Mountain Memories

This series of short videos features footage from the park's digitized historic film collection.

 

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1 minute, 36 seconds

Welcome to Sunrise in the 1930s. The Sunrise Road, formerly known as the Yakima Park Highway, opened to the public in 1931. For the first few years only the south blockhouse, built in 1930, and the Sunrise Day Lodge, from 1931, existed. The rest of what would become known as the Sunrise Stockade, including the visitor center and north blockhouse, was constructed over ten years later in 1943-44. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24652, mora_24622). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 32 seconds

Along the Skyline Trail at Paradise is a rock bench that serves as a monument to the first known ascent of Mount Rainier. Stones attached to the bench are carved with words reading “Site of the camp from which General Hazard Stevens and PB Van Trump made the ascent of this mountain 17 August 1870... Erected by the Mountaineers and the Mazamas 1924.” The monument still exists today. Filmed 1930s, identity of person in footage unknown. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24622). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 40 seconds

Mowich Lake Entrance was dedicated on September 2, 1933. A log pylon with a plaque was erected in honor of Dr. William Fraser Tolmie, who was part of an expedition to Mount Rainier a hundred years earlier in 1833. However, the final portion of the road to Mowich Lake was not completed until 1935 and did not open to vehicles until 1955. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24648). No audio.

 

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3 minutes, 20 seconds

Join these early 1900s climbers as they ascend Mount Rainier. They stop for the night at Camp Muir before continuing the climb by torch light. Views feature Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens prior its eruption. Exact date of footage unknown. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24689). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 48 seconds

Ranger-led programs have a long history in the National Park Service, with many early rangers also serving as park naturalists. This historic footage captures portions of a ranger-led walk in the Sunrise area circa 1930s, featuring subalpine wildflowers and views of the Emmons Glacier. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24652). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 30 seconds

In addition to scenic landscapes, wildlife has drawn visitors to the park for decades. All of the species captured in this footage from the early 1900s are still found in the park today. Do you come to the park to view wildlife? Have you shared that experience with your parents or brought your children to see animals in the park? Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24647). No audio.

 

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2 minutes, 14 seconds

During the 1920s-30s, “nature coasting” was a popular summer activity at Mount Rainier National Park. Park concession guides led groups up to the Nisqually or Paradise Glaciers to go sliding, wearing special “tin pants” made of heavy canvas that were waxed to make them more slippery and waterproof. The guided outings cost $2.50 per person in 1920, which included the clothing rental. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_25027). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 8 seconds

Another popular guided activity during the 1920s-30s was climbing Pinnacle Peak in the Tatoosh Range. It took around six to eight hours round trip leaving from the Paradise Valley and cost $4 per person in 1920, including clothing rental. The Pinnacle Peak Trail continues to be a popular route to this day. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_25027). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 6 seconds

In the 1920s-30s, horseback riding was still allowed at Paradise. One guided trip was a half-day ride around the Paradise Valley along the “Skyline Trail”, which also passed by Narada Falls. After World War II, it was determined that large trips with horses and pack animals were denuding the meadows, damaging trails, and competed with gazing wildlife like mountain goats and began to be phased out. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_25027). No audio.

 

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47.147 seconds

Ice caves in the Paradise Glacier were a popular attraction, drawing crowds even in the 1920-30s. Visits to the caves continued until the early 1970s, when the glacier had melted back so far that the ice caves became too small and dangerous. The Paradise Glacier ice caves no longer exist today. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_25027, 25031). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 3 seconds

Plunging over 300 feet, Comet Falls has attracted visitors for over a century. This footage of Comet Falls includes a clip from the 1920s as well as 1930s footage filmed by early park naturalist C. Frank Brockman. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24657, 24729, 25034, 25044 (courtesy of the C. Frank Brockman Family)). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 24 seconds

Longmire has seen some changes over the years. The two-story Longmire Administration Building, built in 1928, still stands today. The Longmire Museum was originally located in front of the Administration Building, as pictured in this footage, until it was moved across the street in 1978. During the 1930s, the main parking area was in front of the National Park Inn, while now it is behind the building. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24657, 24729, 25034). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 17 seconds

Sunrise is well-known for its spectacular vistas and during its development, early park designers worked to ensure that these vistas would be left unimpaired. Care was taken during the construction of the road to minimize road scars and power lines were buried under the road. This footage was most likely filmed around 1930 after the road was graded in 1929 and before it was paved in 1931. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24664, excerpt of “Behind the Scenery”). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 5 seconds

Maintaining and improving the roads around Mount Rainier is a time-honored park operation. The equipment may look a little different but the work remains the same - clearing rock slides, grading dirt roads, and repaving. Through this work, visitors have been traveling park roads for generations. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24664, excerpt of “Behind the Scenery”). No audio.

 

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53.587 seconds

Trails around Mount Rainier cross numerous rivers and streams, many of which have log bridges. This footage from the 1930s provides a glimpse into early bridge construction. Trail bridges are often washed out and replaced, but are still constructed out of logs in a similar style today. Do you have a favorite trail bridge? Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24664, excerpt of “Behind the Scenery”, mora_24729). No audio.

 

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2 minutes, 10 seconds

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a fundamental role in developing early Mount Rainier National Park between 1933-1940. CCC companies consisted of groups of 18-25 year old, single men with families (part of their wages were sent home) who worked for six month enrollment periods during the summer. The first five companies at Mount Rainier included three from New York, one from Illinois, and one from western Washington. Mount Rainier National Park Park Archives Footage (mora_24690). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 58 seconds

During the 1930s there were six Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps at Mount Rainier National Park, including one at Narada Falls (Camp 2). Camps were a mixture of framed buildings and tents, with a mess hall, shower houses, and latrines built as buildings and the kitchen and sleeping quarters in tents. All were wired for lighting and furnished with heater stoves. Camps were vacated in the fall and reoccupied the following spring. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24690). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 56 seconds

During the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crews worked at Mount Rainier National Park. Duties included clearing roads and trails of debris and fallen trees, planting landscaping around new buildings like the Sunrise Blockhouses at Yakima Park, and improving trails with rock walls and other enhancements. Evidence of CCC work can still be found throughout the park today. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24690). No audio.

 

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1 minute, 54 seconds

Mount Rainier National Park had six Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps operating during the 1930s. Each camp hosted 200 men, who returned after a hard day’s work to rest and refuel. Recreation included baseball and other sports, reading, and music. The US Army provided discipline in the camps, while park rangers gave naturalist talks and led fishing and hiking excursions. Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_24690). No audio.