GLACIERS OF MOUNT RAINIER 



tends to prolong the glacier's life, for the latter lies 

 compactly in the hollow with a relatively small surface 

 exposed to melting. The cirque, therefore, is at once 

 the product of the glacier and its generator and con- 

 server. 



Of the lower course of the Carbon Glacier little need 

 here be said, as it does not differ materially from the 

 lower courses of the glaciers already described. It 

 may be mentioned, however, that toward its terminus 

 the glacier makes a steep descent and develops a 

 series of parallel medial moraines and that it reaches 

 down to an elevation of 3,365 feet, almost 600 feet 

 lower than any other ice stream on Mount Rainier. 

 A beautiful cave usually forms at the point of exit of 

 the Carbon River. 



West of the profound canyon of the Carbon River, 

 there rises a craggy range which the Indians have 

 named the Mother Mountains. From its narrow back- 

 bone one looks down on either side into broadly open, 

 semicircular valley heads. Some drain northward to 

 the Carbon River, some southward to the Mowich 

 River. Encircling them run attenuated rock parti- 

 tions, surmounted by low, angular peaks ; while cut- 

 ting across their stairwise descending floors are pre- 

 cipitous steps of rock, a hundred feet in height. On 

 the treads lie scattered shallow lakelets, strung to- 

 gether by little silvery brooks trickling in capricious 

 courses. 



Most impressive is the basin that lies immediately 

 under the west end of the range. Smoothly rounded 

 like a bowl, it holds in its center an almost circular 

 lake of vivid emerald hue that mysterious body of 

 water known as Crater Lake. Let it be said at once 

 that this appellation is an unfortunate misnomer. The 

 basin is not of volcanic origin. It lies in lava and other 

 volcanic rocks, to be sure, but these are merely spread- 

 ing layers of the cone of Mount Rainier. Ice is the 

 agent responsible for the carving of the hollow. It 



233 



