wilderness regulations and using Leave No Trace principles.

• Key access points: Trail and trailhead information

Topo Maps

Agnes mountain, Benchmark Mountain, Cascade Pass, Clark Mountain, Dome Peak, Downey Mountain, Gamma Peak, Glacier Peak East, Glacier Peak West, Goode Mountain, Holden, Huckleberry Mountain, Illabot Peaks, Lime Mountain, Lucerne, Mount David, Mount Lyall, Mount Pugh, Pinnacle Mountain, Poe Mountain, Prairie Mountain, Saska Peak, Schaefer Lake, Sloan Peak, Snowking Mountain, Sonny Boy Lakes, Stehekin, Suiattle Pass, Trinity, White Chuck Mountain. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps.

Buy maps online

Go to the National Forest Store.

Wilderness.net

Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.

Trailheads/Trails that access Glacier Peak Wilderness at Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

• Entiat River Trailhead - Access to Entiat River Trail #1400.
• Holden Ballpark Campground - Access to Lower Railroad Creek Trail #1240, Copper Basin Trail, Hart And Lyman Lake Trail #1256, Upper Lyman Lake Trail, Holden Lake Trail #1251.
• Irving Pass Trailhead - Access to Irving Pass Trail #1545, Little Wenatchee Ridge Trail #1543.
• Lake Chelan National Park (View the North Cascades National Park Map) - Access to Company Creek Trail #1243, Devore Creek Trail #1244, Flat Creek Trail #1271.
• Little Giant Trailhead - Access to Little Giant Trail #1518.
• Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead - Access to Little Wenatchee Trail #1525, Poe Mountain Trail #1520.
• Pacific Crest - Stevens Pass North Trailhead - Access Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Washington North Cascades.
• Phelps Creek Trailhead - Access to Phelps Creek Trail #1511, Carne Mountain Trail #1508.
• Pyramid Mountain Trailhead - Access to Pyramid Mountain Trail #1433.
• Rock Creek Trailhead - Access to Rock Creek Trail #1509.
• Schaefer Lake Trailhead - access to Schaefer Lake Trail #1519.
• Trinity Trailhead- Access to Buck Creek Trail #1513, Chiwawa River Trail #1550.
• Twin Lakes Trailhead - Access to Twin Lakes Trail #1503.
• White River Trailhead - Access to White River Trail #1507, Mount David Trail #1521.

Trails within Glacier Peak Wilderness

• View additional trails within Glacier Peak Wilderness at Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

See also:

• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Glacier Peak Wilderness information.