P;;^f In the Open— The National Forests of Washington 



Glacier Peak, 10,436 feet high, is the most noted landmark in the region, and 

 one of the most beautiful snow peaks in the Cascade Range. A large system of 

 glaciers extends around the entire mountain. 



One of the most beautiful and accessible bits of mountain scenery in the State 

 lies along the valley of the South Fork of the Stilaguamish between Silverton and 

 Monte Cristo. Both sides of this valley are lined with rugged spirelike peaks, 

 which bear many snow fields and living glaciers — a paradise for those who are 

 fond of mountaineering. Several of these peaks have never been scaled. 



The Index region, in the lower Skykomish Valley, is well worth visiting. It 

 is walled in by high mountains, such as Index Mountain, Gunn Peak, Baring Moun- 

 tain, and ]\Iount Persis, which reach elevations of from 6,000 to 7,000 feet. Several 

 beautiful waterfalls in the main Skykomish River are situated here. There are 

 many side trips to charming mountain lakes, such as Isabel and Serens. Farther 

 up the valley the traveler can reach without great difficulty the splendid mountain 

 region surrounding Lake Dorothy. The country around vSnoqualmie Pass is the 

 most interesting in the southern portion of the Forest. It is easily reached by rail 

 or automobile and is noted for its beautiful lakes and massive rocky peaks. Snow 

 Lake is an exceptionally beautiful sheet of water, surrounded by towering moun- 

 tains and glistening snow fields. Franklin Falls is another point of interest. 



Accessibility is one of the great advantages of this region from an outing 

 standpoint. All the principal valleys can be inexpensively reached by train or 

 automobile in from 2 to 6 hours from Seattle, Tacoma, or Everett. Regular stage 

 lines run from the Forest to all the larger towns adjacent to its boundaries. Also, 

 it is crossed by the Sunset and Scenic Highways, by the main lines of the Northern 

 Pacific, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and the Great Northern Railways, and 

 is tapped by the Hartford and Eastern and by the Darrington Branch of the 

 Northern Pacific. 



Travel off the regular routes is generally arduous, not only because of the 

 steepness of the mountains, but also because of the heavy timber and dense under- 

 growth. The excellent trails of the Forest Service, marked by frequent guide 

 signs, enable even the inexperienced traveler to reach the most interesting places; 

 but anyone who has not had considerable experience in mountaineering should 

 not attempt to go into the remote sections or off the main trails without a reliable 



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