Mountains lie all about, with many difficult turns leading here and there. The trails run up and down; we are martyred by obstructing rocks. No matter how well we keep to the path, if we miss one single step, we shall never know safe return.
But whoever has the good fortune to penetrate that wilderness, for his labors will gain a beatific reward. The wilderness abounds in whatever the ear desires to hear, whatever pleases the eye. -Gottfried, Von Strassburg - Tristan.
Summit of Mount
Rainier
from the
air.
Looking down on
the summit
crater
in September before the snow.
Note the climbing path.
Ashel
Curtis photo
post card of the interior of Paradise Lodge in Mount Rainier National
Park.
An
early photo
post card of the exterior of Paradise Lodge.
Paradise Lodge in
the
Winter. Notice the snow is up to the dormer windows on the roof. Winter
1998-99 broke all records.
The original mass transit system at Mount Rainier National Park
Cars have not been
under
control at Paradise for a long time. The first car was pulled into
Paradise in 1908 behind a mule. A solid stream has followed.
White Car used by
concessionaire at Mount Rainier.
Restored Mount
Rainier Concession touring car.
Wonder what
Paradise would look like without a parking lot? Click on Nancy
Taylor Stonington, then open stock prints, then Northwest. Click on the
thumnail image to enlarge.
Cars at the Ashford Gate.
Cars at Longmire.
Cabins originally in the Alta Vista Meadow at Paradise.
Why should we be skepitical of Park Development plans?
This
1908(?) proposal to "improve Longmire" never got further than a drawing.
The golf course in Paridise Valley was removed rather than improved also.
But
be vigilant, developers of public lands stalk about like hungry lions,
seeking what they may devour.
Return to Northwest Environmental Notes
Copyright © 1998-99 Bob Aegerter, Revised December 19, 1999
Is that
Ronald Reagan on
horseback on
the west side of Mount Rainier?
The Ice
Caves are gone now,
perhaps due
to global warming caused by man's role in changing the earth.
Another early view of the Ice Caves.
A 1924 Private Mailing Card, which did not
have an authorized
place for message on the reverse.