Mount Rainier National Park Volume 18 No. 1

pring came early at Mount Rainier The warmth of spring causes park and elsewhere in the Cascade streams to swell into torrents, making Naturalist Activities SMountains this year. Normally waterlalls especially powerful. Swift spring arrives weeks after the date circled water and slippery rocks near streams can & Visitor Services: on the calendar. During this mild winter, be deadly, beware. Look for Christine only 10 to 15 feet of snow blanketed Falls, Narada Falls or Silver Falls on your • Longmire/Cougar Rock page 2 higher elevations of Paradise and Sunrise, park map or ask a Park Ranger for direc­ •Paradise page 2 while at lower elevations ofLongmire and tions to these or other picturesque water­ • Ohanapecosh page 3 Ohanapecosh there was almost no snow falls. • Sunrise/White River page 3 on the ground. Walking or hiking on higher elevation • Carbon River page3 As we anticipate the summer hiking trails around Paradise or Sunrise in this season, we expect an early snow meltout early season requires extra responsibility •Safety page4 on most park trails. Elevations below to preserve the integrity of the meadow. 4500 feet will likely be snow free by late Please stay on snow or follow flagged TAHOMA is printed on recycled paper May, while higher elevations retain snow­ routes which mark the trail surlace below. with funding provided by the Northwest pack into July. Because of the factors of Please do not walk on bare ground so that, Interpretive Association. weather and snowpack the best hiking when the snow has melted, the meadows occurs in August and September. will not be damaged by early season Normally peak flower bloom occurs in hiking. Wear appropriate shoes or expect This year as we celebrate the finding of the sub-alpine meadows in late July or to get cold, wet feet. Check with the park the North American continent by For infonnation on Mount Rainier Na­ early August, months after spring has be­ staff for details about trail conditions, Europeans five hundred years ago, Mount tional Park, tune your AM radio to come summer at lower elevations. This weather and suggested hikes. O Rainier National Park remembers the 1610KHz, near Nisqually Entrance. Dial year the peak bloom could come as early two-hundredth anniversary of the naming (206) 569-2211 for up-to-date informa­ as mid July. of the Mountain. On May 7, 1792. Cap­ tion on park roads, trails, facilities and Spring is a good time to enjoy the lush tain George Vancouver of the British weather, 24 hours a day. vegetation of the lower old-growth forest Royal Navy mentioned a "remarkably around Longmire, Carbon River and high, round mountain covered with Ohanapecosh. There are self-guiding na­ snow". The next day he named the moun­ ture trails in each of these locations to help tain for his friend, Rear Admiral Peter Most Ranger led activities will begin on you to explore and understand the natural Rainier (pictured above). July 1, but you can enhance your visit by and human history of the park. attending one or more Field Seminars taught by paid instructors offered by the Pacific Northwest Field Seminars at Mount Rainier throughout the summer season. Subjects vary from birds, alpine ecology, old-growth forests, meadows, glaciers, volcanoes, weather, and wildflowers, to nature writing, painting, pring heralds the arrival of new photographing and astronomy. If you born animals at Mount Rainier Na­ have time to invest in understanding the Stional Park. You may see many of resources of Mount Rainier and want to these young animals without their parents. increase your enjoyment of the park, ask Being good samaritans, we may feel com­ a park ranger at any visitor center for a pelled to help these "orphans" by picking catalogue of courses or write to Pacific them up and taking them to a ranger sta­ Northwest Field Seminars, 83 South King tion. However, our well intentioned ac­ Street, Seattle, WA, 98104 or phone (206) tions will most probably hinder a young 553-2636 for information or registration. animal's chances of survival and alter its life forever. Animals picked up by humans must be hand raised, and conse­ Stevens Canyon Road is expected to quently lose their natural fear of humans open for the 1992 season on Memorial which prevents them from being returned Day Weekend, May 22. This important to the wild. These animals often die or are placed in zoos, fenced game preserves, or trans park road connects Longmire and young birds grow at varying rates, the first young. A squeal from a frightened cub Paradise areas on the western side of the rehabilitation centers, situations that are hardly beneficial for a wild animal. to hatch are most often the first to fly. As will bring an immediate response. In­ park with the eastern side of the park near a result, younger siblings are often cidences of hostile encounters with beaI'S Ohanapecosh. Young animals are often left by their parents for several hours while the adults tempted to try to fly before they are ready. can occur if we get too close to the cub(s) are foraging for food. Nature has provided. These premature flyers typically fail and ar•d the sow instinctively becomes protec­ these young with a variety of adaptations are unable to get back to the nest. In this tive. When we happen upon young Westside Road is expected to be par­ to cope with temporarily being left alone. case, parents will care for their young animals it is always best, for both tht: tially opened for the 1992 season in late A deer fawn instinctively stays still, its wherever they land, since the young birds well-intentioned human and young wile" June. Only the first three miles of the camouflage coat and lack of odor making will often be flying by the next day. If you animal, to stay a safe distance apart. Tc roadway (to Dry Creek crossing) will be it invisible to natural predators. The doe see a young bird on the ground, stay back the unwary visitor, a lone bear cub ma} open for vehicle travel this summer. Foot purposefully stays away from her young an appropriate distance. Moving too close appear to be lost or orphaned, but be travel and bicycles only will be allowed while foraging; if she were to come too to the young bird often causes it to flee. aware. beyond Dry Creek due to glacier outburst close, a predator may be alerted that Birds, especially young birds, have a very Mount Rainier National Park was es· flooding and damage brought on by early young are near. For this reason a fawn will high metabolism rate and any extra move­ tablished in part to preserve the natural winter torrential rains on Tahoma Creek. frequently appear orphaned, the doe not ment means a waste of very precious ener­ processes occurring within its boundaries The National Park Service is exploring showing herself until any possible threat gy needed for growth. When you see a young animal alone anc means to stabilize the roadway and make is gone. Upon their return, if they find Some young animals, such as bear feel the urge to assist it, remember that it safe for travel in future years. Hikers their young gone, the adults will leave the cubs, are allowed to wander a short dis­ you may alter its life forever. For ar: planning to visit Indian Henrys Hunting site. tance from their parents; sow (female) animal to be truly "wild" it must live it~ Ground should begin at Kautz Creek or The young of birds are put in a similar bears often permit their cubs to explore life free from human assistance. Please Longmire because the Tahoma Creek situation when learning to fly. Young and test their skills. However, the sow is consider the cost to the young animal you trailhead and trail have been washed out. birds must learn to fly on their own. Since always nearby and ready to protect her are trying to save.Q Page 2

n 1883, while on a climbing trip to Mount Rainier, James Longmire found I this meadow and mineral springs that now bear his name. Enchanted by the beauty of the area, he and his family returned and established a resort and health spa from which they extolled the healthful qualities of the mountain air and mineral water. With the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899, the Longmire area became the early center of park activity. The National Park Inn, the main structure dating from 1917, is the survivor of three hotels that were constructed at Longmire between 1890 and 1918. It represents a rustic style of architecture that was used in western national parks until World War II. Visit the remodelled Inn and enjoy the many services provided by Mount Rainier Guest Services.

Cougar Rock Campground: -National Park Inn: Lodging des~ 8 A Opens May 8. Located 2.5 miles _a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Thursday, 8 from Longmire on the Paradise a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Road. Cougar Rock has 200 campsites for holi~ay_s; 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday. tents and trailers; 5 group sites. Site fees are Begmnmg June 13, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., $6 per night on a first-come, first-served CiiJ daily. Dining room hours 7 a.m.-7 basis. Only group sites can be reserved and p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. cost $2 a night per person. Friday, Saturday, and holidays. Beginning Cougar Rock Picnic Area: Opens June 13, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., daily. Post Office May 8. Located across the road from open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday - Friday. ID the Cougar Rock Campground. Beginning June 13, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Saturday. For reservations call: Mount Sunshine Point Campground and Rainier Guest Services at (206) 569-2275. Picnic Area: Located 6 miles west General Store: Open 10 a.m. -5 A of Longmire, .25 mile east of the p.m., daily. Be~inning June 13, 8 Nisqually Entrance. Sunshine Point a.m. -8 p.m., daily. has 18 sites for tents and trailers. Site mGas Station: .ope_n 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., fees are $5 per night on a first-come, Monday - Fnday, 9 a.m. -6 p.m., ID first-served basis. D Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Beginning June 13, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., daily. Located near the National Park Inn.

Friday-9 PM Saturday - 9 PM Campfire Program: 45 minutes. Discover Mount Rainier through a slide program presented by a Park Naturalist at the Cougar Rock Campground Amphitheater. Starts May 22 Starts May 23

o where are all those spectacular sub­ alpine wildflowers? Most are still Ssleeping under the remnants of last winter's snowfall. Paradise, on Mount Rainier's south slope, averages 630 inches of snow each winter and often receives much more than that. The meadows may still be melting out well into July! As the melting snow recedes upslope, look carefully at its edges. Here avalanche and glacier lilies burst forth through the final inches of snow as they strive to get an early start on a short growing season. Soon entire slopes are covered with drifts of white or yellow lilies. Towhead baby, mouse-on-a-stick, old man of the nicknames, most of which refer not to its seed head. Look for this early blooming mountains - the western anemone has many buttercup shaped flower but to its distinctive flower alongside the lilies.

Henry M. Jackson Memorial Food Services, Showers and Gifts: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through June 12 then 8 a.m.-9 Visitor Center: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Available in the Henry M. Jackson p.m., daily. Post Office 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon­ 6 Saturday, Sunday and holidays, CID Memorial Visitor Center, 11 a.m. - day - Friday, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Saturday. For April 6 - May 1. Then 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., May 9i114:45 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and reservations call: Mount Rainier Guest Ser­ 2 - 19; then 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., daily. Exhibits '~holidays, April 6 - May 1. Then 10 vices at (206)569-2275. on animals, glaciers, geology, wildflowers a.m.-6 p.m., May 2 - June 12; then Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.: and mountain climbing. A half-hour pro­ 10 a.m.-7 p.m., daily. Operates the Guide House at gram is shown on the hour and half-hour. aradise Inn: Opens daily for food Paradise, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily (June - The slide program "Is the Mountain a & lodging May 20; dining room September). Summit guided climbs, Museum" rotates schedules with the movie ours for breakfast: 7 a.m.- 9 a.m.; climbing instruction and equipment "Fire and Ice." The Northwest Interpretive - lunch: noon-2 p.m.; dinner: 6 p.m.-8 rentals are available. For those not Association provides books, maps and slides p.m. through June 12 then5:30p.m.- experienced on a glaciated peak, RMI offers for sale across the lobby from the informa­ CiiJ 8:30 p.m.; Sunday Brunch: 11 a.m.- a 3 day package: 1-day climbing seminars, tion desk. 2:30 p.m.; Glacier Lounge open noon-11 combined with a 2-day summit climb. For p.m., daily; Snack bar: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., daily more information call (206) 569-2227. through June 12 then9 a.m.-8p.m. Gift shop:

Evenin g Program: 45 minutes. Discover Mount Rainier through a slide Friday - 9 PM Saturday - 9 PM program presented by a Park Naturalist at the Paradise Inn. Starts May 22 Starts May 23

pecial Programs: Offe red at various times during the spring season. See the Jackson Visitor Center and Paradise Inn Bulletin Boards. xamples of old-growth forest seen by glacier and snowfields, the Ohanapecosh settlers in the Pacific Northwest are River reflects the green of the forest and the E few in number today. The blue of the sky. Only a mile from Ohanapecosh River Valley is one place Ohanapecosh Campground, the river cas­ where old-growth forest remains. Here you cades as beautiful Silver Falls. can walk back in time among stately Early settlers to the Cowlitz Valley were Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western attracted to Ohanapecosh by the hot springs redcedar, 500 to 1,000 years old. The self­ that bubble from the ground. A complete guiding nature trail in the Grove of the resort with cabins, bathhouses and other Patriarchs is an excellent place to experience facilities was developed around the springs. the sublime qualities of the old forests. Today the buildings and baths are gone, but The sparkling clear water of the the shallow springs remain. The self-guiding Ohanapecosh River stands in stark contrast trail, "Life Systems: the Forest and Hot to the brown, milky streams originating from Springs of Ohanapecosh," describes the active glaciers. Flowing from an inactive beauty and history of this interesting area.

0hanapecosh Visitor Center: 9 Ohanapecosh Campground: "Life Systems" Self-guiding a.m. - 6 p.m., weekends, May 23/25 A Opens May 22 for the season. 205 g Trail: 30 minutes . .5 mile. Explore 6 & 30/31 , June 6n & 13/14, then 9 campsites for tents, trailers and/or the forest and hot springs of a.m. - 6 p.m., daily beginning June 15. Ex­ recreational vehicles, but no group sites are Ohanapecosh on this walk starting at the hibits feature animals, old-growth forest and available. Camping fee is $8 per site per visitor center. local history. The Northwest Interpretive night on a first-come, first-served basis. Box Canyon Picnic Area: Between Association provides books, maps and slides Ohanapecosh and Paradise on for sale. IDStevens Canyon Road.

Guided Walks to: Grove of the Patriarchs and Silver Falls. Check campground Saturday, June 27 Sunday, June 28 and visitor center bulletin boards for details. lOAM lOAM

History Walk: 1 hour, .5 mile. Naturalist led walk through Ohanapecosh Monday, May 25 Sunday, June 28 Campground. Discover CCC Camp, Hot Springs Resort, Forest Museum, etc. Meet at Ohanapecosh Visitor Center. lOAM lOAM

Campfire Program: 45 minutes. Discover Mount Rainier through a slide Saturday Sunday program presented by a Park Naturalist at the Ohanapecosh Campground Am­ May 23 & June 6, May 24 & June 28 phitheater. 13,20,27 9PM 9PM

Sunrise Visitor Center: Opens July 3rd. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Exhibits feature 6 the ecology of the park's subalpine environments. The Northwest Interpretive Association provides books, maps and slides for sale. Sunrise Lodge: Opens June 27. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Food service and gift CfiJ shop. Provided by Mount Rainier Guest Services. White River Campground: Opens A June 12. 11 1 sites, no group sites. Camping fee $6 per site pernight, on a first-come, first-served basis. White River Hiker Information Center: Opens May 22. 8 a.m. - 4:30 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday; 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Satur­ day and Sunday. Obtain backcountry per­ mits for overnight trips and hiking informa­ tion in the ranger station at White River Entrance ..

"Carbon River Rain Forest" Self­ g guiding Trail: 20 minutes .. 3 mile. Rain forests seldom occur far from coastal areas; thus, the forest that grows in this valley is special. Explore the only true inland rain forest at Mount Rainier National Park along this trail. lpsut Creek Campground: Opens g May 22. Has 31 sites; 2 group sites. Only group sites can be reserved for $2 per person per night. Site fee: $5 per site per night, on first-come, first-served basis. Picnic Tables: Located at Falls Creek, 2 miles from the entrance. Tables are also located in the Ipsut Creekm Campground near the end of the Carb­ on River road. Campfire Program: Check local bulletin boards for schedules of programs which will begin the first week of July. Page..i

elco~e to Mount Rainier Bienvenido Al Bienvenue Au National Park. We value the W meadows of Paradise and Mount Rainier Mount Rainier Sunrise. The flower fields melt out in Las praderas d.e Para?ise y Sunrise despiertan en l . Les paturages de Paradise et de Sunrise nous sont nosotros un especial canno. Los campos de !lores se Ires prec1eux . La fonte des ne1ges. en 1u1llet et debut July and early August and beautiful , deshie1an en iulio v comienzos de agosto y. a medida . aout, v cede 1a place ii de superbes champs de ne~rs . displays of blossoms spring up as the ' que desaparece la nieve , florecen los campos con un Ces . riches prairies sont pourtant tres fragiles et . . belle despliegue de colorido. Estas frondosas praderas . requ1erent des soins particuliers. Veillez done ii ne snow disappears. These lush meadows . son muy tragiles y requieren de cuidados especiales; . marcher que sur les sentiers renforces. Ne cueillez are very fragile and need special care. por consigu1ente, le rogamos caminar unicamente por aucune tleur et n'en ecrasez aucune. Restez bien sur · los senderos especialmente construidos para tal fin , no les sent1ers pour prendre vos photographies et ne Please walk only on the constructed cortar las !lores ni pisotear las plantas. Permanezca en mangez que dans les zones de pique-nique ind1quees athways. Do not pick any flowers or los senderos a! tomar fotografias y haga sus meriendas - pas sur l'herbe des pres. Nous voulons en effet P campestres en las areas designadas para ello - no en preserver leur beaute pour que tout le monde entier .. Qff ~iL?~ail Mikers ... trample any plants. Stay on pathways las praderas. Nuestra intencion es preservar la belleza puisse en profiter. when taking photographs. Picnic only de estas praderas para que el mundo entero pueda disfrutar al admirarlas. 1 in designated areas - not on the IXifl! :Yt~ Mount Rainier lit!lllH 11111,~t meadows. We want the meadows to Willkommen Im remain beautiful for all the world to see. <*l Ft'.§ Lil~* 0111 )! Mount Rainier Paradise (7C '.i: >&Sunrise( 8 ill )lf.J 'Jff- lili: f.t ft Mount Rainier

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Park speed arrive with local winds and the smell of limits are lower for these and other freshly killed vegetation. The floods sound reasons. Wild animals and park visitors like freight trains as they travel downvalley often dart out into vehicle paths. Rocks at speeds of 9 feet per second or more. and trees seem to "jump out" onto road­ ~ Most Jokulhlaups occur during summer ways at every curve. Snow and rain • Watch your step! Park trails are ·steep or fall, and in late afternoon or evening. ·~• cause slippery road conditions at any and full of rocks and other hazards. Slips, If you intend to observe flood damage at time of year. Drivers sometimes pay and falls from small boulders, can mar a Tahoma Creek or Kautz Creek, be alert. If closer attention to the scenery than to vacation just as quickly as a flying leap over you hear the onrush of the flow, see the road conditiorts. For your safety and the a 1000 foot cliff dust cloud upvalley, or feel a sudden protection of park animals and trees - •Be Careful Near Streams! Slippery change in valley winds, move up hill away please slow down and park in pullouts rocks on stream banks cause falls and from the stream instead of up or down to enjoy the scenery. At a slower pace, swift water carries away unwary waders stream. Don't be caught near the stream­ you just might enjoy the park more. and swimmers. Supervise children near bed. Please heed park regulations regarding Now, isn't that what you came for? streams and waterfalls and at Box Canyon travel near flood-prone areas. to avoid drowning. • What is Falling on Your Head? • Before You Drink the Water, Beware of rocks, snow avalanches, and • Jokulhlaups may be the greatest BEWARE! The gushing mountain streams debris falling on trails and rolling onto danger in stream crossings. Jokulhlaups - and springs of Mount Rainier may be beau­ an Icelandic word pronounced "yo-kul-h­ roadways. Climbers wear hardhats for tiful to look at and delicious to drink from , loips" - are flash floods of water that burst safety. All of us should keep a sharp from glaciers and race down valleys but too often the waterways are home for watch for what is dropping from moving trees, boulders and other objects some nasty little creatures that can give overhead. you less than pleasant memories. Unfortu· nately, micro-organisms like Giardia have •Lyme Disease is an illness transmitted been brought to Mount Rainier by by ticks. Not all ticks carry the disease, humans. These organisms remain here but several cases have been reported in harbored in native animal populations. the Pacific Northwest. Contrary to historic claims, Longmire Symptoms can be severe, including Mineral and Ohanapecosh hot spring arthritis, meningitis, neurological prob­ waters are NOT.safe to drink. Rather than lems and/or cardiac distress. These •Protect Your Valuables - "Don't be a "curing what ails you," water from these symptoms can occur a few weeks to victim," says Park Ranger John Jensen. springs could cause severe intestinal in their path. At Mount Rainier, over a year after the tick bite. Early Vacationers generally are in a relaxed upsets. Please drink water only from jokulhlaups leave us a legacy of twisted treated, piped water systems. sigrts include a rash around the infected frame of mind, and don't practice the trails and highway bridges amid boulder­ tick bite and flu-like symptoms. Timely same precautions against thievery as strewn streambeds. They can affect treatment can cure or lessen the severity they might at home. Unfortunately, human activity where trails or ro_ads cross of the disease. If you experience these thieves visit Mount Rainier along with the stream valleys. This happened at symptoms and were bitten by a tick, be the good folks. Rangers urge locking Kautz Creek where a flood buried the certain to tell your doctor. If you are everything of value in the car's trunk, roadway under twenty feet of mud and rock in 194 7. Several jokulhlaups or putting it out of sight, and locking diagnosed as having Lyme disease, and obliterated the Tahoma Creek Trail in you believe that you were bitten at all doors and windows. Purses, billfolds, 1988 and closed the Westside Road until Mount Rainier, have your doctor cameras and other valuables can be a suitable alternate route can be con­ contact the park at (206)569-2211. prizes for a thief. structed.