Your National Parks Part 33

Board and lodging: Per day $2.50 Per week 16.00 Per month 60.00 Lodging, 1 night 1.00 Single meal .75

At this camp there are also telephone station, general store, feed-yard, photograph gallery, and post-office.

The princ.i.p.al attraction of this Park is the grove of big trees.

Fis.h.i.+ng is not very attractive.

Clothing and equipment should be similar to that used in Sequoia National Park.

Mount Rainier National Park

Location: West-Central Was.h.i.+ngton. Area: 324 square miles. Season: June 15 to September 15. Address of Supervisor: Ashford, Was.h.i.+ngton.

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK includes a single great mountain and its approaches, but the Reservation offers unlimited variety and enjoyment for every cla.s.s of tourist. An automobile road extends to the very edge of the glaciers; trails lead through the fragrant woods and wild-flower meadows; rocky outliers of the great mountain afford endless opportunities for climbing; and the great snow-covered peak flings his defiance to those that are strong of wind and limb. As the glaciers are only four hours' ride by automobile from Tacoma a glimpse of these rivers of ice may be obtained in a two-day trip, but many days might well be spent in seeing the beauties of nature that are grouped in an area that is relatively small.

Railroad Connections

The southern portion of the Park--the only part developed at present--is reached from Ashford, 6-1/2 miles from the Park, on the Tacoma Eastern Railroad, a branch line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.

Paul. The round-trip fare from Tacoma to Ashford is $4.00. From Ashford automobile stages of the Rainier National Park Company run to the princ.i.p.al points on the south side--Longmire Springs, 6-1/2 miles from the Park entrance; the camp at Nisqually Glacier; and the new hotel and camp at Paradise Valley, in the very shadow of the mountain.

This company also operates public automobiles from Seattle and Tacoma.

_Automobile transportation rates_

Seattle to Longmire Springs and return $9.50 Seattle to Paradise Valley and return 12.50 Tacoma to Longmire Springs and return 7.00 Tacoma to Paradise Valley and return 10.00 Ashford to Longmire Springs and return 2.00 Ashford to Paradise Valley and return 5.00

The northern portion of the Park is reached from Fairfax and Enumclaw, on the Northern Pacific Railway. The round-trip fare from Tacoma is $2.50 to Fairfax, and $2.00 to Enumclaw. There are no transportation lines that operate on this side of the Park and arrangements must be made for pack-horses and camp outfits.

Automobile Routes

There is a good automobile road from Tacoma and Seattle to Ashford, and thence through the National Forest to Longmire Springs, Nisqually Glacier, and Paradise Valley. For 28 miles from Tacoma the road runs at the base of huge timbered bluffs, traverses the Ohop Valley, and reaches the Park by way of the Nisqually Canon. The distance from Tacoma to Longmire Springs is 57 miles; from Seattle, 96 miles.

Automobilists are required to obtain a permit from the Park Supervisor at Ashford. The fee for an automobile is $4.00 for a single round trip through the Park or $6.00 for a season permit. The fee for a motor-cycle is $1.00 for the season. The regulations provide that automobiles and motor-cycles may use the road from the boundary of the Park to Longmire Springs only between 6 A.M. and 9 p.m.; but no car or motor-cycle is allowed to enter the Park or leave Longmire Springs in the direction of the western boundary later than 8.30 P.M. Automobiles and motor-cycles may use the road from Longmire Springs to Paradise Valley only between 6 A.M. and 9.30 P.M.; but no machine is allowed to leave Longmire Springs in the direction of Paradise Valley later than 7.30 P.M. or depart from Paradise Valley in the direction of Longmire Springs before 6 A.M. or later than 7.30 P.M. The speed limit ranges from 8 to 15 miles per hour.

Regular automobile service between the Park and Seattle and Tacoma is rendered at the rates given on page 461.

Hotels and Camps

At Longmire Springs, 6-1/2 miles from the entrance to the Park, are the National Park Inn and Camp and the Longmire Springs Hotel. The rates at the National Park Inn are $4.00 and $4.50 per day in the hotel, and $3.75 and $4.00 in the camp. The rates at Longmire Springs Hotel are $2.50 per day.

The Rainier National Park Company has a new modern hotel (Paradise Inn) in Paradise Park, within easy access of the glaciers. The same company also operates a lunch pavilion at Paradise Park and camps at Paradise Park, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, and Nisqually Glacier.

Paradise Inn is operated on both the American and European plan at the following rates:--

American plan:-- Meals at Inn and bed in tents $3.50 Meals and room at Inn $3.75 to 6.25 European plan:-- Tents $.75 to $1.00 Rooms 1.00 to 3.50 Meals _a la carte_.

A discount of 20 per cent is allowed persons remaining one week or more.

There is also a camp at Paradise Park at which tents may be obtained for 50 cents per day. These tents are all floored and contain a double bed, spring, mattress, washstand, bowl, pitcher, and chair. Blankets and sheets, pillows, pillow-cases, and towels may be rented, or the tourist may bring his own equipment. Meals may be obtained at an _a la carte_ lunch pavilion or they may be prepared at outdoor cook furnace at the camp. Staple supplies may be purchased.

Rates at camp at Indian Henry's Hunting Ground are: bed, $.75; meals, $.75; board per week, $15.

Rates at camp at Nisqually Glacier are $.75 and $1.00 per day; meals _a la carte_.

Free public camping grounds are provided at Hausen's Camp, Kautz Creek, Longmire Springs, Van Trump Park, and Paradise Valley. Firewood and running water are available at all these places, but the camper must bring his own equipment.

Trips

The only road in this Park is the one extending from the entrance past Longmire Springs and Nisqually Glacier to Paradise Park. All other trips are made on horseback or on foot over the network of excellent trails that have been cut through the forest. There are no regular tours scheduled as in some of the other Parks, but special arrangements have to be made for guides and horses at the established rates.

Transportation service within the Park is rendered by the Rainier National Park Company, which operates automobiles on the road along the south side of the mountain and has horses for hire at the hotels at Longmire Springs and Paradise Valley and the camp at Indian Henry's Hunting Ground.

_Transportation rates_

Automobile, Longmire Springs to Nisqually Glacier and return $1.00 Automobile, Longmire Springs to Paradise Valley and return 3.00 Horses, per day 3.50

The same company also furnishes guides free of charge for parties of five or more; if there are less than five persons in the party the charge for guide is $3.50 per day.

The places listed below by no means exhaust the attractive spots of this reservation, but are given for the benefit of the person whose time is limited. There is a good trail encircling the mountain and the circuit may be made in about a week. Pack-animals and guides may be obtained from the Rainier National Park Company. Camping outfits should be secured in Seattle or Tacoma.

On the southern side of the Park Paradise Park, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, and Van Trump Park are the most easily reached and consequently the most frequented places. As the trails to these places are well defined, guides will not be needed.

Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, 6-1/2 miles from Longmire Springs, is reached by trail only. This trip may be made afoot, or ponies may be secured at Longmire Springs where the most frequently used of the three trails leading to this resort begins. A tent camp is located in Indian Henry's Hunting Ground.

To reach Van Trump Park the same Indian Henry's Hunting Ground trail is taken, branching off to the right after about 1 mile of travel.

This Park is also reached by a trail starting from the Government road at Christine Falls, about 4 miles above Longmire Springs, and following up Van Trump Creek. This is one of the most picturesque trails in the Park. From it can be seen beautiful glimpses of a deep canon and a succession of cascades or falls.

Ramparts Ridge, 1-1/4 miles north of Longmire Springs, from which a fine view is obtained, is a very popular trip. The climb of about 1000 feet can be made in about one hour.

Eagle Peak (elevation 5955 feet), 3-1/4 miles east from Longmire Springs, is also a popular trip. A good foot trail leads directly to the summit, which commands a magnificent view of the south side of Mount Rainier and the surrounding country. Parties making this trip usually take lunch along, and spend several hours at the summit.

The Ohanapecosh Valley, with its beautiful Silver Spring Falls, is reached by trail only from Longmire Springs. This is a trip filled with interest, but should be taken only by good riders or pedestrians who are accustomed to long, hard walks.

The glaciers may be reached from the hotel in Paradise Park and the camp at Nisqually Glacier. The glaciers should not be crossed without a guide or unless shoes are properly calked. The charge for guide to snow-fields and glaciers is $1.50 per person. This charge includes clothing and equipment. The minimum charge for guide service is $8.00.

There are no hotels or camps in the northern portion of the Park, and persons visiting this region must have complete camping outfits and a supply of provisions. Pack-horses may be secured by engaging them in advance from H. A. Loss, Carbonado, Was.h.i.+ngton, or from Curtis White, Enumclaw, Was.h.i.+ngton. The entire northern side is a wonderful region of mountains and valleys that has been visited by only a few tourists.

A trip to Pinnacle Peak and return may be made from Paradise Park in from 6 to 8 hours. The charge for a guide is $4.00 per person with a minimum charge of $12.00. Clothing and equipment are furnished without extra cost.

Climbing the Mountain[1]