The Emmons-Winthrop route climbs the largest glacier in the contiguous United States and offers a less crowded alternative to the Disappointment Cleaver. The approach from the White River Campground is shorter in driving time from Seattle.
The second most-climbed standard route, approaching from the northeast side of the mountain. Less crowded than the Disappointment Cleaver route and considered a good early-season alternative when Cleaver rockfall/crevasse conditions are unfavorable, though it is longer and more remote.
From White River Campground (4,400 ft), hike the Glacier Basin Trail roughly 3.3-3.5 mi to Glacier Basin (5,900-6,000 ft), then ascend to the base of the Inter Glacier.
Descend the climbing route back to Camp Schurman, down the Inter Glacier to Glacier Basin, and out via the Glacier Basin Trail to White River Campground.