Colchuck Glacier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colchuck Glacier
Colchuck Glacier (at left) and Colchuck Peak from north in May, 2015
Colchuck Glacier Location in Washington (state)
Type	Alpine glacier
Location	Wenatchee National Forest, Chelan County, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates	47°28′48″N 120°50′24″W / 47.48000°N 120.84000°W / 47.48000; -120.84000
Length	.30 mi (0.48 km)
Terminus	Barren rock
Status	Retreating

Colchuck Glacier is in the Stuart Range immediately north of Colchuck Peak and Dragontail Peak, in the U.S. state of Washington. Colchuck Glacier is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Wenatchee National Forest. The glacier is approximately .30 mi (0.48 km) in length, .10 mi (0.16 km) in width at its widest and descends from 7,600 to 6,400 ft (2,300 to 2,000 m), where it terminates on barren rock and talus. Below the glacier lies Colchuck Lake. The mountain and glacier take their name from the lake, which in Chinook jargon means "cold water".

Colchuck Glacier between Dragontail Peak (left) and Colchuck Peak (right) from north in late summer 2018, showing the current extent of glacial retreat