Easton Glacier
Encyclopedia
Easton Glacier is one of the more prominent alpine glaciers on Mount Baker
in the North Cascades
Range of Washington state, USA. Named for Charles F. Easton of Bellingham, who did much to preserve the history of Mount Baker, it is positioned on the south face of the mountain and can be accessed by hike year-round and snowmobile in the winter. It is a popular field trip destination for students from Western Washington University and the University of Washington due to its ease of access.
The glacier head is located near Sherman Crater at about 9000 feet (2,743.2 m) and the terminus is at 5500 feet (1,676.4 m) The glacier has created two very clear lateral moraines, the left being Metcaife Moraine and the right Railroad Grade. Evidence of the glacier’s movement can clearly be seen on the valley floor. Many of the andesite outcrops and boulders have been polished, and glacial striations are easily visible.
Easton has retreated 980 feet (298.7 m) and lost an average of 43 feet (13.1 m) of thickness since 1990. While hiking in the valley, previous terminal moraines can be discerned from the surrounding landscape.
Mount Baker
Mount Baker , also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington State in the United States. It is the second-most active volcano in the range after Mount Saint Helens...
in the North Cascades
North Cascades
The North Cascades are a section of the Cascade Range of western North America. They span the border between the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington and are officially named in Canada as the Cascade Mountains...
Range of Washington state, USA. Named for Charles F. Easton of Bellingham, who did much to preserve the history of Mount Baker, it is positioned on the south face of the mountain and can be accessed by hike year-round and snowmobile in the winter. It is a popular field trip destination for students from Western Washington University and the University of Washington due to its ease of access.
The glacier head is located near Sherman Crater at about 9000 feet (2,743.2 m) and the terminus is at 5500 feet (1,676.4 m) The glacier has created two very clear lateral moraines, the left being Metcaife Moraine and the right Railroad Grade. Evidence of the glacier’s movement can clearly be seen on the valley floor. Many of the andesite outcrops and boulders have been polished, and glacial striations are easily visible.
Easton has retreated 980 feet (298.7 m) and lost an average of 43 feet (13.1 m) of thickness since 1990. While hiking in the valley, previous terminal moraines can be discerned from the surrounding landscape.