Packwood Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Packwood Glacier |
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Packwood Glacier is the snowy area on the right, below Old Snowy Mountain at center
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 Packwood Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 46°30′59″N 121°27′37″W / 46.51639°N 121.46028°W |
| Length | .10 mi (0.16 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock |
| Status | Retreating |
A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. These icy giants form over many years as snow piles up and gets compressed into ice. The Packwood Glacier is one such glacier. It is located in the Goat Rocks area in the state of Washington, in the USA.
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Discovering Packwood Glacier
The Packwood Glacier is a cool natural feature found in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. This wilderness area is part of the larger Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Imagine a place with tall mountains and lots of trees – that's where you'll find it!
Where is Packwood Glacier?
This glacier sits close to a famous hiking path called the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. This trail stretches for thousands of miles across the western United States. The Packwood Glacier is about .30 mi (0.48 km) northwest of a mountain called Old Snowy Mountain. Another glacier, the McCall Glacier, is also nearby, about .50 mi (0.80 km) to the east.
Why is it called Packwood?
The Packwood Glacier, just like the nearby town of Packwood, was named to honor a person. It was named after a man called William Packwood. He was an important figure in the history of the region.
What is a Retreating Glacier?
The infobox for Packwood Glacier says its status is "retreating." This means the glacier is getting smaller over time. It is losing more ice than it gains from new snowfall. Many glaciers around the world are retreating because of changes in climate.
