Mount Rainier (National Park). Mount Rainier National Park Mount Rainier National Park

Altitude - 4392 m (according to 1988 data - 14,411 feet), this is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains. The relative altitude is 4030 m, which is higher than that of Chogori, the second peak in the world (4020 m). absolute height(8611 m) In clear weather, the summit of the view from Portland (Oregon) and Victoria (Vancouver Island).

Rainier is a dormant stratovolcano, small eruptions were recorded in 1820-1854, but there is evidence of volcanic activity also observed in 1858, 1870, 1879, 1882 and 1894. Today, according to the USGS, in the event of a strong eruption, about 150 thousand people may be in danger.

On the slopes and glaciers of the Rainier are the sources of many rivers (basins Puyallupa, White River, Columbia). Up to an altitude of 2500 m, the volcano is covered with coniferous forests, higher - alpine meadows, higher than 2800-3000 m - glaciers and eternal snow. On the peaks there are 40 glaciers with an area of ​​87 km², the largest of which is Emmons (14 km²). The volcano and the surrounding area is protected, has the status national park Mount Rainier (953.5 km²).

Rainier or Tahoma?

Rainier is one of the most high volcanoes and one of the richest mountains in the world with glaciers. Rainier is also a dormant volcano and the main attraction of the National Park.

In terms of relative altitude, Rainier is even higher than Chogori, the second peak in the world, and 40 glaciers on Rainier cover 91 square kilometers. kilometer. In combination with heated rocky areas, the ice on Rainier forms only this mountain landscape: ice passages and caves. One of these caves leads to a small lake, the highest in North America.

Many rivers originate from the generous Rainier Glaciers, among them Puyallup and White River. Because of the white cap, oozing rivers, Rainier has long been called the "mother of rivers" - Tahoma. But the very first European in America, who saw Tahoma in the distant American West, renamed the peak in his own way. It was Captain George Vancouver and he called the find "simple and tasteful" - he "gave" a huge mountain to his friend Peter Rainier.

This name stuck for a long time: the mountain officially named Rainier was still sometimes, even in publications and books, continued to be called Tahoma. The local population sometimes simply speaks of it - “mountain”. So obviously Rainier-Tahoma dominates the entire district. In clear weather high mountain can be seen from Portland and from Vancouver Island.

If you look at the mountain from afar, its top seems to be cut off, maybe long-standing powerful eruption volcano. However, the vast summit explored nearby turns out to be far from flat. It has three craters and three peaks. The peaks are named: Liberty Dome, Columbia Crest and Success Peak. And three craters testify to the once violent activity of the volcano. Rainier was incomparably taller and larger. It is believed that the nearby Little Tahoma peak was also once part of a large volcano.

The last eruptions of Rainier occurred in 1820-1854, signs of activity were recorded later. Rainier is therefore classified as a volcano not extinct but dormant. Residents of Washington state, meanwhile, not only settle near a dangerous neighbor, but also organized National park Mount Rainier in its vicinity. A picturesque volcano, berry-rich meadows on its slopes, rare trees and animals make this area quite suitable to be considered a park.

Mount Rainier National Park is a US national park located in southeastern Pierce County and northwestern Lewis County in Washington state. The area of ​​the park is 953.5 km².

On the territory of the park, there is the Rainier stratovolcano, whose height is 4392 m.

The volcano rises sharply above the surrounding territories; the height of the park varies from 490 to more than 1430 m above sea level.

Rainier is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine flowering meadows, relict forests and more than 25 glaciers. The volcano is often covered with clouds that pour out huge amounts of precipitation, often causing devastating flooding. The park has beautiful alpine meadows and about 370 km² of relict forests.

The first evidence of human presence in the territory of the modern park dates back to about 4000-5800 years. They have been found along walking route Bench Lake (first part of the Snow Lake route).

A more significant archaeological find is a stone shelter found near Freingpan Creek, east of Mount Goat Island. Hunting-related items were found in the shelter.
Also, it can be assumed that the shelter was not used throughout the year. Probably, this place was used by the tribes of the Colombian plateau about 1000 - 300 years ago.

In 1963 Service national parks The United States has entered into an agreement with Washington State University to study the use of the park by the indigenous population of these places. Richard Dougherty conducted an archaeological survey of the area and concluded that the area was most heavily used between 8000 and 4500 years ago.
After interviewing older indigenous people and studying ethnographic literature, another scientist, Allan H. Smith, found no evidence of permanent residence in the park.
Nevertheless, this territory was actively used for hunting and gathering, as well as for various rituals. In addition, Smith came to preliminary conclusions that the territory of the park was divided along river watersheds between 5 tribes: Nisqually, Puyalup, Makleshut, Yakama and Kaulitz.
However, subsequent research casts doubt on Smith's theory that these tribes agreed on boundaries even before they entered into treaties with the United States in 1854-55.

Park creation

On March 2, 1899, US President William McKinley signed a bill issued by Congress to establish Mount Rainier National Park. At that time, Maun Rainier became the fifth national park in the country. It was also the first national park in the United States to be formed from a national forest.
In 1893, the Pacific Forest Reserve was formed, which included Mount Rainier.

In 1897, the reserve was enlarged, and it was renamed Mount Rainier Reserve. In 1898, the famous American writer and conservationist John Muir visited the reserve. Muir and another group of 9 climbed Mount Rainier for the fifth recorded ascent.
A trip to Mount Rainier has largely convinced Muir to devote his life to conservation and the creation of national parks. By that time, many national forests had been created in the American West (at that time they were called "forest reserves"), but Muir wanted to upgrade the status of these protected areas to national parks, which, however, did not meet with much public support in those years.

During the 1890s, he managed to achieve the creation of only one national park. When the Pacific Forest Reserve was established in 1893, Muir approached the newly formed conservation organization Sierra Club to support the education movement at Mount Rainier National Park.
Soon, the movement was joined by the National Geographic Society and a number of scientific associations, which, among other things, were interested in preserving the territory as an object for the study of volcanism and glaciology. The initiative was also supported by a number of companies in Seattle and Tacoma, as well as the North Pacific Railway... The park movement lasted over 5 years and included 6 attempts to get the bill through Congress.

Ultimately, Congress agreed to the park on the condition that assurances were given that the land was unsuitable for agriculture and mining, and that no federal funds were required to maintain the park.

2006 flood

Mount Rainier National Park was closed after severe flooding caused by heavy rains that hit the area on November 6, 2006. For 36 hours, 460 mm of precipitation fell. Most of the roads and camping sites have been eroded. It was not until May 5, 2007 that the park was reopened to motorists on State Highway 706 and entering through the Nisquali Gate.

Infrastructure and attractions

On February 18, 1997, the park was fully recognized by the US National Historic Landmarks District in recognition of its conservation and quality of park architecture. The park includes 42 properties included in the national register historical sites USA, including 4 national historical monument.

Most popular object visiting the park is the area known as Paradise. The area is located on the southern slope of Mount Rainier, at an altitude of about 1600 m above sea level. 62% of the 1.3 million visitors to the park in 2000 came to Paradise.
In this part of the park is located the tourist information center. Henry M. Jackson (built in 1966; demolished and rebuilt in 2008), as well as the historic Paradise Inn, built in 1916.
The US National Park Service names Paradise the snowiest place on Earth. In the winter of 1971-72, 28.5 meters of snow fell on this territory, which was a world record for this winter.

The Longmire Visitor Center is 10.5 km east of the Nisquali Gate. The center is located in the valley of the Nisqually River, at an altitude of 842 m, between mountain ranges Ramparts and Tatush.
Longmire is surrounded by relict forests of Menzies' pseudo-saiga, folded thuja and western hemlock. Longmire is the second most popular destination for visitors to the park (in 2000, 38% of its 1.3 million visitors).

The Sunrise Visitor Center is located in the northeastern part of the park, at an altitude of 1950 m. high point a park that can be reached by car. There are many hiking trails in the Sunrise area.

In 2013, a rare relict species of Diptera Plesioaxymyia vespertina was found here.

Mount Reinier in Washington State is a major attraction for both visitors to the state and local residents... This is the highest peak of the Cascade Mountains ski resort and a place for trekking in the mountains and a picnic in summer time... Mount Rainier can be seen from afar and definitely dominates the landscape of the southeastern part of the state. And how handsome he is! We did not even doubt this. Continuing our journey by car across the United States, we left California and arrived at Mount Rainier National Park at the foot of the most dangerous volcano in the United States in the evening, in complete darkness. And in the morning, in the same darkness, we woke up and went on a date with the sun rising over a snow-covered volcano mountain.

Mount Rainier is the most dangerous volcano in the USA

Mount Rainier- the most high peak Cascade Mountains, its height is 4392 meters. She is the hallmark of the state of Washington and its most recognizable symbol. But besides all this, Mount Rainier is also a stratovolcano! Just 87 km from Seattle, the most dangerous volcano in America and the 17th most dangerous in the world slumbers. Of course, the Yellowstone supervolcano should be called more dangerous, which if it decides to explode, it will become bad for everyone, not just North America. But also not quite a volcano in the usual sense. And here is Mount Rainier - here it is, under a snow-white glacier in the mountains. You can see it from everywhere. And it is not known whether His Majesty will deign to disturb people.

The park around Mount Rainier attracts visitors with the opportunity to see:

• The most dangerous volcano in the United States is Mount Rainier;
• 25 mountain glaciers;
• Waterfalls with melted glacial water in the mountains;
• River valleys;
• Blooming alpine meadows;
• Ancient forests.

The Cascade Mountains are mostly active or extinct volcanoes... We wrote about some of them on our website, for example, that are located in the state of Oregon. And Rainier is no exception. And although previously the Mount Rainier raged and poured lava around (at the beginning of the 18th century), now it remains only a source fresh water... it is called "Tacoma", the source of water. And all because a huge glacier has accumulated on the top of the mountain, which supplies water to the inhabitants of Washington state.

Mount Rainier is both beautiful and dangerous. But while he sleeps, and people safely walk along the neighboring mountains and valleys, admiring the desperately terrible beauty. While it is the source of life and fresh water, it can also become the cause of destruction. They say that nature does not have bad weather. Nature just is.

Meeting dawn on Mount Rainier

At dawn, we, frankly, did not have time quite a bit, but Mount Rainier still conquered us with its stately appearance. Autumn was already in full swing, and we hindsightly spent the night in a camping at the foot of the volcano, on the banks of the river. And by the morning they were terribly cold. Therefore, at 4 o'clock we got up, folded up the tent and drove in the dark along the mountain road up to Mount Rainier to meet the dawn. But by half past five in the morning, in a warm car, we realized that we wanted to sleep. So we decided to be more prudent, stopped our beloved Cruz in the parking lot, and dozed for ten minutes. But we slept for about half an hour, waking up from the beginning of its sunrise. This time was probably not enough for us. But there is no point in regretting, because we did not plan to be here at dawn, but hit the road so early just so as not to freeze.

But still, it is expensive to meet the dawn in such a magical place as Mount Rainier, and we still managed to see the last flashes of the creeping sun.

Surprisingly, we did not notice a large number of photo-hunters at the most trump place at such an early hour.

The sun has already risen quite high

Scary dormant volcano

The sun with its presence illuminated every blade of grass, every berry

The sun goes through the hills

To get to Sunrise Center, you need to drive through a tunnel cut in the rock

Mount Rainier National Park | Mount rainier national park

In the evergreen state of Washington in the northwestern United States, there is Mount Rainier National Park, which covers the entire Mount Rainier and the area around it with an area of ​​956 thousand square kilometers. The difference in elevation in the park is from 490 meters to 4300 meters. Most of the attractions available to an ordinary tourist are located at an altitude of up to 2000 meters. For example, visitor center Sunrise (Sunrise visitor center) is located at the highest point that can be reached by car - it is 950 meters. And this is not so difficult for a person who does not live in the mountains all the time, because acclimatization is not required. That is why Rainier Park receives so many tourists.

basic information

Name	Mount rainier national park
Where is	In the northwestern United States in Washington State - southeastern Pierce County and northwestern Lewis County
Address	55210 238th Avenue East Ashford, WA 98304, USA
Nearest town	Tacoma
GPS coordinates	46 ° 51 ′ 10 ″ N, 121 ° 45 ′ 37 ″ W 46.852778 °, -121.760278 °
What is	The dormant stratovolcano Rainier is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, alpine meadows, relict forests and ancient glaciers
Park foundation date	March 2, 1899
Park area	953.5 sq. km
Working hours	Daily around the clock, except for Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving. Some services close at night and are sometimes unavailable during winter
Attendance	About 1 million 200 thousand people a year
Visit cost	Weekly ticket - $ 25 per car Weekly ticket - $ 20 per motorcycle Weekly ticket - $ 10 per pedestrian or cyclist Annual subscription - $ 50 Annual pass to all US national parks - $ 80
Visitor Centers	Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center, Carbon River Ranger Station, Longmire Museum
Official site of the park	https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm

How to get there, opening hours, ticket prices

• To see Mount Rainier, you must visit the Mount Reinier national park. There are three entrances to it - Nisqually entrance to the southwest, Stevens canyon entrance to the southeast, and White river entrance to the north. And all three will be quite difficult to access, as you will either have to drive around the mountain or drive through Seattle's famous traffic jams. Either way, budget three hours to get to the Sunrise visitor center, where many of the trails start. And, as the name implies, this is the best point for photographing Mount Rainier at sunrise.
• Mount Rainier National Park is open throughout the year. But not all roads and visitor centers are accessible all year round. In winter, the park can only be accessed through the Nisqually entrance, and the Carbon River entrance is open to pedestrians and cyclists, not cars. The Sunrise Visitor Center is usually open from July 1st to mid-September. The Longmire & White river Wilderness information center, where you need to get a permit for trekking in the mountains in the wild part of the park, is also open only in the summer months.
• Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park costs $ 25 for a car with all passengers, $ 20 for a tourist on a motorcycle, $ 10 for a bicycle or on foot. Such a ticket is valid for 7 days. Mount Rainier Annual Pass - $ 50 And the annual subscription to all the national parks of America America the beautiful is $ 80. How useful and beneficial such an annual subscription is, read here - in our post about.
• A place in campgrounds (Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh and White River) in the park - $ 20 per night for one tent, for a group - $ 60.
• When is it worth coming to see the alpine meadows blooming on the slopes of Mount Rainier? Every year, the beginning of flowering cannot be accurately predicted and it depends on weather conditions... But if you focus on approximate signs, then flowers begin to appear by mid-July and are pleasing to the eye until early August. If there were frosts, then the date may move even to the end of August. In any case, it is better to monitor the state of the meadows on the official website of Mount Rainier Park, where the most accurate and up-to-date information about the park is presented.

Park map

Mount Rainier National Park Map (clickable) - click for details

Mount Rainier on the USA map

Trekking around Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is, of course, a trekking paradise. Here are collected different hiking routes in the mountains - from simple to difficult. Here you can not only walk, but also climb rocks and glaciers. We will not write about this, since we do not have the appropriate experience. But we went to the track.

Each visitor center has its own hiking routes. Some of them are very long and go from one center to another, such as the famous Wonderland trail - trail to Wonderland - trekking around Mount Rainier for 150 km.

We ourselves went to the trail ( Mt. Fremont lookout), which starts at the Sunrise Visitor Center. From it you can go to other routes to the mountains, we will tell about them in more detail.

What to take with you on a hiking trip in the mountains?

You need to prepare for a hike in the mountains in advance and take it seriously, even if it belongs to the easy category. You must definitely have the following necessary things with you:

• first aid kit with first aid equipment;
• a map of the route to the mountains;
• compass;
• supply of food and water;
• change of clothes in case of rain or weather changes during the day;
• flashlight with spare batteries;
• sun cream and sunglasses;
• folding pocket knife
• matches in case of emergency (no fire can be made on the territory of the national park);

Remember that Rainier is a dangerous volcano that can wake up and that the territories on its slopes are wild.

However, our route to Mount Fremont was relatively easy and not scary. Since Sunrise is located at an altitude of 950 meters, then adding 275 meters of climb to our trail, we get 1225 meters. Not that much.

Hiking trails from the Sunrise Visitor Center

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State Map and List:

• Nature Sunrise trail- circular route 2.5 km, climb 90 meters - sightseeing tour overlooking Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.
• Silver forest trail- 3.2 km, climb 45 meters - first you need to walk along the Sunrise Rim trail, then the trail through the burnt forest will lead to the observation point at Emmons.
• Sourdour Ridge trail... To the west to the Frozen lake - 4.8 km with a climb of 150 meters. By the lake, you have to be careful about the vegetation on the shore. You can return via Wonderland trail. To the east to Dege peak - 7.7 km, climb 240 meters.
• Emmons moraine trail- 4.8 km, climb 215 meters. You have to walk 1.6 km along the Glacier Basin trail, and then walk along the glacier.
• Sunrise rim trail- 8.8 km, climb 300 meters - the trail goes to Shadow lake, and then continues to the observation point to the glacier and to the First Mount Burroughs.
• Burroughs mountain trail- 7.7 km, climb 275 meters to the First Mountain and 9.6 km, climb 365 meters to the Second Mountain. Walk to Frozen lake first, then climb Burroughs Mountain, and return to Sunrise Rim.
• Mount Fremont lookout trail- 9 km, climb 275 meters. Go to Frozen lake, then to the old fire station.
• Upper Palisades lake trail- 11 km, climb 550 meters. Mount Rainier is not visible on this trail.
• Glacier Basin trail- 10.5 km, climb 520 meters.
• Berkeley park- 11 km, climb 365 meters.

As I said, many different trails start from each visitor center. Information about them can be seen on the official website. Choose the most suitable for yourself. It is imperative to check the condition of the routes (information is on the official website of the national park) before deciding to go to Mount Rainier.

Sunrise Visitor Center Trail Map

Trekking uphill Mountain Fremont lookout trail

As we circled the mountain from west to east, we saw many trails starting at other stations, as well as right on the road, including the famous Wonderland trail and Summerland trail. In my opinion, the names were chosen very well! If Rainier Park didn't have a name, then it should have been called a wonderland!

We chose ourselves walking route to the mountains from among the most difficult, but simpler - climbing Mount Fremont (Mt. Fremont lookout), which begins just at the Dawn Center. This walking tour 9 km long and with a climb of 300 meters, and back downhill. Usually the trail takes three hours, we finished at about this time. But we were in no hurry, took pictures of everything around, breathed fresh air and enjoyed the beauty.

Everything was really great. One regret: we did not get into the blooming period of the local alpine meadows, when the Mount Rainier National Park is besieged by crowds of tourists. We were informed that the flowers were about to open, but at the time of our trip (the first half of September) this had not yet happened.

Unlike walking along the mountain pass in the Olympic National Park, we did not meet many wild animals. Only the chipmunks ran past, not at all afraid of anyone.

Mountain landscapes in the park on the way to Mount Fremont - our photos

Building in Sunrise Visitor Center. Very romantic and beautiful!

And here is the path, along it we will go up!

Even at the end of summer, covered with snow, Mount Rainier is immediately visible!

Beautiful mountain landscape

We walk and we are surrounded by greenery

We walk along a narrow path, on which stones sometimes fall. but even such an uninvited guest can make a good photo

Beautiful lake in the valley

Cascade mountains delight with their blue color

A stream made its way through the valley

And so we reached the Frozen lake. In the fall, it turned out to be thawed

There are several trails near the lake, and here you can change direction, but we go to observation deck Fremont mountains

Target is visible from afar as usual

Another stream

But then the landscape changes, the greenery disappears, and now we are walking along loose stones along a thin path nestling against a high mountain

Similar to medieval castle, truth?

At the vantage point of Mount Fremont

Trekking in the mountains always gives a lot of positive emotions. And the joy is not only that we have reached the goal - the observation point of Mount Fremont. As always, the trip itself was more exciting than the finale. Although it is so nice to sit and relax, admire the beautiful volcano and recuperate on the way back. In the photo, the glaciers look strange: as if you can touch with your hand. But we are not on Rainier itself, we are only next to Mount Fremont, from where beautiful view... Our hiking trail through the mountains took us through the wild beauty of Washington State. And now we are just enjoying ourselves.

Ranger observation tower at the top of Mount Fremont

And down there everything is still beautiful and green!

And here is the most dangerous volcano in America

And the Indians called Rainier Tacoma, which means "source of water."

The most important thing is to be one with nature!

And it's time for us to go back. Walk another 4.5 km to the parking lot. But isn't such beauty worth the effort?

So we returned to the Sunrise Valley. She looks like a picture for a book of fairy tales

Our video at Mount Rainier Park

And we, continuing our journey across the United States by car, having walked around a dangerous volcano, went to spend the night in the city of Mount Vernon (after a couple of nights in a tent, you can live in a motel), and in the morning - to the next point of our route. We continue to explore the Cascade Mountains, and now we will go to get acquainted with their northern part, in and we will visit the amazingly beautiful Lake Diablo.

Recommendation:
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Mount Rainier Volcano is the most famous mountain in the United States. Amazing a natural phenomenon, which can be observed in these parts only in autumn and winter, it is at this time that the shadow from the mountain, breaking all our ideas, rushes into the sky. On sunny days, Mount Rainier can be clearly seen from a great distance, even from Oregon, Portland, Victoria and British Columbia. But during cloudy weather, during sunrise, or at sunset, the sun illuminates the mountain in such a way that a long shadow cast by the mountain can be observed in the sky. Such a rare and amazing natural phenomenon occurs due to the rays of sunlight, which magically " captures "Maun Rainier in its arms.

The area of ​​the park is 953.5 km². On the territory of the park there is a stratovolcano called Rainier, the height of which is 4392 m. The volcano rises sharply above the surrounding territories; the height of the park varies from 490 to more than 1430 m above sea level. Rainier is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine flowering meadows, relict forests and more than 25 glaciers. The volcano is often covered with clouds that pour out huge amounts of precipitation, often causing devastating flooding. The park has beautiful alpine meadows and about 370 km² of relict forests

About two million people visit Mount Rainier every year and is said to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world it is the Rainier, a huge, almost five-kilometer-high mountain covered with glaciers on all sides, towering over the three million inhabitants of Seattle and its environs. In terms of relative altitude, the volcano is even higher than Chogori, the second peak in the world. 40 glaciers of the volcano cover 91 km2. Seismologists are already warning of an imminent repetition of the eruption. The glaciers of the volcano are literally riddled with cracks, visible and invisible.

The last time the volcano was active for more than 150 years, seismologists are already warning of an imminent repetition of the eruption. The glaciers of the volcano are literally riddled with cracks visible and invisible, perhaps this is the result of the work of the warm air that the volcano emits. And at the very top, under the thickness of the glaciers, there is even a small lake.

Mount Rainier National Park is a US national park located in southeastern Pierce County and northwestern Lewis County in Washington state. The park was founded on March 2, 1899, the fifth in the United States. The area of ​​the park is 953.5 sq. Km.

Mount Rainier or Mount Rainier, named after the British Admiral P. Renier, has a height of 4392 meters, is a stratovolcano. It is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains, a large mountain range that originates in southern British Columbia and stretches across the US states of Washington and Oregon to northern California.

By the way, this is a dormant volcano, small eruptions of which were recorded in 1820-1854, there is also evidence of its volcanic activity in 1858, 1870, 1879 and 1894. According to the USGS, in the event of its eruption, about 150 thousand people could be in danger.

Mount Rainier Volcano is considered the most famous mountain in the United States. On sunny days, the summit is clearly visible on the horizon so that it can be seen even from Portland, Oregon, Victoria and British Columbia, which are located far enough from the mountain.

The bulk of Mount Rainier is covered in pristine relict forests and picturesque alpine meadows. In the center of the park there is active volcano Rainier. Belonging to the type of stratovolcano (conical mountain formations composed of numerous layers of solidified lava), it rises above the park to a height of more than four thousand meters. Rainier is part of the Cascade Mountains system and is their highest point.

We all know that any object on our planet, be it large or small, casts a shadow. All that is needed for this is a source of light directed at this object. Can a shadow go into the sky? Maybe! And this amazing natural phenomenon can be observed in the state of Washington, 88 kilometers southeast of Seattle. It is there that Mount Reyeir casts its shadow not as is customary on the ground, but high into the sky ...

National parks in the United States are organized in such a way that you can find knowledge for yourself both for three hours and for a week, it all depends on the amount of free time.

The mountain is named after the British Admiral P. Renier.

If we consider Mount Rainier by zones, then up to a height of 2500 meters there are dense coniferous forests, then alpine meadows and above 2800 meters there are eternal snows and glaciers, no less than forty in number and an area of ​​87 square kilometers. large glacier Emmons has an area of ​​14 square kilometers.

By the way, this is a dormant volcano, small eruptions of which were recorded in 1820-1854, there is also evidence of its volcanic activity in 1858, 1870, 1879 and 1894. According to the USGS, in the event of its eruption, about 150 thousand people could be in danger. Mount Rainier National Park was closed after severe flooding caused by heavy rains that hit the area on November 6, 2006. For 36 hours, 460 mm of precipitation fell. A very densely populated area near this mountain: Seattle and many others settlements, Microsoft, Boeing and other big companies.

The Mount Rainer glaciers are the source of many rivers: Columbia, White River, Puyallupa and many others. This is how the riverbed has become shallow in recent years. This is a big problem.

On the territory of the park there is a stratovolcano called Rainier with a height of 4392 m. The mountain is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains, around it there are valleys, waterfalls, sub-alpine flowering meadows, old forests and more than 26 glaciers. The volcano is often covered with clouds that pour out huge amounts of precipitation, often causing devastating flooding.

Mount rainier national park 46 ° 51'10 ″ s. NS. 121 ° 45'37 ″ W etc. HGI AMOL

The area of ​​the park is 953.5 km². On the territory of the park there is a stratovolcano called Rainier, the height of which is 4392 m. The volcano rises sharply above the surrounding territories; the height of the park is from 490 to more than 1430 m above sea level. Rainier is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine flowering meadows, relict forests and more than 25 glaciers. The volcano is often covered with clouds that pour out huge amounts of precipitation, often causing devastating flooding.

The park has beautiful alpine meadows and about 370 km² of relict forests.

History

Indigenous population

The first evidence of human presence in the territory of the modern park dates back to about 4000-5800 years. They were found along the Bench Lake Walking Trail (the first leg of the Snow Lake Trail). A more significant archaeological find is a stone shelter found near Freingpan Creek, east of Mount Goat Island. Hunting-related items were found in the shelter. Also, it can be assumed that the shelter was not used throughout the year. Probably, this place was used by the tribes of the Columbian plateau about 1000-300 years ago.

Park creation

On March 2, 1899, US President William McKinley signed a bill issued by Congress to establish Mount Rainier National Park. At that time, Maun Rainier became the fifth national park in the country. It was also the first national park in the United States to be formed from a national forest. In 1893, the Pacific Forest Reserve was formed, which included Mount Rainier. In 1897, the reserve was enlarged, and it was renamed Mount Rainier Reserve. In 1898, the famous American writer and conservationist John Muir visited the reserve. Muir and another group of 9 climbed Mount Rainier for the fifth recorded ascent. A trip to Mount Rainier has largely convinced Muir to devote his life to conservation and the creation of national parks. By that time, many national forests had been created in the American West (at that time they were called "forest reserves"), but Muir wanted to upgrade the status of these protected areas to national parks, which, however, did not meet with much public support in those years. During the 1890s, he managed to achieve the creation of only one national park. When the Pacific Forest Reserve was established in 1893, Muir approached the newly formed conservation organization Sierra Club to support the education movement at Mount Rainier National Park. Soon, the movement was joined by the National Geographic Society and a number of scientific associations, which, among other things, were interested in preserving the territory as an object for the study of volcanism and glaciology. The initiative was also supported by a number of companies in Seattle and Tacoma, as well as the North Pacific Railroad. The park movement lasted over 5 years and included 6 attempts to get the bill through Congress. Ultimately, Congress agreed to the park on the condition that assurances were given that the land was unsuitable for agriculture and mining, and that no federal funds were required to maintain the park.

2006 flood

Mount Rainier National Park was closed after severe flooding caused by heavy rains that hit the area on November 6, 2006. For 36 hours, 460 mm of precipitation fell. Most of the roads and camping sites have been eroded. It was not until May 5, 2007 that the park was reopened to motorists on State Highway 706 and entering through the Nisquali Gate.

Infrastructure and attractions

On February 18, 1997, the park was fully recognized by the US National Historic Landmarks District in recognition of its conservation and quality of park architecture. The park includes 42 properties on the US National Register of Historic Places, including 4 National Historic Landmarks.

The most popular site for visiting the park is the area known as Paradise. The area is located on the southern slope of Mount Rainier, at an altitude of about 1600 m above sea level. 62% of the 1.3 million visitors to the park in 2000 came to Paradise. In this part of the park is located the tourist information center. Henry M. Jackson (built in 1966; demolished and rebuilt in 2008), as well as the historic Paradise Inn, built in 1916. The US National Park Service names Paradise the snowiest place on Earth. In the winter of 1971-72, 28.5 meters of snow fell on this territory, which was a world record for this winter.

The Longmire Visitor Center is 10.5 km east of the Nisquali Gate. The center is located in the valley of the Nisqually River, at an altitude of 842 m, between the Ramparts and Tatush mountain ranges. Longmire is surrounded by relict forests of Menzies' pseudo-saiga, folded thuja and western hemlock. Longmire is the second most popular destination for visitors to the park (in 2000, 38% of its 1.3 million visitors).

The Sunrise Visitor Center is located in the northeastern part of the park, at an altitude of 1950 m. It is the highest point in the park that can be reached by car. There are many hiking trails in the Sunrise area.

In 2013, a rare relict species of dipterans was found here. Plesioaxymyia vespertina .

Notes (edit)

1. Bolsinger, Charles L. Area of ​​old-growth forests in California, Oregon, and Washington / Charles L. Bolsinger, Karen L. Waddell. - United States Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 1993 .-- ISBN Resource Bulletin PNW-RB-197.
2. Part One: The Cultural Setting. I. Historical Overview Of Indians And Mount Rainier (unspecified) (unavailable link). Mount rainier administrative history... National Park Service (July 24, 2000). Retrieved June 5, 2007. Archived June 24, 2013.
3. Burtchard, Greg C .; with contributions by Stephen C. Hamilton and Richard H. McClure, Jr. Chapter 4: The 1995 Mount Rainier Archeological Reconnaissance (unspecified) (unavailable link). Environment, Prehistory & Archeology of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington... National Park Service, Seattle, Washington; International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc. (originally published February 1998, last updated 17 November 2004.). Retrieved June 5, 2007. Archived June 24, 2013.
4. Carson, Rob; Craig Hill. Rainier timeline (unspecified) (unavailable link)... The News Tribune. Retrieved July 24, 2010. Archived June 24, 2013.
5. Chronology of Climbs on Mt. Rainier (unspecified) ... Tacoma Public Library. Retrieved July 24, 2010. Archived July 1, 2013.
6. Transcribed from "John Muir" s Ascent of Mt. Rainier " (unspecified) ... University of Washington. Retrieved July 24, 2010. Archived June 24, 2013.
7. Duncan, Dayton.