Boulder Glacier

Infobox_Glacier | glacier_name = Boulder Glacier


caption = Boulder Glacier on the southeast slope of Mount Baker
type = Mountain glacier
location = Washington, U.S.
coordinates = coord|48|46|18|N|121|48|00|W|region:US-WA_type:glacier|display=inline,title
area = 950 acres (3.85 km²) est.
length = 1.5 miles (2.4 km) est.
thickness =
terminus = Moraine
status = Retreating

Boulder Glacier is located on the southeast slope of Mount Baker, a stratovolcano near the Pacific coast of North America in the Cascade Range of Washington. Boulder Glacier is the sixth largest on Mount Baker with an area of 1.3 mi² (3.4 km²) (Post et al. 1971). It flows from the summit crater between Grant Peak (10,781 feet / 3,286 m) and Sherman Peak (10,140 feet / 3,091 m) to about 5,000 feet (1,524 m). It is noteworthy for retreating 1,480 feet (450 m) between 1987 and 2005 leaving newly exposed rock and soil behind. [ [http://www.nichols.edu/departments/glacier/ North Cascade Glacier Climate Project ] ]

Between 1850 and 1950, the glacier retreated 8,700 feet (2,650 m). William Long of the United States Forest Service observed the glacier beginning to advance due to cooler/wetter weather in 1953. This was followed by a 2,438 feet (743 m) advance by 1979. The 1979 terminus position is where the small stream enters Boulder Creek from the southwest. Observations in 2005 suggest that the lowest thousand feet or several hundred meters of the glacier is stagnant and will likely disappear. In the pictures, this section of the glacier is gray with rock debris and has few crevasses. On the west side of Boulder Creek is a small waterfall revealed by the recent recession of the glacier.

Boulder Glacier may be approached via the Boulder Ridge Trail number 605. The trail passes through a climax community of pacific silver fir and related species of disparate ages with many standing snags. In the fall, a large variety of mushroom species emerge. Near 4,300 feet (1,311 m) elevation, the trail ascends a lateral glacial moraine. At 4,600 feet (1,402 m), the route ascends about 20 feet (6 m) of Class 2 rock and 120 feet (37 m) of steep subalpine forest to reach the ridge crest. Soon thereafter, the trail disappears.

Boulder Ridge consists of scenic heather-covered benches and a number of lateral moraines left by vanished glaciers. Glacial retreat has left the upper portion of the ridge barren and unstable and rockfall from the terminus of that portion of the glacier is a hazard to the unwary visitor.

Boulder Glacier is one of the more popular climbing routes on Mount Baker. First climbed on August 24 1891, it is most often ascended in combination with the cleaver between Boulder and Park Glacier to the north to bypass densely crevassed sections of the glacier. At about 10,000 feet (3,048 m) elevation, the route passes to the southwest of steep rock and ice to reach the summit ridge east of Grant Peak.

Gallery

See also

* Mount Baker
* Retreat of glaciers since 1850
* List of glaciers

References

* cite journal
first = A.
last = Post
authorlink =
coauthors = D. Richardson, W.V. Tangborn, and F.L. Rosselot
year = 1971
month =
title = Inventory of glaciers in the North Cascades, Washington
journal = USGS Prof. Paper
volume = 705-A
issue =
pages = A1–A26
id =
url =
* cite journal
first = M.
last = Pelto
authorlink =
coauthors = C. Hedlund
year = 2001
month =
title = Terminus behavior and response time of North Cascade glaciers, Washington, U.S.A.
journal = Journal of Glaciology
volume = 47
issue = 158
pages = 496–506
id =
url =
doi = 10.3189/172756501781832098
* cite book
author=Beckey, Fred
title=Cascade Alpine Guide: Climbing and High Routes : Rainy Pass to Fraser River
publisher=Mountaineers Books; 2nd edition
year=1995
id=ISBN 0-89886-423-2

External links

* [http://www.nichols.edu/departments/glacier/Bill.htm North Cascades: Glacier Retreat] North Cascade Glacier Climate Project