MOUNT RAINIER
Circular of General Information
1936 		NPS Logo

Rules and Regulations
[BRIEFED]

SERVING a dual purpose, park regulations are designed for the comfort and convenience of visitors as well as for the protection of natural beauties and scenery. The following synopsis is for the guidance of visitors, who are requested to assist the park administration by observing the rules. Complete rules and regulations may be seen at the superintendent's office and at ranger stations.

Fires.
Light carefully and in designated places. Extinguish COMPLETELY before leaving camp, even for temporary absence. Do not guess your fire is out—KNOW it. Do not throw burning tobacco or matches on road or trail sides.

Camps.
Keep your camp clean. As far as possible burn garbage in camp fire, and empty cans and residue into garbage cans provided. If no can is provided, bury the refuse.

Trash.
Do not throw paper, lunch refuse, kodak cartons, chewing-gum wrappers, or other trash on roads, trails, or elsewhere. Ball up and carry until you can burn it in camp or place in receptacle.

Trees, flowers, and animals.
The destruction, injury, or disturbance in any way of the trees, flowers, birds, or animals is prohibited. Dead and fallen wood may be used for firewood.

Automobiles.
Drive carefully at all times. Keep cut-outs closed. Obey park traffic rules. Secure permit; fee $1.

Park rangers.
The rangers are here to help and advise you as well as to enforce the regulations. When in doubt, ask a ranger.

Warning about bears.
Do not feed the bears from the hand; they are wild animals and may bite, strike, or scratch you. They will not harm you if not fed at close range. Bears will enter or break into automobiles if food that they can smell is left inside. They will also rob your camp of unprotected food supplies, especially in the early spring or late fall when food is scarce. It is best to suspend food supplies in a box well out of their reach between two trees. Bears are especially hungry in the fall of the year and serious loss or damage may result if food is left accessible to them.

Articles lost or found.
Lost or found articles should be reported to the park headquarters or to any ranger station. Persons should leave their names and addresses so that articles which are not claimed within 60 days may be turned over to the finders.

Suggestions, complaints, or comments regarding any phase of park management, including the operation of camp grounds, hotels, and attitude of employees, should be communicated immediately to the superintendent.



Events
OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
1792May 8. The first white man to see "The Mountain" (Capt. George Vancouver, of the Royal English Navy) sighted the great peak and named it Mount Rainier.
1833September 2. Dr. William Fraser Tolmie of Nisqually House, a Hudson's Bay post, entered the northwest corner of what is now the park. He was the first white man to penetrate this region.
1857July. Lieut. A. V. Kautz, of the United States Army garrison at Fort Steilacoom, and four companions made the first attempt to scale Mount Rainier. Lieutenant Kautz, however, did not reach the topmost point as he was compelled to turn back at about 12,000 feet elevation due to the lateness of the hour.
1870August 17. Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump, of Olympia, Wash., made the first successful ascent of Mount Rainier (via the Gibraltar route).
1870October. Samuel Franklin Emmons and Dr. A. D. Wilson, of the United States Geological Survey reached the summit via the Cowlitz Glacier-Gibraltar route. This was the second successful ascent.
1883August. Messrs. P. B. Van Trump, James Longmire, and George B. Bayley made the third successful ascent, the springs later termed "Longmire Springs" being discovered by James Longmire upon the return journey. Several months later James Longmire established his homestead claim about the springs he discovered.
1884First trail constructed to Longmire Springs by the Longmires.
1885August. Mrs. Elcain Longmire visited Paradise Valley for the first time and gave it its name because of the beauty of the wild flowers.
1890The first woman, Fay Fuller, reached the summit of Mount Rainier.
1890-91The Longmire family, assisted by several Indians, constructed the first road to Longmire Springs.
1893December 12. Hon. Watson C. Squire, United States Senator, introduced a bill for the creation of "Washington National Park." The name was later modified to Mount Rainier National Park.
1895First trail constructed to Paradise Valley. Built by the Longmires.
1899March 2. Mount Rainier National Park created by Congress and approved by President McKinley.
1904-05Eugene V. Ricksecker and United States Army Engineer Corps surveyed route of present Paradise Valley highway. Construction began in 1906.
1904First daily stage operated between Ashford and Longmire
1912August. First car reached Paradise Valley under its own power.
1912October 8. President Taft visited the park and rode to Paradise Valley on the partially completed road. The President's car was bogged down in the mud on the highway above Narada Falls, however, and was pulled into the valley by a team of mules. President Taft is the only Chief Executive to have visited the park while in office.
1913Government surveyors of the United States Geological Survey established elevation of Mount Rainier as 14,408 feet above sea level.
1916Women allowed to drive over park roads for the first time.
1916National Park Service created and given full jurisdiction over the park.
1917July 1. Paradise Inn formally opened to the public.
1931January 31. Approximately 53 square miles of territory east of the park and to the summit of the Cascade Range added to the area.
1931March 24. Mather Memorial Parkway established, comprising 50 miles of the most scenic section of the Chinook Pass Highway within the national park and national forest.
1931July 15. Yakima Park first opened to the public
1933September 2. Dedication of new Mowich entrance and celebration of one hundredth anniversary of visit of first white man, Dr. Wm. Fraser Tolmie, to region now known as Mount Rainier National Park.

What To Do

HIKING, FISHING, CAMPING

MANY interesting and beautiful trails are available to park visitors from each district accessible by road. Guides or special equipment are not necessary other than comfortable hiking clothing for these trails. Special equipment, experience, or guide service is required, however, for those wishing to venture out on glaciers or attempting the summit of the mountain.

Fishing.
Good fishing may be obtained in park lakes and streams—no fishing license required. Information regarding park fishing may be obtained from the administrative headquarters at Longmire or from any park ranger.

Camping.
Free public camp grounds are maintained by the Government at seven convenient locations within the park. Individual camp sites, stoves, wood, water, tables, and sanitary facilities are provided.

WINTER SPORTS

Excellent skiing conditions are available in vast unobstructed terrain at Paradise Valley from December to June. Snow conditions afford beginners ski runs at Longmire from the middle of December to the middle of March. During the snow season, the National Park Service provides a free tin-pan slide at Longmire. The all-year highway passes through Longmire and continues to Narada Falls where ample parking space is provided. The 1.1-mile snow trail from Narada Falls to Paradise Valley is easily negotiated on foot or on skis. Complete hotel service in first-class accommodations and winter sports rental equipment are available at both Paradise Valley and Longmire.

NATURALIST SERVICE

The following activities are conducted free of charge by the naturalist division from July 1 to Labor Day:

Lectures.
Special camp-fire programs and free lectures, illustrated with colored slides and motion pictures, are offered at Paradise Valley, Yakima Park, and Longmire. Nightly at Paradise; nightly, except Sunday, at Longmire and Yakima Park. Programs start promptly at 8 p. m.

Museums.
The Park Museum (headquarters for educational activities and office of the park naturalist) is located at Longmire. Natural history displays and wild-flower exhibits are maintained at Paradise Community House, Yakima Park Blockhouse, and Longmire Museum.

Hikes from Longmire.
Free hikes, requiring 1 day for the round trip, are conducted daily by ranger naturalists from the museum to Van Trump Park, Indian Henrys Hunting Ground, Summit of Eagle Peak, crest of Goblers Knob (fire lookout station), Klapatche Park, and other points of interest.

Shorter hikes of half day or less may be arranged to the Beaver Dams, crest of Rampart Ridge, and other places. Schedule for these hikes are posted weekly at the museum, and announced nightly at the lectures. Make arrangements with ranger naturalists at the museum.

Hikes from Paradise.
Free short hikes (approximately 2 hours) start twice daily from the Community House at 9 a. m. and 2 p. m. under leadership of naturalists.

Hikes from Yakima Park.
Free hikes of varying duration, including short nature walks and longer trips, are conducted by ranger naturalists from the Blockhouse daily. A schedule is posted at the Blockhouse and announced nightly at lectures.

Nature Trails.
Visit the "Trail of the Shadows" at Longmire, "Snout of Nisqually Glacier" at Glacier Bridge parking area, and "Nisqually Vista Trail" at Paradise. Trees, flowers, and points of interest are labeled for ready identification, and on the trail to the glacier snout a ranger naturalist is on duty to answer questions each Sunday and holiday.

SPECIAL SERVICE

During the summer season special services, such as guide trips, horseback trips, equipment rental, etc., are provided at reasonable rates.

Guide Trips.
The Rainier National Park Co. guide department at Paradise Valley rents complete hiking and climbing equipment and conducts parties each day to the Ice Caves, onto the Nisqually Glacier, and to other places of interest. Summit trips are conducted as desired.

Saddle-Horse Trips.
Regular and special saddle-horse trips are operated by the Rainier National Park Co. at Paradise Valley and Yakima Park; and service is provided by them to all sections of the park.

Hot Mineral Baths.
At the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs the Bridge Clinic maintains a modern, sanitary bathhouse and other necessary services.

Maps and Booklets.
Topographic map of the park showing all trails, and booklets on the flowers, birds, animals, glaciers, and forests—published by the Government at nominal prices—are sold at museums, ranger stations, information desks, and by ranger naturalists.

Ask a ranger for further information and assistance.


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Last Updated: 20-Jun-2010