Disappearance of Hinman Glacier

NORTH CASCADE GLACIER CLIMATE PROJECT

Mauri S. Pelto, Director NCGCP
Nichols College, Dudley, MA 01571 mspelto@nichols.edu

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In the USGS map for Mount Daniels-Mount Hinman in the North Cascades, Washington based on 1979 aerial photographs, Hinman Glacier is the largest glacier in the North Cascades south of Glacier Peak.  Today it is nearly gone.  Hinman Lake, unofficial name, has taken the place of the former glacier, which still has a couple of separated relict ice masses.    Upper right is the 1965 Mount Daniels Quadrangle USGS map of the glacier.  Above right is the 1988 view of the Hinman Glacier, the  separated ice masses are significant still.  Lower right is the 1998 aerial image of the glacier a few areas of blue ice are seen, the glacier is 20% of its mapped size.  Lower right is the glacier in 2006 at this point the glacier is no longer detectable, note the map outline and the gorgeous new Lake Hinman.   At right is the view from Lake Hinman up the valley and mountain side that used to be covered by the Hinman Glacier, now 90% gone.

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