MOUNT RAINIER Rules and Regulations 1920

SCENIC APPROACHES FROM TACOMA.

Leading south as the crow flies, down the main business artery of Tacoma, the highway to the park really begins in the very business center of the city. For 28 miles the railroad and the highway, paralleling each other, run along the base of huge timbered bluffs which rise sheer from the prairie level, or through timbered copses and huddling jack pines that dot the landscape, mirroring themselves in the crystal water of many lakes.

At the foothills of the mountain the railroad and the highway really become canyon roads. From the top of King Hill, overlooking Ohop Valley, the highway affords a most inspiring view of the great mountain and its surrounding peaks and valleys. This point is about half way to the park entrance. After descending this hill the road begins rising, almost imperceptibly at first, toward the eternal snows on the mountain's dome. On all sides are mighty firs as yet barely touched by the lumbermen. Now and again the highways—smooth surfaced from January to December—leads at the brink of canyons; gullies they are, compared to what come farther toward the clouds. Here the road turns suddenly on itself and in a twinkling is across the valley's floor. A few hundred yards and it begins again to climb, this time through fir forests a hundred times more splendid than were found before the Ohop was reached.

PRINCIPAL AUTOMOBILE ROADS IN WASHINGTON.

Presently the traveler finds himself looking down a sheer thousand feet to where the Nisqually River, threads its way to the sea. This is the Nisqually Canyon. How the road ever came to wind its very lip is one of the marvels that only the engineer can explain. Near the lower end of the canyon is a great commercial enterprise made possible by the great glaciers of the Mount Rainier National Park. The city of Tacoma has built a $2,500,000 electric plant, and electric light and power are furnished in abundance for the citizens of that municipality, and from the road a full view of the huge project unfolds.

For seeming miles of breathless interest the road runs perilously above the canyon; then, presently, it plunges anew into the endless forests of fir and goes on and on, always gently climbing. The railroad ends at Ashford, 6 miles from the park entrance. At this point motor stages pick up the travelers by rail.

A portion of the Rainier National Forest, 3 miles in width at this point, is crossed just before reaching Mount Rainier National Park, and then the park entrance is reached, almost at the southwest corner of the park. Here a huge log gate has been erected, and through this gate alone may comfortable entry be had to this portion of the mountain park with vehicles. Just inside the gate is a lodge, where the visitor must register and become apprised of the rules; then on and on the road plunges, through timber so dense the earlier forests seem pigmy, with glimpses of the mountain breaking through ever and anon and the sound of many rushing waters coming through the trees, until at a sudden turn an evidence of civilization presents itself in the form of the National Park Inn and Longmire Springs.

The mountain road really begins at Longmire Springs. By switchback and crooked twist it rises gradually into the clouds, doubling back and forth on itself far below, every foot revealing some new glory that beggars word description. After 5-1/2 miles the way leads on to a bridge. At the left, less than a thousand feet away, a huge wall of ice rears into the air. This is the terminus of Nisqually Glacier and the beginning of the Nisqually River.

From the glacier the road leads on, with devious windings and turnings, through scenery more glorious every yard, until finally, where eternal snows begin, it ends.

WHAT TO WEAR—WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU.

Reasonably warm clothing should be worn by all park visitors and they should be prepared for sudden changes of weather and altitude.

Those who intend to live in the open or to do any hiking should give particular attention to the footwear to be worn after leaving hotel or camp. Medium-weight shoes, hobnailed, will suffice for all ordinary tramping, but for ice climbing calks instead of hobnails should be used. If the services of guides are to be engaged the guides will provide the calked shoes, clothing, alpenstocks, colored glasses, and face paints necessary for trips over snow and ice fields. Arrangements for guides on the South Side can be made with the Rainier National Park Co.

Visitors who intend to camp in the public camp grounds should furnish their own tents, bedding, cooking utensils, provisions, etc. There are grocery stores at Ashford and Longmire Springs where provisions may be purchased by campers. Provisions may also be purchased from the Rainier National Park Co. at Paradise Valley.

ADMINISTRATION.

The Mount Rainier National Park was established by the act of March 2, 1899 (30 Stat., 993). The representative of the National Park Service in immediate charge of the park is the superintendent, Mr. Roger W. Toll. A force of rangers assist this officer in protecting the reservation. Exclusive jurisdiction over the park was ceded to the United States by act of the Washington Legislature dated March 16, 1901, and accepted by Congress by act approved June 30, 1916 (39 Stat., 243). Mr. Edward S. Hall is the United States Commissioner for the park.

The tourist season extends from June 15 to September 15. The address of the superintendent is Longmire, Wash., between June 15 and September 15, and Ashford, Wash., during the remainder of the year. General information may be obtained from the superintendent. All complaints should be addressed to him.

RAILROAD ROUTES TO MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK.