'TIS THE SEASON FOR JOKULHLAUPS!
The recent glacial outburst flood on the South Tahoma Glacier was
right on target if you take a quick look back at some recorded
jokulhlaups that have occurred this century on the south side of Mount
Rainier:
| DATE |
GLACIER |
SUSPECTED CAUSE |
| October , 1926 | Nisqually | Heavy rains |
| October 14, 1932 | Nisqually | Heavy rains |
| October 24, 1934 | Nisqually | Heavy rains |
| October 2, 1947 | Kautz | Heavy rains |
| October 2, 1947 | Nisqually | Heavy rains |
| October 25, 1955 | Nisqually | Heavy rains |
| August 23, 1961 | Kautz | High temperature |
| August 31, 1967 | South Tahoma | High temperature |
| August 21, 1970 | South Tahoma | High temperature |
| July 25, 1985 | Kautz | High temperature |
| June 15, 1986 | Nisqually | High temperature, no flood |
| October 25, 1986 | South Tahoma | Heavy rains |
Numerous other floods probably have taken place but were not detected
due to their smaller scale. According to Carolyn Driedger, USGS
geologist, this year's outburst floods have given support to a proposal
for USGS to study when, where, how, and why they happen. Carolyn thinks
that there may be a cycle due to periods of stagnant ice during glacial
retreats.
If you know of other outburst floods at Mount Rainier, please contact
the Division of Interpretation. The recent examples of living geology
will be featured in the next issue of Nature Notes.
Lynn Arthur
TWIN FIRS
Convincing most visitors that there is more to Mount Rainier than the
spectacular glacial views and vivid floral displays of the Paradise
sub-alpine meadows is often difficult to do. Yet, there are always
people up for a different experience. They are ready to "get down" into
the low elevation old-growth forest which provides the essential frame,
or context, for the monumentally spectacular peak. These are the "tree
people" for whom a two hundred fifty foot Douglas fir is just as
spectacular as an avalanche lily.
When, now and then, you run across such visitors, it is traditional
to direct them to Ohanapecosh's Grove of the Patriarchs. In summer this
is easy, but in winter, the roads are blocked by snow. In any season
there is a little known alternative in the Longmire area -- the Twin
Firs Trail. Enormous firs, up to eight feet in diameter, tower over
their fallen competitors. Small streams cascade down fern draped
drainages. And everywhere the characteristic shade tolerant understory
-- dominated by foamflower (Tiarella unifolita) -- is nothing
short of lush.
The Twin Firs trail is located 1.8 miles below Longmire on the right
hand side of the road as one heads downhill towards the Nisqually
Entrance. It is unmarked except for a vehicle pull-out that is capable
of accommodating several vehicles at a time. Watch for the two very
large Twin firs by the pull-out from which the trail gains its name. The
trail is not maintained, yet it is very easy to follow this half-mile
loop.
Twin Firs is a seldom visited, but very special part of the park.
Yet, for the unique, "forest minded" visitors, a walk through this grove
of giants can be a sublime experience which will surely enhance their
Mount Rainier tour.
Chris Maun
from Origin of Geographic Names of Tacoma/Pierce County
Washington By Gary Fuller Reese
NARADA FALLS -- These falls are on the south central slope of Mount
Rainier on the lower Paradise River where the river leaves Paradise
Valley. Narada was a spiritual being worshipped by the Brahman people in
India for his service to the first race of man. The word Narada is of
Theosophical origin meaning "uncontaminated." The beauty of the scene,
in its pure and original form, suggested the name to an early visiting
group of Theosophists. There was a movement in 1909 soon after the death
of Congressman Francis Cushman to change the name of these falls to
Cushman Falls in his honor.
