172 GUIDEBOOK OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. 
After passing Empire (see sheet 25, p. 176), Satus, Toppenish Ridge, 
and Alfalfa the traveler can get a full view of Mount Adams, far to 
the west. Although it is here more than 50 miles 
distant, its great height (12,307 feet above sea level) 
makes it conspicuous. (See Pl. XXIII, p. 167.) To 
one unaccustomed to judging of the magnitude of dis- 
tant mountains, the first view of Mount Adams may be 
disappointing, but after watching it for some time and comparing it 
with objects near by the observer will find that its enormous bulk be- 
comes more apparent. How cold it seems in its eternal pall of white! 
The mountain looks like some patrician of old, holding himself erect 
and aloof from all surroundings! Long ago it was an active voleano 
emitting molten lava, but its activity ceased, and for unknown ages 
the mountain has stood the cold, calm, rugged peak it is to-day. 
Just beyond Mount Adams and from many points of view hidden by 
it is Mount St. Helens, which within the memory of the white man 
has showed signs of volcanic activity. It is apparent that the vol- 
canoes of the Cascade Range, while possibly extinct, have not been 
so for a great length of time. That they may be only smoldering is 
indicated by the recent outburst of Lassen Peak, in California, 
which stands along the same line of voleanic disturbance.t Mount 
Adams remains a magnificent spectacle, until the view of it is shut 
off by the Atanum Ridge, north of Parker. Although 
Alfalfa. 
Elevation 723 feet. 
Population 81.* 
St. Paul 1,717 miles. 
Toppenish, the country about Toppenish lies within the Yakima 
Elevation 765 feet. Indian Reservation, it is well watered by ditches that 
Population 1,598, 
receive their supply from the river in the vicinity of 
the next ridge, which can be seen in the distance. 
The land is well cultivated, though not so intensively as that covered 
by the Sunnyside reclamation project across the river. 
ile enjoying the beautiful spectacle of Mount Adams, the 
traveler should look a little farther to the north where, if the atmos- 
phere is clear and no cloud banners intervene, he may be fortunate 
enough to catch a view of the summit of Mount Rainier (Tacoma), 
St. Paul 1,721 miles. 
' The view from Alfalfa or Toppenish 
gives to the traveler an excellent idea of 
the height and character of the Cascade 
Range and of the volcanic cones which 
project above its apparently even crest 
i In order, however, to understand 
fully the relations of these cones and the 
character of topography of the platform 
upon which they are built, it is 
know something of the history 
the region was subject to the action of 
the elements, and the rain and streams 
reduced the surface to a nearly uniform 
plain only a slight distance above sea 
level. From this plain the present Cas- 
cade Range was formed by a gradual up- 
lift of the surface along the axis of the 
. This upward movement con- 
tinued until the surface was raised to a 
height of 4,000 feet above sea level in the 
south and about 8,000 feet in the north, 
In this uplifted mass the streams carved 
deep channels or canyons, almost de- 
stroying the plateau and leaving only the 
