Baby Glacier (Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baby Glacier |
|
|---|---|
 Baby Glacier
Location in Wyoming
|
|
| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 43°10′16″N 109°41′01″W / 43.17111°N 109.68361°W |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Length | .40 mi (0.64 km) |
| Width | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Unknown |
Baby Glacier is a small but mighty ice formation found in the beautiful Bridger Wilderness of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. This special place is located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Even though it's called "Baby Glacier," it's an important part of the amazing Wind River Range.
Baby Glacier sits right next to a much larger ice body called Mammoth Glacier. Both of these glaciers are on the west side of the Continental Divide. Think of the Continental Divide as a giant, imaginary line across North America. It separates which ocean the rainwater and melted snow will eventually flow into!
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is like a giant, slow-moving river of ice. It forms over many, many years as snow piles up and gets packed down. This packed snow turns into ice, which then slowly flows downhill because of gravity. Glaciers are super important because they store a lot of the world's fresh water. They also help us understand how the Earth's climate is changing.
Where is Baby Glacier Located?
Baby Glacier is nestled in a special bowl-shaped valley called a cirque. This cirque faces north, which helps keep the glacier cool and protected from the sun. The glacier flows northward from the slopes of a mountain called Mount Whitecap.
This glacier is part of the largest group of glaciers in the American Rocky Mountains. It's a cool example of how ice can shape the land over time. The area where Baby Glacier is found, the Bridger Wilderness, is a protected natural space. This means it's kept wild and natural for everyone to enjoy and for animals to live in.
