Sitting squarely on the northwest side of the Middle Sister, the Renfrew Glacier is located in one of the more scenic areas of the state. The glacier starts at an elevation of just over 9000 feet, directly to the west of Prouty Point, and flows downhill before splitting into two lobes, one which heads west and the other which continues to the northwest. The toe of the glacier is located near 8000 feet, and meltwater from the glacier feeds Obsidian Creek which flows into Linton Lake. The photo below, taken on August 28, 2007 is provided courtesy of John Scurlock, and shows the Renfrew Glacier from the west.
For the most part, the glacier is relatively flat, but does offer some really nice low angle corn turns in spring/summer conditions. Approaching from the east allows dropping in from Prouty Point and a combination trip with the Hayden Glacier, while approaching from the west usually provides for a more isolated trip. The below photo shows the Renfrew from the saddle at Prouty Point.
One of the main reasons to visit the Renfrew is for the spectacular views. From the top of the glacier, the volcanic peaks of northern Oregon and Southern Washington line up perfectly along the cascade crest, while the Husband and the Willamette Valley can be seen to the west. If you’re looking to make turns in one of Oregon’s most scenic spots, look no further than the Renfrew Glacier.
