y
well by the Yellowstone National Park, where $2,142,720 of government
money had been spent on road building and administration up to July 1,
1910. No one who knows the glories of that park will deem the amount
excessive. But with its still grander scenery, its important glaciers,
its priceless forests, and the greater population within easy reach of
its opportunities for study and recreation, the claims of the Rainier
National Park are at least equal to those of the Yellowstone, and they
should be as liberally met.

[Illustration {p.068}: Nisqually Glacier, with its sources in the
snow field of the summit. On the right is Gibraltar Rock and on the
extreme left Kautz Glacier flows down from Peak Success. Note the
medial moraines, resulting from junction of ice streams above. These
apparently small lines of dirt are often great ridges of rocks, cut
from the cliffs. The picture also illustrates how the marginal
crevasses of a glacier point down stream from the center, though the
center flows faster than the sides.]

{p.069}
[Illustration: The Sierra Club on Nisqually Glacier. This active
California organization sent a large party to the Mountain in 1905.]

It is not desired that the whole sum named be appropriated at once.
Indeed, the recommendation of the engineers has been far more modest.
As far back as 1907, Maj. H. M. Chittenden of the United States
Engineer Corps, in charge, wrote as follows in his report to the
Secretary of War:

A bridle trail around the Mountain, just under the glacier line,
is absolutely essential to the proper policing of the Park, and
very necessary for the convenience of tourists, if they are
really to have access to the attractions of the Park. The trail
should be so located that in time it may be enlarged into a wagon
road.

[Illustration: Copyright, 1909, Asahel Curtis. Lost to the World,
7,500 feet above sea level, with an ocean of cloud rising.]

This recommendation has been indorsed by Major Chittenden's successor,
Maj. C. W. Kutz, and may be taken as expressing the conviction of the
government {p.070} engineers as to the minimum of work needed in the
Park at once. For the necessary surveys and the building of the
trails, Mr. Ricksecker informs me that $50,000 will probably be
enough. This is so insignificant in comparison with the good sought
and the value of the national property to be protected and made
accessible that its immediate appropriati