Glacier Peak is the most isolated of the five major stratovolcanoes (composite volcanoes) of the Cascade Volcanic Arc in the U.S state of Washington. Located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness in Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, the volcano is visible from the west in Seattle, and from the north in the higher areas of eastern suburbs of Vancouver such as Coquitlam, New Westminster and Port Coquitlam. We here in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island can also see Glacier Peak, albeit in the right location and only when the sky is clear.

The volcano is the fourth tallest peak in Washington state, and not as much is known about it compared to other volcanoes in the state. When American explorers reached the region, they learned basic information about much of the surrounding landforms, but did not initially understand that Glacier Peak was a volcano. Located within Snohomish County, the volcano is only 70 miles (110 km) northeast of downtown Seattle. From locations in northern Seattle and northward, Glacier Peak is closer than the more famous Mount Rainier (Tahoma), but as Glacier Peak is set farther into the Cascades and due to the fact that it is almost 4,000 feet (1,200 m) shorter than Rainier, it is much less noticeable than the taller Mount Rainier.

To access Glacier Peak, you need to drive on SH 530 to Darrington, Washington and then take the Mountain Loop Highway south, eventually reaching the bridge over Sauk River and the Bedal Campground. One half mile north of this bridge is the Sloan Creek Road (NF-49), which is the primary access point to the Glacier Peak Wilderness where Glacier Peak is located; this route involves driving on a gravel road for a portion of the journey and accessing the trailhead via the NF-49. Sloan Creek Road travels along the north side of the North Fork Sauk River for 6.6 miles at (48.1025811, -121.3873364) where a road to the left leads to the North Fork Sauk Trailhead at 48.0579655, -121.2882315.

Here, access the 649 North Fork Sauk Trail which travels first to the southeast to enter the Glacier Peak Wilderness. After walking some time, the trail begins to ascend in a northeasterly direction and then arrives at the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) near White Pass. Continue north on the PCT until you arrive at where the PCT crosses Glacier Creek. From here, there is no trail, but if you walk down into Kennedy Creek valley and follow this creek to the east below Kennedy Peak, you can follow the ridge up to Glacier Peak.

NOTE: Before any attempt to summit this mountain, it is NECESSARY to acquire accurate wilderness maps. TOO, the above is not the definitive access directions.