The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-29

III Is tStues'i. su'oN"sVu N"e N"N
government road, 80 finely planned and
located, from the mineral springs OF the
Nisqualy locally called "Long'nires
Springs to the upper reaches OF Para
disc Park, be completed at the very
earliest possible date. BY it visitors
could reach the park in their own con
veyances without the expense, incon'
yenience. ami annoyance Of packing
their outfits aud supplies, which now
deters many nom enjoying this mag
nifcent region.
Paradise Park on the southerly slope
of the great mountain is at present the
one readily accessible region OF this
great reservation, and there are only
two passable trails by which to reach
il. The old trail from the unfinished
government road up the north side OF
the Nisqually River is in good eondi'
tion, and passes up beautiful scenic
canyon through wooded fats beside the
tossing river until the terminal face OF
the Nisqually Glacier is reached. From
this point pedestrians can ascend the
steep sides OF the canyon TO the park
proper. This trail well serves the
public as it is, and viii do so until the
fine government road replaces II. In
addition to this 'old trail is the one used
at present chiefly to reach Paradise
Park, which leaves the government road
near the end of the partly completed
four mile stretch, and, crossing the Ms
aually once and the Paradise River
twice. enters the park near Camp OF the
Clouds.
In 1897 there used to be a good trail
branching of from this trail just before
the second crossing OF the Paradise
River. above Narada Falls, and leading
up the side and along the crest Of
A[azama Ridge, one OF the most striking
scenic view points in the park, to a
point Just above Sluiskin Falls. This
trail, ending at a fine camping-spot on
high ground near four or five small
lsskes. has been allowed TO get into bad
condition. II should be put in good
repair, and this could be done with very
little labor.
a trail should early be constructed
to Indian Henry's hunting grounds from
the north side Of the Nisqually Glacier
in Paradise Park. This at first might
be for pedestrians only, later to be per.
fected Tor saddle and pack horses.
"The two trails -uggested-that from
Z Paradise River to the head Of Mazama
Ridge near Sluiskin Falls, and the one
from the Nisqually Glacier to Indian
/ Henrv's hunting gronds-might be the
the first Of system to circuit the
mountain. and when constructed would
render accessible the finest portions Of
the Mt. Rainier National Park adjacent
to the approach by way OF Ashford and
the valley Of the Nisqually River.
a. bearing on the development of a
system Of roads and trails making the
entire circuit OF Mt. Rainier, we incor'
porate with our report the following
testimony OF a member Of our commit
tee well yersed in woodcraft and most
competent to speak upon thi, subject
Mr.. Alden Sampson writes as follows:
"With another member Of our party
this summer | made the circuit OF The
peak. We Travelled with packaninal'
and made our journey in a leisurely
way. stopping as the view tempted Us
or where feed, not too frequent cir
eumstance. was to be found. We left
Lohgmire's Springs after the departure
Of the Sierra Club from that encamp
ment, and went by the way Of Beal
Prairie down the Skate Greek Trail, be
ing obliged in oR aiternon TO ford that
stream. rocky and at times (iol
horsesl somewhat disageeable river
bel. no les than thirty eight time- Al
present the alleged trail is but a poo
affair, shifting about from bank Z
bank 0f the stream wherever foothol'
offers; in one section, on steep hill
side. il can hardly be called trail a
all. bsing quite impossible for lajel
pack animals coming from the Cowlit
River. \ trail laid ont intelligentll!
here in conformity with the broa'
characteristics Of the valley is much Z
be desired.
Following up the Cowlitz River W
forled at the mouth Of Muddy Fork
followed up the Carlton Trail TO Fisl
Lake at the summit, thence along tn
crest Of the Cascades by the old Kliki
tat Trail, which commands sup'rb view
Of Mt. Rainier from the east, the fines