Photo: Mt Ruth below Liberty Cap on Mount Rainier
"I would recommend this trip to a friend."
I've always been curious about Steamboat Prow and the Interglacier approach to the Emmons Glacier at Mt Rainier. I've been from the White River Campground up the Emmons Glacier Moraine to the end of the trail and wondered if you could continue on up the ridge to Mt Ruth and then come down the Interglacier. The short answer is, "Yes." The long answer is a question, "Why?"
Photo: Bill W on Mt Ruth. It was steep.
The trail continues on past the "Trail not maintained beyond this point" sign, but it's hard to follow, especially in the snow. We finally took a compass bearing and headed out cross country. The snow was still deep on July 18. We got through most of the wooded area, then had to decide whether to bushwack through about 50' of Alpine Fir and Juniper of climb straight up around the patch of trees. I chose the trees, Bill and Marcos took the hill.
I cut through in 10 minutes and had an easy traverse on snow to the saddle we'd been aiming for. Then a 20 min wait for them. From the saddle we headed across to the last steep--very steep--approach to Mt Ruth. After an hour and a half of kicking steps in the soft snow, we were at the summit with super views of Little Tahoma, the Emmons, Liberty Cap, Steamboat Prow, the Interglacier, Winthrop Glacier and Burroughs Mt/Sunrise.
It's possible to go from here to Steamboat Prow and down the interglacier. We were tired and the descent via the Interglacier is longer and Mt Ruth was steep enough to glissade all the way down to the Basin. Be very careful to stay to the S side along the Emmons and be sure of your runout. There is a nasty cliff if you head down along the Interglacier side. Otherwise, it's a smooth steep slide with only four short walk sections.
Photo: Waiting for Bill and Marcos. Little Tahoma behind.
A couple had hiked up with skiis and had a long lovely descent. Otherwise we were the only ones there. The Interglacier was very busy. If I were to do it again, I'd hike up the Interglacier to Steamboat Prow, have lunch and check out Camp Schurman then climb over to Mt Ruth and down. I don't know if I'd do Mt Ruth if there were no snow.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.