The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-02-27
WONDERFUL IS
MOUNT ADAMS
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
FACTS
Geological Survey Has Prepared Map
Of Quadrangle-lts Volcanic
Structure.

Structure.
The United States geological sur
vey has recently published topo-
graphical map OF the Mount Adams
quadrangle. This comprises an area
OF about $50 square miles in the
central part OF the State OF Washing
ton, which is included mostly in
Yakima County, but takes in small
portions OF Lewis and klickitat coun-
ties. =.
Though oyershadowed in magnifi-
cence and grandeur by its larger
brother, Mount Rainier, thirty-five
miles to the northwest, Mount
Adams, which gives its name to the
quadrangle. is none the less a grand
and inspiring sight OF the great
ice-covered volcanic domes Of the
northwest it is overtopped only by
Rainier and Shasta. 1t lifts its hoary
head 12,307 feet above the sea. AS
half of this height stands above the
surrounding country. it looms up a
great mountain mass, its summit
crowned with gllstening ice cap
from which ice streams dow and cas-
cade in every direction.
The eastern side of the mountain
is verp precipitous and from the
summit glacier great masses OF ice
break of and tumble to the rocks
and ice below, producing a mighty
roar which can be heard for miles.
While working on the west side of
the mountain A. H. Sylvester, the
topographer who made the map, had
the privilege of witnessing the awe
inspiring sight of forty acres of ice
suddenly breaking loose from its
rocky bed, preceded by a great fan of
snow spray, leaping about 200 fee.
into the air, rushing down the noun
tain side at express train speed, and
finally dashing into fragments at his
feet
Interesting Lava Flows.
OF equal interest with the gla-
eiers, though not so picturesque, are
the lava flows to the north and south
of the mountain, shown on the map
by small hachures The large flow
IN he 10 hi he
cent, though it is no better defined
than the southern flow, the upper
part of which has been swept away
by an ice stream, leaving pass for
a trail. Another trail also encircles
the north base of the mountain, but
it is rough and tortuous and sheep
men speak of its passage as going
over the rocks That these flows
occurred in recent historic times
seems certain Not only do their
physical characteristics sustain this
theory, but Indian traditions uphold
it. About the base of the mountain
several small cinder cones attract
attention. OF these Red Butte is
apparently the most recent. 1t has
a well developed crater which is
shown on the map by depression
contour Snow, even during the win
ter, does not lie on this cone more
than a few days at "a time, while all
around, above and below, it may be
many feet in depth Whether this
is the result OF the inner heat OF
OF the loose cinder construction
which so readily absorbs all mois-
ture, IS not known. Little Mount
Adams is a cone very much like Red
Butte and Of about the same age
while Goat Butte is of the same gen
eral character. but much older, hav-
ing been partly torn away by tbs
great glacier that once filled the Bis
Muddy Canyon.
Volcanic Material.
Mount Adams itself is built up o.
very soft volcanic material which Il
new being rapidly worn away. Tit
streams which flow from the gla
ciers carry an immense amount o
debris. and on hot days when the ic,
is melting fastest, they look NOR,
like moving masses of mud than Tx
streams of water. Mount Adam
furnishes water to the Klickitat
White Salmon, Lewis and Cispu
rivers.
The natural parks and flower bed
about the base Of the mountain de
serve volume by themselves. The,
are delight to the eye and amor,
beautiful camping sites for a sum
mer's outing. Mount Adams is prob
ably the most easily climbed Of an,
of the great mountains OF this re
xfOu The ascent In hest mazda frnu