Winthrop Glacier

Winthrop Glacier
Winthrop Glacier in the center of the picture, October 2024
TypeMountain glacier
LocationMount Rainier, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Coordinates46°52′34″N 121°44′31″W / 46.87611°N 121.74194°W / 46.87611; -121.74194[1]
Area3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), 1983[2]

The Winthrop Glacier is a large glacier on the northeastern side of Mount Rainier in Washington. Named after Theodore Winthrop, the body of ice covers 3.5 mile2 (9.1 km2) and has a volume of 18.5 billion feet3 (523 million m3).[2] Starting at over 14,300 feet (4,400 m) at the Columbia Crest, the glacier heads north and descends steeply over the uneven topography of Rainier.[3] Another glacier, the Emmons Glacier is directly connected to this glacier up to the Steamboat Prow. After passing the Prow, the glaciers split up; the Emmons heads east-northeastward and the Winthrop continues northeast. As the terrain becomes flatter, the Winthrop glacier becomes heavily rock-covered when it terminates in a forest at about 4,900 ft (1,500 m).[3] Meltwater from the glacier drains into the White River.[2]

  1. ^ Google Earth images.
  2. ^ a b c "DESCRIPTION: Mount Rainier Glaciers and Glaciations - Mount Rainier Glacier Hazards and Glacial Outburst Floods". USGS. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  3. ^ a b "USGS Sunrise (WA) Topo Map". USGS Quad maps. TopoQuest.com. Retrieved 2008-05-15.