Visit Rocky Mountain National Park`s most popular glacier

This beautiful glacier is one of the largest in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and is the easiest to climb. It also serves as the headwaters to Andrews Creek. Andrews Glacier averages a modest 20 degrees, and in good snow conditions this is an easy climb or line of descent to or from the Continental Divide. However, each year hikers attempt the glacier unprepared for less-than-perfect conditions and find themselves in trouble on unyielding, steep ice. Crampons and an ice axe for self-arresting are recommended for this route.

In good snow conditions, these tools are unnecessary for a safe experience on the glacier. But when conditions turn hard-packed or icy, negotiating the glacier becomes much more challenging, and these tools are necessary for safety. A fall on Andrews Glacier is very serious, leading to a wild slide into rocks or Andrews Tarn.

Andrews Glacier can be reached either from Glacier Gorge or from the Continental Divide, via Flattop Mountain.