Easton Glacier
The Easton Glacier route is one of Mt Baker’s most popular and approachable glaciated climbs, offering a classic mountaineering experience with varied terrain and expansive views throughout the ascent. With low angle glacier travel, moderate snow slopes, and a straightforward line to the summit, the Easton Glacier is an excellent objective for climbers new to glaciated peaks as well as seasoned mountaineers looking for a rewarding climb.
Approached from the scenic Park Butte trailhead, this route provides stunning views of the Black Buttes, Colfax Peak, and the Deming Glacier. Mt Baker’s elevation and legendary snowfall help keep the Easton Glacier in excellent condition well into the summer climbing season, making it a reliable and enjoyable objective.
The Easton Glacier is also a fantastic spring ski mountaineering route. Long sustained snow slopes from the summit, combined with thousands of feet of fall line skiing back toward camp, make this one of the most aesthetic ski descents on the mountain. Our ski mountaineering program follows the same itinerary as the mountaineering program.
Duration: 3 days
Climber to guide ratio: 3 to 1 with a max group size of 6
Prerequisites: None
Rates: 1350 per person
Goal: Hike to Sandy Camp and review essential mountaineering techniques
Approx. Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: ~4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3,000 ft
Morning Meet Up:
Meet your guides and team at the Welcome Store in Deming, WA at 9:00 AM for introductions, gear check, trip briefing, and coffee and pastries.
Drive to the Park Butte trailhead.
Approach:
Hike through forest and alpine meadows on the Park Butte trail, transitioning onto snow as we gain elevation and approach the Easton Glacier. Continue to Sandy Camp, a classic high camp located on the moraine above the glacier.
Afternoon:
Set up tents and camp.
Skills review including crampon technique, self arrest, glacier rope travel, and crevasse rescue fundamentals.
Early dinner and rest in preparation for an alpine start.
Goal: Summit Mt Baker via the Easton Glacier
Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Round Trip Distance: ~6 miles
Elevation Gain: ~4,700 ft
Alpine Start: Approximately 3:00 to 5:00 AM departure.
Easton Glacier Climb Overview:
Rope up and ascend the lower Easton Glacier, navigating crevasses and rolling terrain.
Climb the Easton Glacier through rolling snow slopes toward Sherman Crater,.
Continue above the crater rim and onto the Roman Headwall, which is the steepest portion of the climb and leads to the summit.
Summit:
Reach the summit of Mt Baker at 10,781 ft late morning to early afternoon.
Celebrate, hydrate, refuel, and prepare for descent.
Descent:
Descend the Easton Glacier route back to camp.
Enjoy a well earned dinner and rest.
Goal: Break camp and return to the trailhead
Duration: ~3 hours
Morning:
Breakfast and pack up camp.
Descend the Park Butte trail back to the trailhead for a debrief and celebratory high fives.
Guides provide feedback, next step recommendations, and photos.
Head home.
Easton Glacier
The Easton Glacier route is one of Mt Baker’s most popular and approachable glaciated climbs, offering a classic mountaineering experience with varied terrain and expansive views throughout the ascent. With low angle glacier travel, moderate snow slopes, and a straightforward line to the summit, the Easton Glacier is an excellent objective for climbers new to glaciated peaks as well as seasoned mountaineers looking for a rewarding climb.
Approached from the scenic Park Butte trailhead, this route provides stunning views of the Black Buttes, Colfax Peak, and the Deming Glacier. Mt Baker’s elevation and legendary snowfall help keep the Easton Glacier in excellent condition well into the summer climbing season, making it a reliable and enjoyable objective.
The Easton Glacier is also a fantastic spring ski mountaineering route. Long sustained snow slopes from the summit, combined with thousands of feet of fall line skiing back toward camp, make this one of the most aesthetic ski descents on the mountain. Our ski mountaineering program follows the same itinerary as the mountaineering program.
Duration: 3 days
Climber to guide ratio: 3 to 1 with a max group size of 6
Prerequisites: None
Rates: 1350 per person
Goal: Hike to Sandy Camp and review essential mountaineering techniques
Approx. Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: ~4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3,000 ft
Morning Meet Up:
Meet your guides and team at the Welcome Store in Deming, WA at 9:00 AM for introductions, gear check, trip briefing, and coffee and pastries.
Drive to the Park Butte trailhead.
Approach:
Hike through forest and alpine meadows on the Park Butte trail, transitioning onto snow as we gain elevation and approach the Easton Glacier. Continue to Sandy Camp, a classic high camp located on the moraine above the glacier.
Afternoon:
Set up tents and camp.
Skills review including crampon technique, self arrest, glacier rope travel, and crevasse rescue fundamentals.
Early dinner and rest in preparation for an alpine start.
Goal: Summit Mt Baker via the Easton Glacier
Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Round Trip Distance: ~6 miles
Elevation Gain: ~4,700 ft
Alpine Start: Approximately 3:00 to 5:00 AM departure.
Easton Glacier Climb Overview:
Rope up and ascend the lower Easton Glacier, navigating crevasses and rolling terrain.
Climb the Easton Glacier through rolling snow slopes toward Sherman Crater,.
Continue above the crater rim and onto the Roman Headwall, which is the steepest portion of the climb and leads to the summit.
Summit:
Reach the summit of Mt Baker at 10,781 ft late morning to early afternoon.
Celebrate, hydrate, refuel, and prepare for descent.
Descent:
Descend the Easton Glacier route back to camp.
Enjoy a well earned dinner and rest.
Goal: Break camp and return to the trailhead
Duration: ~3 hours
Morning:
Breakfast and pack up camp.
Descend the Park Butte trail back to the trailhead for a debrief and celebratory high fives.
Guides provide feedback, next step recommendations, and photos.
Head home.
