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Mount Rainier Snow Mountains, It Is the Only Peak in View, Ma­ AHEAD" for Grand Views and Exhibits on the Caves Trail, and Emmons Vista

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Mount Rainier Snow Mountains, It Is the Only Peak in View, Ma­ AHEAD Not merely the dominant peak of a chain of Stop at overlooks marked "POINT OF INTEREST Puyallup (Auto Trail), Nisqually Glacier Vista, Ice To ensure the safety of prospective summit climb­ HAZARDS Mount Rainier snow mountains, it is the only peak in view, ma­ AHEAD" for grand views and exhibits on the Caves Trail, and Emmons Vista. ers, special regulations have been established by Stay on roads and trails and keep children under NATIONAL PARK . WASHINGTON jestic in its isolation, reaching 8,000 feet above its mountain's features. the National Park Service in consultation with control so they will avoid serious falls. neighbors. It is superb in its boldness, rising ACTIVITIES local mountaineering groups. For complete sum­ The curving mountain roads demand careful 11,000 feet in 7 miles; one of the world's grand mit-climbing rules, including a specific equipment Snowbanks are fun to slide on, but they may hide driving. Observe posted speeds; drive defensively. Hiking. Explore the park's scenery along 300 miles mountains—an arctic island in a temperate zone. list, write to the superintendent. rocks, cliffs, or streams. In spring, snow tunnels Use lower gears for steep hills. Help prevent traf­ of trails. Go prepared with map and compass, or form over streams and may collapse under a per­ Mount Rainier, a towering, ice-clad dormant vol­ fic jams by using turnouts and parking areas while a guide booklet that can be purchased at visitor The climbing season starts the second weekend son's weight. cano, dominates this national park. The most observing wildlife or scenery. centers. Always register at trailheads. Tell a re­ in May, weather and routes permitting, and con­ superb landmark of the Pacific Northwest, it rises sponsible adult where you are going and when tinues through the second weekend in September. Glaciers contain deep, hidden crevasses; rocks Service stations are at Longmire (all year) and to 14,410 feet a few miles west of the crest of the you will return. Carry rainwear, extra clothing, and fall continuously from their snouts. Keep away. Sunrise (summer only). Registration by climbing parties must be made Cascade Range. Its gleaming mantle of ice is com­ food on longer hikes. Stay on the trail. Steep snow­ with a ranger before and after each trip. Solo Weather changes may be sudden and violent. Go posed of many glaciers, more than are on any banks are dangerous; avoid them. ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES climbing is prohibited. Permission to climb is based prepared for wind and rain. other single mountain in the conterminous United If lost, hurt, or caught by fog or darkness, wait. on the party's experience on similar glaciated States. This mantle conceals all but the most rug­ Hotels. National Park Inn at Longmire is open from Emergency help and first aid is available at any Do not try to travel. Build a fire. Stay by it. Res­ mountains, proper equipment, leadership, and ged peaks and ridges of Mount Rainier. In delight­ early May until mid-October; Paradise Inn, from ranger station. cuers will find you. party strength. Climbers under 21 years of age ful contrast to this bold landscape are the parklike mid-June until Labor Day. Write to the Rainier must have written permission of a parent. subalpine forests with their flower-covered mead­ National Park Company, Box 1136, Tacoma, Wash. Fishing. Licenses are not required. The season for ows and dense montane forests downslope. 98400, for reservations and rates. There are no stream fishing is from the third Sunday of May overnight accommodations at Sunrise or Ohana- through October 31; lake fishing from July 4 WILDLIFE The mountain is an extraordinarily effective natu­ pecosh, but they are available near the park at through October 31. The Ohanapecosh River and Deer and bear may approach you for a handout, ral exhibit of the tremendous earth forces which Ashford, Packwood, White Pass, Crystal Moun­ its tributaries are limited to fly fishing only. Other but it is unlawful and dangerous to feed or touch eons ago created the Cascade Range. Successive tain, and Enumclaw. regulations are available at ranger stations and any wild animal. Look for mountain goats on cliffs, volcanic eruptions of several kinds built up Mount visitor centers, and on bulletin boards. ridges, and snowfields. Rainier about a million years ago, and glaciers Campgrounds are open throughout the park in sculptured the mountain to its present shape. summer, on a first-come-first-served basis. Stays Horses. You may ride the trails anywhere in the TREES AND FLOWERS are limited to 14 days a season. Sunshine Point park except in the Paradise, Longmire, and Sun­ From mid-June through October, warm, sunny Campground at Nisqually Entrance is the only rise areas. Feed should be carried. Stock must be days are mixed with cool, rainy ones. The experi­ All natural features, including rocks, plants, and one open all year. A trailer dumping station is at kept in designated areas more than 100 yards enced visitor comes prepared for rain and cool­ animals are protected by law, and must be left in Cougar Rock Campground, but there are no from campgrounds or trails. Rental horses are not place and unharmed. In the next decade, 20 mil­ ness as well as sunshine and heat. trailer utility hookups in the park. available in the park. For information on routes, lion others will see the park as you leave it. From November through May, heavy snowstorms write to the superintendent in advance or ask a Pets must be confined or leashed at all times for are frequent. At Paradise, 5,400 feet elevation, as Camping is allowed in designated sites only. Fire park ranger. the protection of park wildlife and visitors. Pets much as 80 feet of snow falls in winter and may lie permits are required in the back country outside Winter sports. On weekends from December are prohibited on trails or in public buildings. as deep as 30 feet; 5 to 14 feet may remain on the of designated campsites. Use only dead and down wood for fires. Build fires only in the places pro­ through April, ski tows operate at Paradise. You fcj&Ai.S..GOyERNMEliiI..BttINTiyr> OgFtcm 1Q£CI 2A7 ML'.^L. ground in June, and 3 to 8 feet in July. Firearms must be cased, broken down, or packed. t vided. Do not leave fires unattended; use water to may slide on platters or inner tubes on slopes Hunting is prohibited. Flowers in the high meadows begin to appear in extinguish them completely. near the visitor center. Snacks, equipment, and ski mid-June as the snow recedes. In late July and lessons are available on weekends. Ski tourists early August, the bloom is at its height, and the Report unattended fires to a ranger. should ask rangers for routes and conditions. meadows are luxuriant with color. Food service. In summer, snackbars are operated CLIMBING Late in August the huckleberries, vine maple, and at Longmire, Paradise, and Sunrise; cafeterias at mountain-ash begin to turn red. Fall color is at its Longmire and Paradise; dining room at Paradise The challenge of Mount Rainier—its 14,410-foot best in mid-October. Inn. In winter, food service is available at Paradise elevation and its large glaciers—is accepted by on weekends only during the ski season. many climbers. Its steep unstable rock and heavily crevassed glaciers, coupled with sudden devas­ HOW TO REACH THE PARK Stores. In summer, basic groceries are on sale tating storms demand that climbers be well condi­ at Longmire, Paradise, and Sunrise, and some Park headquarters, at Longmire, is 70 miles south­ tioned, well equipped and clothed, and know backpacking foods are available from the Rainier east of Tacoma, and 95 miles southeast of Seattle. mountain travel and survival techniques. Ski and Guide Service at Paradise. All other stores Consult a current Washington State roadmap for are outside the park. The Rainier Ski and Guide Service at Paradise the best route to one of the park's four entrances. ADMINISTRATION offers 1-day snow-and-ice climbing schools, guided Equipment sales and rental. Summer mountain Late June to early September, daily bus service summit climbs, and 5-day climbing seminars. They Mount Rainier National Park, established on climbing and winter skiing and sliding equipment is available from Tacoma and Seattle. No trans­ also sell or rent equipment. March 2, 1899, has an area of 378 square miles. portation is scheduled in winter. For rates, write is sold and rented at Paradise. It is administered by the National Park Service, to the Rainier National Park Co., Box 1136, Ta­ U.S. Department of the Interior. A superintendent, Mail and Telephone. Address of park is Longmire, coma, Wash. 98400. whose address is Longmire, Wash. 98397, is in Wash. 98397. Phone at park headquarters, Long­ immediate charge. Rental cars are available at Seattle-Tacoma Inter­ mire, is 206-569-2211. national Airport, 85 miles northeast of the park. As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the NATURALIST SERVICES Department of the Interior has basic responsi­ DRIVING PARK ROADS bilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, To become better acquainted with Mount Rainier, information, publications, and exhibits are avail­ park, and recreational resources. Indian and The park roads from the end of Wash. 706 at Nis- able at Longmire and Paradise Visitor Centers all Territorial affairs are other major concerns of qually Entrance to Paradise and on Wash. 410/123 year and at Ohanapecosh and Sunrise in summer. America's "Department of Natural Resources." from the northeast boundary through Ohanape- The Department works to assure the wisest choice cosh are open all year except when snow closes Conducted trips and evening programs are sched­ in managing all our resources so each will make them for short periods.
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