MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK l/lsajJiswujJArns UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Mount Rainier [WASHINGTON] National Park United States Department of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, Secretary NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Arno B. Cammerer, Director UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1937 RULES AND REGULATIONS • Briefed • Events OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE REGULATIONS are designed not only to protect the natural beauties of the park but to aid visitors in the full enjoyment of this scenic area. You are requested to assist the park administration by respecting both the simple rules and the rights of others. The following synopsis is for your guidance; 1792 May 8. Capt. George Vancouver of the Royal British Navy, first white man to record sight of "The Mountain", complete rules and regulations may be seen at the superintendent's office named it Mount Rainier in honor of his friend Admiral at Longmire or at all ranger stations. Park rangers are here to help and Peter Rainier. advise you as well as to enforce the regulations. Consult them freely. 1833 September 2. Dr. William Fraser Tolmie of Nisqually House, a Hudson's Bay post, entered the northwest corner Fires.—Build fires only in designated places; always extinguish COMPLETELY before leav­ of what is now the park. He was the first white man to penetrate this region. ing camp. Do not guess your fire is out—KNOW IT. DO not throw burning tobacco or matches along the sides of roads or trails. 1857 July 16. Lt. A. V. Kautz of the United States Army gar­ rison at Fort Stcilacoom, and four companions, made the Keep park clean.—Keep your camp clean. As far as possible, burn garbage in your first attempt to scale Mount Rainier. Lieutenant Kautz did not reach the summit. Due to the lateness of the campfire; place cans and residue in containers provided. If no container is provided, hour, he was compelled to turn back at an elevation of bury the refuse. Do not throw lunch papers, wrappers or other trash along roads or about 12,000 feet. trails. Carry the material until you can burn it or place in receptacle. 1870 August 17. Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump of Olympia, Wash., made the first successful ascent of Trees, flowers and animals.—Within the park the destruction, injury or disturbance in Mount Rainier (via Gibraltar route). any way of trees, flowers, birds or animals is prohibited. However, dead and fallen trees may be used for firewood, except in campgrounds where wood is provided. 1870 October 17. Samuel Franklin Emmons and Dr. A. D. Wilson of the United States Geological Survey reached the summit via Cowlitz Glacier-Gibraltar route. This Automobiles.—Drive carefully and obey park traffic rules. Secure entrance permit; was the second successful ascent. fee $1. Weekdays park gates are open from 6 a. m. to 9:30 p. m.; Sundays, holidays and days preceding holidays, from 5 a. m. to 11 p. m. 1883 August. Longmire Mineral Springs were discovered by James Longmire during the return trip of the third suc­ cessful summit climb. Others who made the ascent were Dogs, cats, firearms.—Dogs, cats, and firearms are not allowed within the park. Fire­ G. B. Bayley and P. B. Van Trump. Longmire later arms may be checked at entrance ranger stations. Dogs and cats will be cared for at established a homestead claim about the springs. nominal rates at kennels near park entrances. 1884 James Longmire, aided by sons and grandsons, built the first trail from Sukotash Valley (now Ashford) to Long­ Warning about bears.—Do not feed bears from your hand; the animals are wild and may mire Springs. bite or strike. If not molested the bears will not harm you. They will break into camps or automobiles for odorous food. Supplies, placed in a box or sack, should be suspended 1885 August. Visiting the alpine meadow for her first time, Mrs. between two trees at least 8 feet above the ground. Bears are especially hungry in the Elcain Longmire named the area Paradise Valley because of the beautiful wild-flower display. spring and fall, and serious damage may result if food is left accessible to them. 1890 August 10. The first woman, Fay Fuller, reached the Lost and pound articles.—Lost or found articles should be reported to park headquarters summit of Mount Rainier. at Longmire or to any ranger station. Persons should leave their names and addresses so 1890-91 The Longmire family, assisted by several Indians, con­ articles not claimed within 60 days may be returned to the finders. structed the first road from Sukotash Valley (now Ash­ ford) to Longmire Springs. Suggestions and comments.—Suggestions, complaints, or comments regarding any phase of park management, including the operation of campgrounds and hotels and the attitude of employees, should be communicated immediately to the superintendent. 1893 December 12. Hon. Watson C. Squire, United States Senator, introduced a bill for the establishment of "Wash­ Contents ington National Park." The name was later modified to Mount Rainier National Park. 1895 The Longmires constructed the first trail to Paradise Valley. Page Vast Size of Mountain 2 1899 March 2. Mount Rainier National Park was established by act of Congress, approved by President McKinley. i Its Lofty Height 3 A Glacial Octopus 3 1904-5 Eugene V. Ricksecker and United States Army Engineers surveyed the route of the present Paradise Valley Road. Wealth of Gorgeous Flowers 5 Construction began in 1906. The Forests 7 How To Reach the Park 11 1909 Regular (horse-drawn) stage service was started between j Ashford and Longmire. , By Automobile 11 By Railroad and Automobile Stage 13 1912 October 8. President Taft visited the park and rode to Paradise Valley on the partially completed road. The By Airplane 13 President's car was bogged above Narada Falls, however, j Administration 16 and was pulled into the valley by a team of mules. Presi­ dent Taft was the only Chief Executive who visited the Public Campgrounds 16 park while in office. i Post Offices 16 1913 Government surveyors of the United States Geological Communication and Express Service 16 Survey established the elevation of Mount Rainier as Medical Service 16 14,408 feet above sea level. Trails 17 1916 Women were first allowed to drive over park roads. What To Wear 17 Fishing 17 1916 The National Park Service was established as the adminis- ] Mount Rainier Summit Climb 18 trative body for the national parks. j Accommodations and Expenses 19 1917 July 1. Paradise Inn formally was opened to the public. Summer Season 20 1931 January 31. As the eastern park boundary was extended Winter Season 21 ,, to the summit of the Cascade Range, an area of 53.1 Ohanapecosh Hot Springs 22 square miles was added to the park. The total area now is 377.78 square miles. Horseback Trips and Guide Service 23 Transportation 24 1931 March 24. Mather Memorial Parkway was established Tables of Distances 25 comprising 50 miles of the most scenic section of Chinook Pass Highway within the national park and national Principal Points of Interest 31 forest. Reached From Paradise Valley 31 1931 July 15. Yakima Park first was opened to the public. Reached From Yakima Park 33 Reached From Longmire 34 1933 September 2. New Mowich Entrance was dedicated. Reached From Ohanapecosh 34 Ceremonies commemorated Dr. William Fraser Tolmie 1 who, as first white man to enter the area, penetrated the References 35 wilderness 100 years earlier. Government Publications 36 AN ALL-YEAR PARK tained at Paradise Community House, Yakima Park Blockhouse, and Longmire Museum. MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK may be fully enjoyed throughout the Hikes from Longmire.—Free hikes, requiring 1 day for the round trip, year. The summer season extends from early June to early November; the are conducted daily by ranger naturalists from the museum to Van Trump winter ski season, from late November well into May. All-year roads make Park, Indian Henrys Hunting Ground, Summit of Eagle Peak, crest of the park always accessible. Goblers Knob (fire lookout station), Klapatche Park, and other points of Nisqually Road is open to Paradise Valley from about June 25 to about interest. November 15; during the winter season Nisqually Road is maintained to Shorter hikes of a half day or less may be arranged to the beaver dams, Narada Falls, 1.5 miles by trail from Paradise Valley. White River Road crest of Rampart Ridge, and other interesting places. Schedule for these to Yakima Park is open from about June 20 to about November 15 but is hikes are posted weekly at the museum and announced nightly at the closed during the winter. East Side Road to Ohanapecosh Hot Springs and lectures. Make arrangements with ranger naturalists at the museum. Carbon River Road, 6 miles within the park, are open from about June 1 to Hikes from Paradise.—Free short hikes (approximately 2 hours) start about November 15. Both are closed during the winter. twice daily from the Community House at 9 a. m. and 2 p. m. under NOTE.—Opening and closing dates of park roads are dependent upon leadership of naturalists. snow conditions. Write the park superintendent for exact dates each year. Hikes from Yakima Park.—Free hikes of varying distances, including Adequate hotel and cabin accommodations are always available, except short nature walks and longer trips, are conducted by ranger naturalists in Carbon River district. from the Blockhouse daily. A schedule is posted at the Blockhouse and WHAT TO DO announced nightly at lectures. Hiking.—When planning hikes review tables on pages 31 to 34, inclusive, Nature trails.—Visit the "Trail of the Shadows" at Longmire, "Snout listing principal points of interest reached from Paradise Valley, Yakima of Nisqually Glacier" at Glacier Bridge parking area, and "Nisqually Vista Park, Longmire, and Ohanapecosh.