Unique and charming gift book about iconic Mount Rainier National Park from a beloved artist's perspective

Fully updated and revised, Hiking Mount Rainier is a comprehensive and concise guide to the well-maintained trails nestled between the two major metropolises of the Pacific Northwest. Included are sixty hike descriptions for hikers of all ages and skill levels.

Provides a virtually complete listing of the 871 native and introduced species of plants found in the Park, with keys designed specifically for Mount Rainier National Park, line drawings, minimally technical descriptions for identification, a guide to plant locations, a glossary, and a section of 64 color photographs.Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

Home to more than 120 alpine plant species, three of which are found nowhere else in the world, Mount Rainier remains a refuge for a diversity of flora and fauna. It is also a magnet for the hundreds of thousands of people who live within sight of its snowy slopes and for millions of visitors who arrive from around the world each year. O'Hara and McNulty explore the conflict this presents as park managers attempt to balance protection of the mountain's fragile ecosystems with the desires of the many who wish to seek solitude in its vast forests or challenge themselves on its daunting glaciers.

Looks at the evolving relationship between the mountain and its surrounding residents, from the late 1890s when the Pacific Forest Reserve became Mount Rainier National Park. Catton tells the history of the park and examines the many controversies that affected its development, from proposals to develop a chairlift for downhill skiers to environmental degradation from overuse of popular areas.

This book is designed specifically for visitors to Mount Rainier National Park with photography in mind. Its focus is to provide information on specific sites throughout the park (35 in total), including the times of day to be there for the best photographic results, what equipment to utilize, and which techniques to employ in order to capture "the shot." The author provides easy-to-read language and direct advice on all areas of this national park. His advice is suitable for all levels, beginner to professional photographers. With this resource, and other free online resources outlined within the book, the reader will be exactly equipped with the right amount of information required in order to complete his or her visit and return home with a remarkable portfolio of pictures to share with others. Contains reference maps and 104 landscape photographs from within the park and its surrounding areas.

The majestic beauty of Mount Rainier, which dominates the Seattle and Tacoma skyscapes, has in many ways defined the Pacific Northwest. At the same time, those two major cities have strongly influenced the development of Rainier as a national park. From the late 1890s, when the Pacific Forest Reserve became Mount Rainier National Park, the evolving relationship between the mountain and its surrounding residents has told a history of the region itself. That story also describes the changing nature of our national park system. From the late nineteenth century to the present, park service representatives and other officials have created policies, built roads and hotels, and regulated public use of and access to Mount Rainier. Conflicting interests have shaped the decision-making process and characterized human interaction with the park. The Rainier National Park Company promoted Paradise Inn as a destination resort for East Coast tourists; Cooperative Campers of the Pacific Northwest developed backcountry camps for working-class recreationists; Asahel Curtis of the Good Roads Association wanted a road encircling the mountain; The Mountaineers promoted free public campgrounds and a roadless preserve; others focused on managing and protecting the upper mountain. The National Park Service mediated among the various parties while developing their own master plan for the park. In an engaging and accessible style, historian Theodore Catton tells the story of Mount Rainier, examining the controversies and compromises that have shaped one of America's most beautiful and beloved parks. National Park, City Playground reminds us that the way we manage our wilderness areas is a vital concern not only for the National Park Service, but for all citizens.

A tour through Washington's Mount Rainier National Park introduces the park's flora, fauna, topography, history, weather, and attractions. The Trail of Shadows, Nisqually Glacier, and the Carbon River are all discussed. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a table of contents, informative captions and sidebars, detailed maps, map legends, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, and an index.