Sunrise to Paradise

On clear days, the mammoth volcano Mount Rainier dominates the Seattle and Tacoma skylines and can be seen from Whidbey Island to Yakima and the central Washington wheat fields. "The Mountain's out!" is a cheerful local greeting, especially after a long spell of overcast weather. Sunrise to Paradise explores the rich history of this symbol of the Pacific Northwest and the national park that preserves it.

Mount Rainier is the fifth highest peak in the United States outside Alaska, and it soars higher above its immediate base than does any other in the lower forty-eight. Sunrise to Paradise describes its geological and glacial origins and current ecological health, and the century-old stewardship of Mount Rainier National Park. Its stories include accounts by Native people such as Saluskin and Wapowety, climbers from John Muir and Fay Fuller to Willi Unsoeld and Lou Whittaker, and entrepreneurs from the Longmire family to Paul Sceva. Here, too, are the tales of scientists and tourists, park rangers and volunteers. Numerous illustrations span the decades. Some of the photographs were taken from albums of the 1912 and 1915 Mountaineers outings; others are by noted photographers of the past like Imogen Cunningham and Asahel Curtis and by contemporary photographers including Ira Spring. There are paintings by Abby Williams Hill and George Tsutakawa and a series specially created by Dee Molenaar.

Foreword

Preface

PART ONE: THE MOUNTAIN

Measuring the Mountain

The Volcano

Rivers of Ice

Snow Blanket

Summer's Rush

Continuity and Change

PART TWO: THE PARK

A Century of Firsts

Whats in a Name?

The Park is Born

Defining the Goals

Getting to the Park

Building Paradise

Beyond Paradise

PART THREE: THE PEOPLE

The First People

Mineral Springs

Ranger Life

The CCC and the Soldiers

Early Outings

Big-Time Skiing

To the Top!

Tomorrow

Suggested Reading

Credits

Index