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sonnel is 18 members. During the travel and working season the administrative force was increased by 2 temporary clerks and 2 temporary telephone operators; the protection force by 16 temporary rangers; the educational department by 3 ranger-naturalists; the maintenance and construction department by 140 skilled and unskilled laborers; and the electrical department by 2 linemen. The maximum number of employees of all classes on the pay roll at any one time during the past year was 165.

Five cases of violations of park rules and regulations were taken before the United States commissioner for trial, and there were five convictions and sentences imposed, totaling $120 in fines. In addition to the cases taken before the commissioner for trial, 230 individuals were warned for minor infractions of traffic and other rules.

Appropriations for the operations and maintenance of the park totaled $118,890, of which amount $91,370 was for general administration, protection, and maintenance, and $27,520 for construction of physical improvements. To this amount $2,429.49 was allotted to cover emergency reconstruction work and forest-fire fighting. The sum of $72,035.46 was allotted to the park for road and trail development during the year.

Revenues were collected during the 1929 fiscal year and deposited to the credit of miscellaneous receipts of the General Treasury as follows: Automobile and motor-cycle fees, $32,898; operators' fees, $2,000; miscellaneous, $4,988.17; totaling $37,886.17. This is an increase of $5,840.67, or 18 per cent, over the collections of the 1928 fiscal year.

WEATHER

Weather conditions during the fall and early winter months were normal but during January, February, and March the temperatures averaged from 6° to 10° colder than is usual for that time of the year. Due to this colder weather the snow accumulated to a greater depth than for the past several years at elevations below 4,500 feet. Cold and rainy weather during the spring months retarded the melting, with the result that the snow remained until late in the season. Weather conditions were generally severe throughout the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound and there was more than a normal snowfall. This condition affected travel to the park because snow sports could be enjoyed without the necessity of making the trip. Following a backward spring, July and August were unusually dry and the long periods of low humidity caused the worst fire hazards experienced for several seasons. The hottest day of the year, at park headquarters at an elevation of 2,732 feet, was 87° on July 28 and the coldest day of the year was zero, which occurred on January 23, 1929.

TRAVEL

Travel to Mount Rainier National Park for the year ended September 30, 1929, showed a slight decrease over the record year of 1928. Travel during the 1929 season totaled 217,783 people and 51,998 private cars. This decrease is attributed to the late date at which the contractor started paving operations on the State approach road just outside the Nisqually entrance to the park, which necessitated a series of short detours which were in very poor condition the first half of the summer season. While this construction work did not affect the out-of-State travel it was responsible for a material decrease in the travel from our near-by cities. A substantial increase was shown in travel at the other three park entrances.

The largest travel day in the history of Mount Rainier National Park was on September 1, 1929, when 8,468 people and 2,022 cars registered at the four entrances, the former record having occurred on August 31, 1924, when 7,759 people and 1,914 cars registered.

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PROTECTION DEPARTMENT

The permanent personnel consists of a chief ranger, assistant chief ranger, and 6 park rangers, and during the summer months was increased by 16 temporary park rangers.

Winter activities.-Regular and special patrols were made throughout the fall, winter, and spring in the interest of game protection and for the observation of the natural features and wild life of the park. Other activities cons sted of repairing station buildings, patrol cabins, telephone lines, trails, furnishing information, and direct ng traffic.

Summer activities.-Fire patrols, traffic regulation, information, entrance checking, and compilation of travel statistics, camp-ground management, police duties, and a wide range of duties connected with the serving of park visitors were carried on.

Forest fires.-Twenty-one forest fires were discovered and extinguished by the ranger force. Fifteen of the fires were caused by lightning during an electrical storm on August 2. Two of these were of consequence. One which occurred in October, 1928, on Klapatche Ridge from burning on the right of way on the West Side Highway destroyed 200 acres of t mber. Another fire which occurred on the 2d of August, 1929, burned into the park from a large fire set by lightning in the Rainier National Forest, adjacent to the east boundary near the southeast corner, destroying 80 acres of timber. None of the other fires exceeded 3 acres in extent. Sixteen of the fires were caused by lightning, four from burning on right of way during road construct on, and one from a discarded cigarette. As this report is written (August 31), one fire near the east boundary is still burning on an area of about 100 acres.

J. B. Coffman, National Park Service fire-control expert, made a careful inspection of the forest cover during July and August and assisted the ch ef ranger in the preparation of a fire-control plan for the prevention and suppres sion of fires by the ranger force. Mr. Coffman assisted the National Forest and Park Service fire forces in combating the fire which burned from the national forest to a short distance inside the park.

Fish planting.-Through the cooperation of the United States Bureau of Fisheries furnishing eggs from Yellowstone National Park and the hatchery facilities furnished by the Pierce County Game Commission, 274,500 rainbow, eastern brook, and Montana blackspotted trout were planted in park streams during the fall months.

Trail maintenance. The park trail system, totaling 242 m les, was maintained under the direction and supervision of the chief ranger and district rangers. Due to lack of funds only 175 miles of the trail system could be opened up and repaired for horse travel. On the remainder of the trail mileage only sufficient of the down timber was removed and the worst washouts repaired to permit passage of pack animals in case of emergency or for fire-fighting purposes.

Forest guard training camp. All permanent and temporary rangers attended the fire guard training camp during the last week in June, which was held on the Cispus River in the Rainier National Forest with the Forest Service.

Accidents. The most serious accident in recent years occurred on July 2 when a summit party consisting of three visitors and two assistant guides under the leadership of Summit Guide Leon Brigham, of the Rainier National Park Co. guide department, lost their way in a blizzard and fell into a crevasse at the 13,000-foot elevation while returning from an ascent of the mountain. Assistant Guide Forrest Greathouse and Mr Edwin Wetzel, of Milwaukee, Wis., lost their lives. The four other members of the party were more or less seriously injured but all recovered. Park Ranger Charles B. Browne, who went alone and improperly equipped to the aid of the summit party and later led several attempts for the rescue of the bodies of Wetzel and Greathouse, was cited for heroism and exceptionally meritorious service.

First-aid training.-Through the cooperation of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. officials two park rangers were given the complete Red Cross first-aid training course by the telephone company safety engineer. These men successfully passed the examination and were issued a certificate qualifying them as instructors by the Red Cross authorities. These men acted as instructors for the other rangers and permanent employees who took the firstaid training course during May and June. All permanent rangers are now qualified and several of the other employees have also completed the course. 76008-29- -8

The training of the rangers and other employees in first-aid work has already been of much benefit to the personnel. During nine months of the year there is no medical service whatever in the park and the nearest doctor resides 15 miles from Longmire Springs and is often not available.

NATURAL FEATURES AND wild life

Observations by the park naturalist, rangers, and other employees indicate that nothing of an unusual nature occurred to the natural features or wild life during the year.

Glaciers.-The glaciers continue to recede according to size, location, and whether active or inactive, from 30 feet to the large north-side glaciers to around 100 feet for the smaller south-side ice fields. Measurements of the Nisqually Glacier show that this one retreated 84 feet during the past year. A new trail, which was completed to the snout of the Nisqually Glacier from the improved parking area at the bridge on the Nisqually Road, has greatly increased the inspection of the ice and the canyon by visitors. This trail offers the most strategic point so far developed for the study of both glacial phenomena and the geological history of the mountain formation. This glacier has cut its canyon at this point entirely through the eruptive rocks of the old volcano and many feet down into the granite rocks of the old plateau underlying the mountain. The point of contact between the basalt cliffs standing high along this canyon and the granite beneath is exposed and in plain view from the trail, which leads up over the moraine to the snout of the glacier where the river issues from beneath solid ice 400 feet thick.

Several marked changes were noted in the great crevasses along the route to the summit on the upper courses of the Nisqually and Ingraham Glaciers, necessitating some changes in the summit route.

Conditions in the crater at the top remain unchanged. Sufficient heat still issues forth from the old crater to produce ice caverns and grotesque ice forms about the edge.

Flora-The flowers of the park were good, the season being favorable. A late spring was followed by abundant sunshine so that the Hudsonian Zone. the region of richest flower distribution, maintained its brilliant hues throughout the season. A few forest fires did some damage to the trees in limited areas. The only noticeable ravages of the insect pests were the beetles in the white pine. These trees are few in number and occasional in distribution so that these beetle inroads have made little effect upon the general forest appearance.

Animals. All wild animals are apparently thriving and most of the species are increasing. Bear, deer, and goat are frequently seen and are enjoyed by visitors. Cougar have apparently decreased considerably, as there were only two reports received indicating their presence in the park. It is believed that the coyote is also less numerous, where bobcat and lynx are apparently holding their own. The following is the estimated number of large wild animals in Mount Rainier National Park: Deer (Columbia Black Tail) 550, goat (White Mountain) 275, bear (black) 275. wolf (timber) 10-20, cougar (mountain lion) 6-12, eagle (bald and golden) 20-40.

Other small animals-marmot, cony, fox, squirrel, chipmunk, weasel, mink. and marten-are widely distributed throughout the park but no reliable estimate can be made of their numbers. Fox are noticeably increasing about Paradise Valley. There are still a few beaver found in the park.

Bird life.-No appreciable change was noted in the bird life of the park. The grouse, especially ptarmigan, had a good season. Many young chicks have been reported from various sections. Predatory birds, such as hawks and eagles, are not numerous.

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

The general foreman, Frank Akehurst, supervises all equipment, road, building. camp ground, sewer system, water supply, garbage-disposal plant. and other miscellaneous maintenance work in the park. He also cooperates with the chief ranger and park electrician in the maintenance of trails and telephone and electrical systems.

General maintenance work done during the year covered repair and upkeep of 34 miles of automobile roads, 175 miles of trails. 150 miles of telephone lines, 4 large and 4 small public auto camps, 9 patrol cabins. 5 permanent

ranger stations, 3 summer ranger stations, 10 cottages for employees, 1 administration building, 1 temporary museum, 2 community buildings, 7 utility buildings, including warehouse, repair shop, equipment sheds, bunk house and mess hall, and 27 other miscellaneous structures, such as comfort stations, cabins for temporary employees, and small tool sheds. All of these facilities were maintained in serviceable condition. Practically all of the maintenance funds are insufficient to provide for all of the upkeep and repair necessary to maintain structures in first-class condition. Due to heavy snowfall and other climatic conditions, deterioration is rapid.

The chief mechanic and his assistants repaired, overhauled, and reconditioned the park machinery, equipment, and tools as required. Due to the wornout condition of a greater part of the park transportation equipment, which includes heavy and light duty trucks, tractors, road graders, steamshovel, etc., nearly all of which was received from the surplus war service stock, the maintenance expense for this work is increasing each year. Each season sees greater delay in obtaining parts and increasing difficulty in maintaining the obsolete equipment.

EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT

This department is under the direction of C. Frank Brockman, who was acting park naturalist from September, 1928, to July 16, 1929, when his appointment as park naturalist became effective. During the months of July and August he was assisted by three temporary ranger-naturalists-one each at Longmire, Paradise, and the White River public camp.

Lecture service.-Lectures during the summer season were conducted at Paradise Valley (15 minutes were allotted on the public utility operator's program) each night, at Longmire, four nights a week, and at White River public camp twice each week, and were attended by 24,895 persons. In addition to the regular lectures several camp-fire and informal talks were given by the naturalist and his assistants to special groups. The naturalist also gave several talks to special groups outside the park.

Guide service.-During the summer season regular nature hikes were conducted in Paradise Valley twice daily; at Longmire, four times a week, and at White River public camp, twice a week. A total of 3,871 persons attended the regularly scheduled guide field trips. In addition numerous special guide field trips were conducted at each of the three nature guide centers for interested groups seeking special information and for special parties with a limited time at their disposal. The number of people conducted on the special trips was 525. Several special long hikes were conducted to scenic or other interest points to limited groups, totaling 129.

Nature trails.-Two trails each were established and maintained at Paradise, Longmire, and the White River public camp on which the flowers, trees, etc., were tagged for easy identification. No facilities were available for· checking the number of people who visited these trails but it is believed that a greater number of people enjoyed them than any previous year. Many complimentary remarks which indicated much public appreciation of this work were received.

Publications.-Nature News Notes were published monthly during the winter and biweekly during the summer season. The educational department prepared and published a park bibliography and the naturalist edited and prepared drawings for a new set of trail guides for each of the four park districts visited by large numbers of people. Work was started on the preparation of a park manual of information and a history of the park. It is the intention to assemble all possible technical and historical information of the park for compilation into a volume of encyclopedia form.

Research and technical cooperation.-Cooperation was begun with the Pacific Northwest Experiment Station in phenological observations. The naturalist also aided in the collection of certain technical trees and flowers for use by several universities and he began a collection of botanical specimens of trees and the preparation of a park herbarium.

Through the lectures, publications, nature trails, and guide parties approximately 90,000 people were furnished information by the educational department during the year.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

This department is under the direction of Acting Resident Engineer R. D. Waterhouse, assigned to this park from the chief engineer's office during the summer construction season for the past three years. All new construction and improvements of buildings, trails, public auto camps, and minor road projects have been under his supervision. The following projects were constructed this year:

Buildings.-Warehouse, 112 by 30 feet was erected at Longmire. It is a frame building with 1 by 12 inches drop sidings and shake roof, supported on a stone foundation. It was completed and occupied on July 27, 1929. A standard 4-room cottage, 28 by 38 feet, was built in the residential area at Longmire. This building is a frame structure with shake siding and roof and supported on a rock foundation. A woodshed, 14 by 20 feet, was provided and the building was completed on September 5. The old warehouse building, 30 by 60 feet, was moved to a new utility site and remodeled to provide dormitory accommodations for employees on duty at headquarters. Four single rooms, a living room, a shower bath, and toilet were provided on the ground floor. The upper story is one large room. A log checking station, 44 by 31 feet, with an ell extending over the road, will be constructed this fall at the new White River entrance. A garage and equipment shed, 80 by 26 feet, with 1 by 12 inches drop siding and shake roof, will be constructed this fall for housing equipment at the new White River entrance.

A stone comfort station made of native materials, 14 by 22 feet, with toilets for men and women and containing waterproof concrete chemical tanks, was completed at Panorama Point on the Skyline Trail on August 15. The building fits into the surroundings very well and is much appreciated by hikers and saddle parties who travel the Skyline Trail. The mess hall and bunk house at the Government camp in Paradise Valley, 72 by 18 feet, and 60 by 18 feet. respectively, of frame construction with 1 by 12 inches drop siding and shake roof, were reconstructed. Similar buildings constructed last year were completely demolished by the snow during the winter, making it necessary to request funds from the emergency reconstruction fund for rebuilding them. A rock shelter cabin, 18 by 24 feet, was constructed on the Northern Loop Trail near Lake James.

Trails. The following trails were improved: Glacier Bridge to Nisqually Glacier, 0.6 mile, widened, graded, and surfaced; Paradise Trail, 2 miles, widened and graded; Yakima Park Trail, 2.5 miles, widened and improved; Reflection Lakes to Cowlitz River, 5 miles, reconstructed and improved. A rustic log bridge, 35 feet long by 5 feet wide, was constructed over the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River where the Wonderland Trail crosses the Box Canyon. Two trail hubs or starting centers built from rustic materials were placed near the Community House and Paradise Camp in Paradise Valley for the guidance of hikers and stimulation of trail interest.

Roads, minor projects.-About 600 feet of road approaching the new administration building at Longmire was regraded and a curve improved after moving the old administration building. Eighty-three feet of iron culvert were used for draining this piece of road. The 1,300 feet of road graded in 1928 to connect Paradise Inn with the new hotel site was surfaced with crushed rock. Stone head walls for the 48-inch concrete culvert were built.

Camp ground development.-At Longmire the 1,500 feet of new loop road graded last year and also parts of the other camp ground roads were constructed. At Paradise Valley a total of three-fourths of a mile of camp ground roads was surfaced with finely crushed rock. This surfacing greatly improved the appearance of the camp roads as well as riding qualities. A new. pole line one-half mile long for lighting the camp grounds was constructed. Sewer extension at Paradise Valley included the laying of 800 feet of sewer pipe, a spray system, and a syphon to care for the effluent from the septic tank This extension was necessary to prevent contamination of the creek draining into the Nisqually River. Four hundred feet of lateral sewer pipe were laid to connect the ranger quarters in the community house.

Yakima Park development.-All of the funds, $9,000, available were used to start construction of a water-supply system. Ten thousand four hundred feet of trench for water mains was dug and 7,000 feet of 6-inch wood pipe was purchased and laid. The topographic mapping of the area was completed and data on the water supply, sewage-disposal system, and power sources were gathered.

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