Palmer Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palmer Glacier |
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Mount Hood summit and Palmer Glacier
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 Palmer Glacier
Location in Oregon
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Clackamas County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°21′09″N 121°42′27″W / 45.35250°N 121.70750°W |
| Length | .8 mi (1.3 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
The Palmer Glacier is a large glacier found on the south side of Mount Hood in Oregon, USA. It sits high up on the mountain, between about 9,300 and 6,200 feet (2,835 to 1,890 meters) above sea level. This glacier is named after Joel Palmer, an early Oregon pioneer.
Palmer Glacier is the most famous of the twelve glaciers on Mount Hood. It's a very popular spot for people who love snow sports. Parts of the lower glacier are even inside the Timberline ski area. You can reach it by a special snow vehicle called a Sno-Cat or by a chairlift, if the weather allows.
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Discovering Palmer Glacier
The Palmer Glacier is a leftover from the huge glaciers that covered the land during the last ice age. It's special because it's the only place in North America where you can ski and snowboard all year long!
For a while, people thought the Palmer Glacier was just a big snow field. But on October 19, 1924, a group called The Mazamas studied it. They found out it was indeed a real glacier and decided it should be marked on maps. After that, it was sometimes called the Salmon River Glacier because it's where the Salmon River begins.
Fun on the Snow: Skiing and Snowboarding
During the summer ski season, which usually runs from May to September, the upper part of the Palmer Glacier is divided into lanes. Some lanes are open for everyone to use. Other lanes are set aside for ski and snowboard camps, coaches, and other groups. This helps everyone enjoy the snow safely.
Between late summer and the first snowfalls of autumn, the glacier usually doesn't have enough snow for skiing.
Silcox Hut: A Mountain Retreat
Near the base of the Palmer Glacier, you'll find Silcox Hut. This small lodge was first built as a warm place for skiers and climbers to rest. Today, groups can rent it for events or for a rustic overnight stay. It's located about 1,000 feet (305 meters) higher than Timberline Lodge, close to the top of the Magic Mile ski lift.
Glacier's Neighbors
The Palmer Glacier has other natural features around it. To its east, there's a ridge that separates it from the White River Canyon. This canyon contains the White River Glacier. To the west, you'll find the Zigzag Glacier and Zigzag Canyon, which is where the Zigzag River starts.
The upper part of the glacier gets narrower near the bottom of Steel Cliff. This area is known as Triangle Moraine. Below the main glacier, the snowfield changes a lot with the seasons. Its length can vary by almost 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) throughout the year.
