North Guardian Glacier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids North Guardian Glacier
Left to right, Cool, Chocolate, North Guardian and Dusty Glaciers on the east slopes of Glacier Peak
North Guardian Glacier Location in Washington (state)
Type	Mountain glacier
Coordinates	48°06′03″N 121°05′58″W / 48.10083°N 121.09944°W / 48.10083; -121.09944
Length	1 mi (1.6 km)
Terminus	Barren rock
Status	Retreating

North Guardian Glacier is located on east slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier descends from 8,600 ft (2,600 m) to 6,430 ft (1,960 m) and is partially connected to Chocolate Glacier which lies to its south. As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, North Guardian Glacier is retreating. North Guardian Glacier retreated approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft) between 1850 and 1946, however during a cooler and wetter period from about 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced modestly. Since then North Guardian Glacier resumed retreating and thinning and by 2005 the glacier had returned to its minimum length as recorded in 1946.