EXPLORING THE MOUNTAIN AND ITS GLACIERS, 1896 



on the side toward the mountain, which towers above it 

 on the north. To the east it is bordered by Cowlitz 

 Glacier, and on the west by Nisqually Glacier. Each 

 of these fine ice rivers descends far below timber line. 

 The small interglacier, known as the Paradise Glacier, 

 may be considered as lying within the limits of the 

 park. 



Paradise Park presents many and varied charms. It 

 is a somewhat rugged land, with a deep picturesque 

 valley winding through it. The trees grow in isolated 

 groves. Each bunch of dark-green firs and balsams 

 is a cluster of gracefully tapering spires. The undu- 

 lating meadows between the shady groves are brilliant 

 in summer with a veritable carpet of gorgeous blos- 

 soms. In contrast to the exquisite charms of the 

 groves and flower-decked rolling meadows are deso- 

 late ice fields and rugged glaciers which vary, through 

 many tints and shades, from silvery whiteness to in- 

 tense blue. Added to these minor charms, and tower- 

 ing far above them, is the massive summit of Rainier. 

 At times the sublime mountain appears steel blue in 

 the unclouded sky, or rosy with the afterglow at sun- 

 set, or all aflame with the glories of the newborn day. 

 Clouds gather about the lofty summit and transform 

 it into a storm king. Avalanches rushing down its 

 side awaken the echoes in the neighboring forest. 

 The appearance of the mountain is never the same on 

 different days ; indeed, it changes its mood and exerts a 

 varying influence on the beholder from hour to hour. 



While the central attraction to the lover of moun- 

 tain scenery in Paradise Park is the vast snow-covered 

 dome of Mount Rainier, there are other mountains in 

 view that merit attention. To the east rises the 

 serrate and rugged Tattoosh range, which is remark- 

 able for the boldness with which its bordering slopes 

 rise from the forested region about it and the angularity 

 of its many serrate summits. This range has never 

 been explored except by miners and hunters, who have 



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