Glacier Peak Wilderness

The Glacier Peak Wilderness comprises more half a million acres of spectacular scenery in the North Cascades of Washington State.
Sometimes confused with Glacier National Park (in Montana) the GP Wilderness is just as striking, but attracts only a fraction of the visitors that flock to the National Park.

The most prominent landmark of the wilderness is, predictably, Glacier Peak. At more than 10,000 feet this active volcano is draped with 11 glaciers.

Visiting the Glacier Peak Wilderness

Visiting the Glacier Peak Wilderness is done exclusively on foot or horseback. An extensive trail system allows many long and short trips into the through the area. The Pacific Crest Trail bisects the Wilderness , passing through some of the most striking terrain in Washington.

The best time to visit in late July to late September. Depending upon the last winters snow level, the meadows are abloom with wildflowers in early August creating a fantastic palette of colors.

Last summer I completed a loop through the Wilderness, starting at Spider Meadows, over Spider Glacier, along Lyman Lake, and back through Buck Creek Pass. Here are a few images from the trip! If you would like to purchase any of these images, here is the gallery.