National Park Notes 



367 



The appropriation available for the last fiscal year was $110,000; for 

 the current fiscal year, $115,000. With these funds it has been possible 

 to improve the road systems on both sides of the park. The system on 

 the east side has been largely rebuilt. The crossings of the river bot- 

 toms and lowlands have been filled to a sufficient depth to lift the road 

 out of the mud and water in stormy weather. Bridges and culverts 

 have been constructed, curves have been eliminated, grades realigned, 

 and many miles of the system have received a graveled surface. . . . 



The extensive trail system has also been improved and several miles 

 of new trails have been constructed. The important new trail connect- 

 ing Glacier Hotel on Lake McDonald with Granite Park Chalet was 

 completed during the season. The construction of a new trail connect- 

 ing Granite Park Chalet with Sun Camp, via Logan Pass, and a con- 

 necting trail to the Glacier Hotel, was begun and will be finished next 

 summer. Several other important new trails will be completed this au- 

 tumn. Many new foot trails leading from the various hotels and cha- 

 lets to scenic points in their immediate vicinity were built and made 

 available for use this year. The most important of these trails lead 

 from the Granite Park Chalet to points where thrilling vistas of the 

 finest mountain scenery may be obtained. One of them proceeds for a 

 considerable distance (two and one-half miles to Gould Mountain) along 

 the Garden Wall on the very crest of the Continental Divide, and from 

 it one may step directly onto the Grinnell Glacier, one of the safest and 

 most interesting glaciers of the park. It is proposed to continue this 

 trail along the Garden Wall for several miles. ... 



MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK 



Striking improvements in Mount Rainier Park are in evidence all around 

 the mountain. First in importance is the fine new hotel in Paradise Val- 

 ley. Next may be mentioned the picturesque new camp at the snout of 

 the Nisqually Glacier. A new hotel has been built on the patented land 

 at Longmire Springs, and this alienated tract has been cleaned up and 

 improved in a manner that makes it impossible to recognize the old 

 Longmire property. This hotel does not have as many facilities for ac- 

 commodating guests as the National Park Inn across the road on Gov- 

 ernment land possesses, but it is a comfortable hostelry. . . . 



The National Park Service has concentrated its improvement work 

 entirely upon the road and trail system during the past year. Under an 

 appropriation of $75,000, the largest ever made by Congress for this 

 park, the entire road system, including the Storbo road, has been im- 

 proved. The road from the southwestern gateway to Nisqually Glacier 

 has been widened, graded, and surfaced, several new bridges have been 

 constructed, and new culverts installed. The road beyond the glacier to 

 Narada Falls and Paradise Valley has been somewhat widened, curves 

 have been eliminated, parapets have been constructed, and the road 

 throughout its length graveled and made entirely safe for automobile 

 traffic. . . . The trail system around the mountain has been much im- 



