SHASTA ROUTE SEATTLE TO SAN FRANCISCO, 17 



Mount Rainier is the noblest of the peaks that overlook our Pacific 

 coast. It attains an elevation of 14,408 feet and is the highest 

 peak of the Cascade Range. Like Fujiyama in Japan and Sliishaldin 

 in Alaska, it rises majestically with the graceful lines that proclaim 



its volcanic origm. 



tie green of 

 merires into 



which it appears to belong rather than to the earth. From this cone 

 a score of radiating glaciers, the largest in the United States, extend 

 down the gashed slopes into the forest below, where they give rise 

 to rushuig, roaring rivers of milk-white water. Over 25 years ago 

 James Brvce, later British ambassador to this country, and Karl 



von Zittel, the well-kno\\Ti German geologist, visited Mount Rainier, 

 and in a report expressed the hope that this peak might bo reserved 

 as a national park. It is gratifying to Americans to know that these 

 experienced and discriminating travelers said that they had seen 

 nothhig ^'more beautiful in Switzerland or T^toI, in Norway, or in 

 tho Pyrenees than the Carbon River glaciers and the great Puyallup 

 glaciers." 



m some 



the lower slopes of Mount Rainier, whoever is weary of ihe city may 

 find true recreation. All about are bricrht flowers, which 



^^*l. ^*Vy ,, V.^W, .F.^«X-.** W^^V^^^ 



the summer follow the retreatmg snowbanks m a succession of gar- 

 dens wherein natiu'e displays a profusion of bloom alongside of ice 

 and snow. Below are the forests, dark and almost silent, except 

 where their stillness is broken by the raucous cry of the Clark crow 

 or where some stream roars over the bowlders or splashes musically 

 among the ferns. Above all looms the peak, clad in eternal snow. 



The volcanic cone of Mount Rainier has been built up by lava 

 erupted through past ages. Although it is practically extinct, its 

 crater still gives forth steam and sulphurous fumes. The form of the 

 cone has been modified by the destructive work of glaciers, which have 

 cut deep grooves into the mountain sides, and of avalanches, whose 

 occasional thunder testifies to the contmued attack of atmospheric 

 agencies. 



Mountain goats, marmots, and ptarmigan constitute the fauna of 

 the moimtain. 



To avoid some heavy grades the Northern Pacific Co., by tumieling 

 Point Defiance and continuing thence bv wav of Steilacoom, has 

 recently budb a new line from Tacoma to Tenino, commonly known as 

 ''the loop," thus enabling the traveler to enjoy some coast scenery. 

 This line is 6 miles longer than the old line, but the easier grades offset 



m 



Im 



mills 



96286°— Bun. 61-^15 



