The Washington times., 1917-04-28
MT. M'KINLEY NOW
is SNATIONALP
Americas loftiest Mountain to
Be Chief Attraction in New
Reservation.

Secretary of the Interior Lane has
announced the creation by Congress
of the Mt. Mckinley National Park
This new reservation, which incloses
an area of 1900 square miles, lies in
south central Alaska and contains
the loftiest mountain in America
Mt. Mckinley rises 10000 feet above
sea level IL Is nearly 5000 feet
higher than Mt. whitney, the lofiest
summit within the borders of the con-
tinental United States. There are a
few loftier mountains in the world,
notably in the Himalayas. but none
which rises so far above the neigh
boring country. The valleys OF the
Himalayas are from 1000 to 10000
feet and more in altitude; the valleys
of the Mt. Mckinley National Park
range from 1.sOO to 5000 feet in alti-
tude. Mckinley's elevation above the
level of immediate observation, there
fore, is thousands OF feet higher than
that of any other mountain, and the
sublimity Of the spectacle 1t presents
is correspoRdingly greater.
Many Huge Glaciers.
The magnifcence Of the spectacle
Is further increased by the fact that
the upper $4,000 feet OF the vast
mountain is solidly covered with snow
and ice. Some OF the hugest glaciers
in the world flow from McKinley's
sides.
1T Is an awe-insplring region of
massive mountains and ice capped
peaks" Belmore Brown. of the Camp
Fire Club, who ascended Mckinley.
testified before the Senator Committee
on Territories. THE Piedmont plateau,
that follows the range, affords a beau
tiful roadway direct to Mt. Mckinley.
and when you reach the plateau all
difficulties vanish and you see a view
that is unique on this earth. You see
the huge mountain line OF perpetual
snow, rising like a great wall on the
southeast You can ride q pony to
where Mt. Mckinley rises 1900 feet
above you in a glittering wall of
snow and ice. 1t Is thanked by stu
pendous mountains which make a
wonderful setting for the monster"
South Side Nearly ImpassabIe.
The south side OF Mt. Mckinley.
which Is the gigantic climax of the
great Alaskan range, is nearly i'm
passable. 1t is covered by glaciers
VI OuAhs lHt EnON
fall in some places reaches a depth
OF sixty feet.
On the north side. however, is a
rolling country dotted with beautiful
lakes and forests and inhabited by
enormous herds OF caribou. In fact
the special reason why Congress set
apart the region at this time was to
conserve the wild animal life in ad-
Sance OF the invasion of hunters
ehich the new Government railroad
will bring into Alaska, the road as
projected running within twenty
miles OF this greatest OF natures spec
tacles.
Charles Sheldon, OF the Boone and
Crockett Club, who has spent much
time there in recent years, told the
Senate committee that several times
he has counted as many as 500 noun
lin sheep in a single day OF ordinary
| travel, and that herds of caribou
numbering from 200 to l 500 are fire.
Quently seen.
As a game refuge and breeding
ground, the new national park is ex-
pected to conserve Alaskan game
which elsewhere is rapidly disap-
pearing. As in the case OF the Vel
lowstone National Park the reserva-
tion will serve as a perpetual center
OF game supply for large neighbOring
areas.