Mount Ruth, Glacier Basin — Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

Mount Ruth doesn't seem to get much respect as a destination, only someplace people pass on the way to Steamboat Prow or higher. Well, I don't have the legs for Steamboat, and Mount Ruth is spectacular enough to keep me smiling for weeks.

Overview: started from White River at 6:50 and needed 4 hours moving plus 20 minutes of breaks to reach Ruth summit. After a leisurely 1.5 hrs for lunch and sightseeing, 3 hours to return, finishing at 15:45. Per GaiaGPS, 10.2 miles, 4340 ft climb. The entire route was snow-free. I carried 4 liters of water and drank most of it. I was very glad to have poles.

Glacier Basin Trail: well documented in many other reports; popular, pretty, very well maintained, with steady, moderate slope. The only problem is how long it seems on the return trip.

River Crossing: Right after the "end of maintained trail" sign there's an obvious path down to the river, but the choice of route across the multiple strands of river is open. We spent a few minutes to find a safe and dry route across, but then couldn't see the trail on the other side. I used Gaia GPS to get back on track. On the return trip, the river flow was noticeably higher and required a little more care in crossing.

Ascending the ridge: Once on the trail up to the ridge, the average climb rate is about 3 times that of the Glacier Basin trail—roughly 1400 ft/mi. The trail is mostly well-defined, but often steep enough to require care about traction and foot placement. In that respect, coming down was much harder than going up.

On the ridge: Once gaining the ridge line, at about 6800 feet, the slope briefly moderates, even flattens out briefly, and we took some time to admire the views in every direction. Up ahead you see the summit of Rainier and Mount Ruth just to its right (the view of Steamboat Prow is blocked by Ruth at that point). And Glacier Basin, of course. To the left, Emmons Glacier and Little Tahoma; a little farther Summerland, Panhandle Gap, etc., etc.

Following the ridge line: Initially the trail is easy to follow. The slope gradually—relentlessly—increases.

The rock zone: After about 7600 feet we started having trouble following the trail, since it's basically weaving through a rock field. Maybe the trail isn't so important at that point, but I didn't want to end up in a blind alley, and used Gaia GPS a few times to get back on track. This is also when we were passed by two hikers who were moving considerably faster, bound for Steamboat Prow (see what I meant in my intro?). They, and one other solo hiker who was already ahead of us, were the only people we saw past Glacier Basin Camp.

The Summit: The final stretch up to the Ruth summit was the only bit of scrambling needed, and it's not difficult. But there are some quite dramatic cliffs and drop-offs up there, especially on the eastern side. But also plenty of flat space for rest, lunch, and sight-seeing.

Having been obsessed with the Sunrise area for a few years, I loved being able to see almost everyplace I had hiked. Third Burroughs was previously the highest I'd been, and now we saw it from 800 feet higher. As well, Rainier looms a lot closer. While we ate, there was a sustained rockfall on Rainier that we heard but didn't see. But we could see the dust it generated, carried rapidly up by a rising wind and forming a small lenticular cloud!

Return: The hardest part is the middle of the descent from the ridge line to Glacier Basin. Lots of loose, silty soil and mixed rocks. I managed to keep my butt off the ground but came close a few times, and was very glad to have poles. And as mentioned above, the river can be expected to get a little higher and faster at the end of a sunny day.