Mount Rainier NATIONAL PARK . THE SEASONS Curving mountain roads demand careful driving. at Cougar Rock Campground. Camping through­ Observe posted speeds; drive defensively. Use out the park is allowed at designated sites only. From mid-June through October, the experi­ lower gears for steep hills. Help prevent traffic Also, for back-country camping, you will need a enced visitor comes prepared for cool and rainy jams by using turnouts and parking areas while back-country use permit, which is available at days as well as for those that are warm and sunny. observing wildlife or scenery. any ranger station. Build fires only in places where From November through May, heavy snowstorms fires are permitted. Dead and down wood only Motorcycles and motorbikes must be licensed, and are frequent. Annual snowfall at Paradise (5,420 may be used. Do not leave fires unattended; ex­ riders must comply with Washington State laws. feet) may total 80 feet; may lie as deep as tinguish them completely with water. Report un­ They are not allowed on park trails. 30 feet; 5 to 14 feet of snow may remain on the attended fires to a ranger. ground into June, and even 3 to 8 feet into July. Stop at overlooks marked "POINT OF INTEREST To keep bears and other animals from your food, AHEAD" for grand views and exhibits on Mount Wildflowers in the high meadows begin to blos­ you must store it in your car or suspended high in Rainier's features. som in mid-June in places where the snow has a tree. melted away. In late July and early August when Gas stations are at Longmire (all year) and Sun­ Valuables should not be left in your car, which blossoming is at its height, the meadows are rise (summer only). No gas at Paradise. should be locked when you leave it. AN ARCTIC ISLAND IN A TEMPERATE ZONE luxuriant with color. ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES Food Service. In summer, snackbars are operated Late in August, huckleberry, vine maple, and moun­ Towering over its neighboring peaks. Mount at Longmire, Paradise, and Sunrise; cafeterias at tain-ash start to turn red. Autumn color is at its Hotels. National Park Inn at Longmire is open from Rainier dominates not only the park but the entire Longmire and Paradise; dining room at Paradise best in late September. early May until mid-October; Paradise Inn, mid- landscape within a 100-mile radius. This splendid Inn. In winter, a snack bar is open daily at Long­ June until Labor Day. Write to the Rainier Hospi­ landmark rises 14,410 feet, a few miles west of mire, and on weekends and holidays at Paradise. the crest of the . Its gleaming man­ DRIVING PARK ROADS tality Service, Box 1136, Tacoma, WA 98401, for reservations and rates. There are no overnight ac­ Stores. Minimum groceries are on sale at Long­ tle of ice is composed of many glaciers which Park roads from the end of Wash. 706 at Nisqually commodations at Sunrise or Ohanapecosh, but they mire and Sunrise in summer. All other stores are conceal all but its most rugged peaks and ridges. Entrance to Paradise and on U.S. 40 and Wash. 123 are available near the park at Ashford, Packwood, outside the park. In delightful contrast to this bold landscape, the from the northeast boundary through Ohanape- White Pass, Crystal Mountain, and Enumclaw. high areas have parklike subalpine forests broken cosh are open all year. Snow closes them for short Equipment rental. Summer mountain climbing and by flower-covered meadows. Lower elevations periods. Chains may be required for winter driving. Campgrounds are open throughout the park in winter skiing and sliding equipment can be rented have dense forests. All other park roads, including Stevens Canyon, summer on a first-come, first-served basis. Stays at Paradise. are closed by snow about November 1 and, depend­ are limited to 14 days a season. Sunshine Point Successive volcanic eruptions of several kinds Mail and telephone. Address of park is Longmire, ing on snow conditions, are not open again until Campground at Nisqually Entrance is the only one built up less than a million years WA 98397. Phone at park headquarters, Longmire, June or July. open all year. There are no trailer utility hookups ago. Glaciers, water, and gravity sculptured the is 206-569-2233 or 2211. mountain to its present shape. in the park, but there is a trailer dumping station

ft GPO 697-624 Pets are prohibited on trails or in public buildings, regulations are available at ranger stations and Emergency help and first aid are available at any and should not be left unattended. They must be visitor centers, and on bulletin boards. Please fill ranger station. confined or leashed at all times for the protection in creel census forms. of park wildlife and visitors. CLIMBING Horseback riding. For information on routes, write Firearms must be cased, broken down, or packed. to the superintendent in advance or ask a park The challenge of Mount Rainier—its 14,410-foot Hunting is prohibited. ranger. Rental horses are not available in the park. elevation and its large glaciers —is accepted by many climbers. Its steep unstable rock and heavily All natural features, including rocks, plants, and Winter Sports. On weekends and holidays from De­ crevassed glaciers, coupled with sudden devas­ animals are protected by law, and must be left in cember through April, ski tows operate at Para­ tating storms demand that climbers be well con­ place and unharmed. In the next decade, 20 mil­ dise. You may slide on platters or inner tubes on ditioned, well equipped and clothed, and know lion others will see the park as you found it. slopes near the visitor center. Snacks, equipment, NATURALIST SERVICES mountain travel and survival techniques. and skiing lessons are available on weekends and To better acquaint you with Mount Rainier, infor­ ACTIVITIES holidays. Ski tourists should ask rangers for routes Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., at Paradise, offers mation, publications, and exhibits are available at and conditions. Snowmobiles are permitted on 1-day snow-and-ice climbing schools, guided sum­ Longmire and Paradise Visitor Centers all year Hiking. Explore the park's scenery along 300 miles designated roads only. Ask a ranger. mit climbs, and 5-day climbing seminars. They also and at Ohanapecosh and Sunrise in summer. of trails. Go prepared with map and compass. Trail rent minimum equipment. guides and maps can be purchased at visitor cen­ Conducted trips and evening programs are sched­ TO AVOID HAZARDS ters. For safety, register at trailheads. Tell a re­ To ensure the safety of prospective summit climb­ uled from late June through Labor Day. Ask for sponsible adult where you are going and when you Stay on roads and trails and keep children under ers, special regulations have been established by the printed program at visitor centers and ranger will return. On long hikes, carry rainwear, extra control so they will avoid serious falls. the National Park Service in consultation with local and entrance stations. woolen clothing, and food. Steep snowbanks and mountaineering groups. Write to the superinten­ Do not slide on snowbanks—they may hide rocks, rock slopes are dangerous. dent of Mount Rainier National Park for complete Self-guiding trails are at Kautz Mudflow, Longmire cliffs, or streams. Also, in spring, snow bridges Meadow (Trail of the Shadows), Sourdough Ridge, summit-climbing information, including an equip­ If lost, hurt, or caught by fog or darkness, wait. form over streams and may collapse under a per­ Nisqually Vista, Ice Caves Trail, and Emmons Vista. ment list. Do not try to travel; build a fire and stay by it. son's weight. Rescuers will find you. Climbing parties must register with a ranger be­ Keep away from glaciers—they contain deep, hid­ WILDLIFE fore and after each trip. Solo climbing requires Fishing. Licenses are not required. The season for den crevasses; and rocks fall continuously from Deer, bear, and other animals may approach you prior approval by the superintendent. Before at­ stream fishing is from the third Sunday of May their snouts. for a handout, but it is unlawful and dangerous to tempting a summit climb, consider your party's through October 31; lake fishing from July 4 feed or touch any wild animal. Look for mountain Be prepared for wind and rain, as weather changes experience on similar glaciated mountains, equip­ through October 31. The Ohanapecosh River and goats on cliffs, ridges, and snowfields. Black bears may be sudden and violent. ment, leadership, and strength. Climbers under 18 its tributaries are limited to fly fishing only. Other often enter camps in search of food. Lock food in years of age must have written permission of a cars and keep a clean camp. parent. PARADISE (5,420-foot elevation) SUNRISE (6,400-foot elevation) LONGMIRE (2,761 -foot elevation) OHANAPECOSH (1,900-foot elevation)

Wildflowers in July and August, autumn colors in Alpine wild flowers and a classic view of Mount Enroute to climb the mountain August 13, 1883, Deep forests of western hemlock and western red- September, and snow as deep as 30 feet in April Rainier and await you at Sunrise. George B. Bayley, Philemon B. Van Trump, James cedar along a fast-moving river invite you to pause are all in Paradise. These attractions, combined Here, whitebark pine and Engelmann spruce join Longmire, and Indian Henry camped by "soda and and wonder. The Grove of the Patriarchs offers with a closeup view of Mount Rainier and Nisqually subalpine fir and mountain hemlock to form a scat­ iron springs of great variety." Longmire returned you a glimpse into a forest nearly 1,000 years old. Glacier, make this an exciting place. Walk the trails tered forest at the upper limit of tree growth. Stop to build a trail and a hotel at "Longmire's Springs." Also, see Silver Falls, 1 mile north of Ohanapecosh, but leave the wildflowers unpicked and untrampled at Sunrise Point (6,100-foot elevation) for views The hotel and its associated mineral baths are a favorite goal for casual hikers from the camp­ so other visitors can enjoy them, too. View the Nis­ north to Mount Baker and Glacier Peak, and south gone, but the old stopping-place remains as the ground; and fish the Ohanapecosh River, where qually Glacier from the Nisqually Vista loop trail, to Mount Adams. From Sunrise Visitor Center, headquarters of Mount Rainier National Park. sport is the object (artificial flies are required). and hike 3 miles to the ice caves. Climb to Camp where exhibits tell the mountain's geologic his­ From here, you can: Explore the 0.5-mile Trail of Steep trails lead 6 miles to Three Lakes and the Muir(10,000feet)ortothe 14,410 summit of Mount tory, watch mountaineers scaling the glaciers, and the Shadows that circles Longmire Meadow; climb Cascade Crest, 4 miles to Shriner Peak Lookout, Rainier (see CLIMBING). Ski or slide the snowy mountain goats climbing on Goat Island Mountain. a steep 3.5-mile trail to 5,955-foot Eagle Peak for or 4 miles to Cowlitz Divide. slopes from Decemberthrough April. A network of trails leads to spectacular scenes of a grand view of Mount Rainier; or take the Won­ mountain and glacier. derland Trail from Longmire that leads to points east and west.

Overnight back-country use is by permit only. Reservations can be made by writing to the superintendent not more than 60 days prior to your trip. HOW TO REACH THE PARK

Park headquarters, at Longmire, is 70 miles south­ Mount Rainier east of Tacoma, 95 miles southeast of Seattle, and NATIONAL PARK . WASHINGTON 103 miles west of Yakima.

From June to mid-September, daily bus service is available from Tacoma and Seattle. No transpor­ tation is scheduled in winter. For rates, write to the Rainier Hospitality Service, Box 1136, Tacoma, WA 98401.

Rental cars are available at all major cities near the park.

ADMINISTRATION

Mount Rainier National Park, established on March 2, 1899, has an area of 378 square miles. It is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. A superintendent, whose address is Longmire, WA 98397, is in im­ mediate charge.

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has basic responsibili­ ties for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park and recreational resources. Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's "De­ partment of Natural Resources." The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribu­ tion to a better —now and in the future.

National Park Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR