Inter Glacier, Glacier Basin — Saturday, May. 24, 2025

Route/Place Conditions

Trailhead Access:
Started at White River Campground. Overnight parking was allowed with a valid Glacier Basin camping permit.

Trail Conditions:
The trail was mostly dry until nearing Glacier Basin, where continuous snow began. In Glacier Basin, snow was already soft by 7:30 AM, making for slower travel. Firmer conditions earlier in the day would have improved both the ascent and descent.

Snow Conditions:
Full snow coverage from just before Glacier Basin onward. The skier’s route up the center of the glacier was straightforward with no avalanche or crevasse concerns. Avalanche debris was present on the climber’s route along the northwest slope.

Hazards:
Route-finding was difficult in snow-covered sections, with some bootpaths misleadingly heading toward the river. Stream crossings were manageable but required careful footing. Strong winds were present at higher elevations.

Trip Summary

Saturday, May 24:

• Departed White River Campground at 2:15 PM

• Reached Glacier Basin and set up camp in snow at 5:30 PM

• Camp area was fully snow-covered; pit toilet was buried—bring sufficient blue bags

Sunday, May 25:

• Departed camp at 7:10 AM

• Reached summit of Steamboat Prow at 12:00 PM (5-hour ascent)

• Descended in 2 hours via a 1.2-mile glissade straight into Glacier Basin

Water & Camping

Water Sources:
Multiple reliable streams were present along the trail. At Glacier Basin, the nearest access to running water was ~⅛ mile upriver from camp. Last reliable water on the route was around 6000 ft on the north side of the basin.

Campsites:
Glacier Basin provided solid snow camping. The pit toilet was not accessible—carry blue bags.

Gear Notes

Used:
Trekking poles, ice axe (for glissade), Scooty Bootie, sun hat, helmet, puffy, hard shell, fleece layer, Z-pad, stove, water filter, water bladder, InReach, walkie-talkies, sun gloves, Temres lined gloves.

Not Used:
Microspikes.

Wish We’d Had:
Gaiters (would have helped with postholing and wet snow).

Optional:
Snowshoes—might have helped, but probably not worth the effort given snow conditions.

Route Advice

Two options exist from Glacier Basin:

• The climber’s route along the northwest slope had significant avy debris and was not used.

• The skier’s route straight up the center of the glacier was more direct and posed no avy or crevasse concerns this weekend.

Start as early as possible—by 7:30 AM the snow in Glacier Basin was already soft and travel was slow. Glacier Basin is in sun from sunrise to sunset.

Side Trips

We did not attempt the ridge to Ruth, based on our personal risk tolerance and limited time, as winds were strong and conditions looked unfavorable.