Starting from its highest point at , the Russell Glacier flows northeast towards the Carbon Glacier and contributes ice to the larger glacier before becoming distinct below . With most of the ice located from  to , the glacier only descends to , unlike the much lower extent of the Carbon Glacier.
The Russell Glacier begins at its maximum point at , then moves north-east towards the Carbon Glacier, contributing ice to the larger body before diverging below . Most of the glacier's mass is concentrated between and , whereas it only reaches as low as , unlike the much smaller extent of the Carbon Glacier.