Carbon Glacier
The Carbon Glacier ranks as the third largest glacier by volume on Mount Rainier.
Plan Around Carbon Glacier
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Carbon Glacier Details
The Carbon Glacier ranks as the third largest glacier by volume on Mount Rainier and is receding slower than other glaciers for several reasons: It faces north and is hemmed in by steep walls so it gets less sun, and it's blanketed in rock, which provides insulation and therefore slows melt rates. It also has the lowest terminus in altitude of all glaciers in the Lower 48 states, at 3,600 feet. Take the Carbon River Trail to find several spots for viewing the glacier. The Carbon Glacier gets its name from the dark-colored water that flows out of the glacier's snout, from all the rock, dirt, and debris. The meltwater also flows through a valley with coal deposits that were once mined from the area.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
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Nearby Parks Around Carbon Glacier
Compare nearby parks around Carbon Glacier when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Carbon Glacier
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Carbon Glacier while the map context is still fresh.
0.7 mi away
Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail circumnavigates Mount Rainier.
0.8 mi away
Russell Glacier
This mid-size glacier on Mount Rainier's northern side measures 1.3 square miles and eventually deposits melt water into the Carbon River.
2.0 mi away
Goat Island Rock
Goat Island Rock is located in the lower section of the Carbon Glacier.
2.9 mi away
Winthrop Glacier
The second largest glacier on Rainier stretches from the mountain's summit to the 4,700-foot level of the West Fork of the White River.
3.2 mi away
Liberty Cap
Liberty Cap at 14,112 feet is the third highest of Mount Rainier's three summits.
