Distribution of private automobiles entering Mount Rainier National Park, by States, and of total tourist travel from Seattle, Tacoma, and the various States and countries, for the travel year 1924-Continued Travel from Tacoma. Travel from other points in Washington--. Travel from States east of the Mississippi River Travel from States west of the Mississippi, exclusive of Washington__. Total travel for year-. CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OREG. 57, 055 GENERAL STATEMENT Crater Lake National Park was created by congressional act approved May 22, 1902 (32 Stat. 202). It comprises an area of 249 square miles, situated in southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountains. The altitude range is from 4,250 to 8,938 feet. There are some private timber holdings along the southeastern border. ADMINISTRATION The park executive is the superintendent, assisted throughout the year by one clerk and one permanent ranger. Nine temporary rangers and about 40 men are added during the season. The superintendent directs all park activities except the post office and the judicial function, which rests with United States commissioner, Mr. W. G. Steel. PUBLIC UTILITIES The Crater National Park Co. operates the Lodge (hotel), a small store at the Lodge, a store at Anna Spring, an automobile stage service, and a launch and boat service on the lake. Physical improvements made this year by the company include the comple tion, exteriorly, of the addition to the Lodge destined to add 85 rooms to the original 61-room structure; the completion and furnishing of 22 of these new rooms; a new 40-passenger launch; and a boathouse on Wizard Island. The Kiser studio, holding a photographic franchise, added a small wing to provide a developing and printing service. The Standard Oil Co. excellently operated the service station at Anna Spring. GENERAL CONDITIONS The season was marked by unusually early snow recession. With little labor expenditure the loop through Anna Spring opened on May 16 and to the Rim on May 27. The Rim Road was opened on June 23, over 4 weeks earlier than any previous record. This early drying of the roads and of the forest floor rendered road maintenance difficult and the fire hazard critical; especially as relief in the form of precipitation came only twice during the summer. Flowers bloomed brilliantly almost immediately after snow recession, but withered early; the grasses and other low vegetation faded quickly. Streams were reduced in volume early and some hitherto unfailing springs dried up, Cold Spring, Anderson Spring, and others failing for the first time in their known history. Except for the very dusty roads and for a somewhat desiccated appearance of the park in general, it was an ideal season for visitors, particularly campers, who enjoyed the almost uninterrupted succession of cool sunny days and starlit nights. APPROACH ROADS The year saw the completion of the Mile-high Highway between Klamath Falls and a point 6 miles below Ashland on the Pacific Highway. This fine macadam highway, together with the equally well maintained highway between Klamath Falls and our south entrance, was used by a greatly increased proportion of Park visitors. The McLeod Cascade Gorge section of the Crater Lake Highway out of Medford to our west entrance was completed this year. This road is now completely widened and is surfaced except for the 6-mile stretch between Silver Camp and our west entrance. The Dallas-California Highway is completed from Klamath Falls to a point beyond intersection with the 4-mile spur connecting with our east road; northward toward Bend, however, it was bad going. The dirt road between Diamond Lake and our north boundary was well maintained. ROADS WITHIN THE PARK Road maintenance was especially difficult this year, the contributing factors being the early and long season, great increase in travel, lack of precipitation, and inadequate funds and equipment. By utilizing every resource the 57-mile road system within the park was maintained as something better than passable, but it is sadly apparent that our present road surfaces will not withstand the battering of over 200 cars a day. TRAILS All park trails were sufficiently maintained all season, effort being distributed in accordance with comparative use. A new trail was constructed from White Horse Bridge to the Nutcracker; a short trail made from Government Camp to the Lady of the Woods. Only four of our trails are much traveled. TELEPHONE SYSTEM Telephone service was more satisfactory than last year. Four high-power instruments were installed advantageously. A parallel line was constructed between Anna Spring and Government Camp, making two simultaneous conversations possible. The entire system, except the Wineglass and Backbone lines, was restrung and renovated. Long-distance service is not satisfactory. NEW CONSTRUCTION A wing was added to the log cabin at Government Camp, the remodeled structure now adequately providing a general office, a superintendent's office, and an information bureau. A community house was constructed at the Rim auto camp. It is of appropriate design, fills a definite need, and is much appreciated by thousands of campers. MISCELLANEOUS WORK Major effort has been directed toward road maintenance, but a considerable anrount of miscellaneous work has also been accomplished, including the roofing with shakes of the west and east entrance cabins and the Anna Spring bunk house; reconstruction in whole or in part of four bridges; construction of two new latrines near the boat landing construction of a new powder house; erection of an appropriate log boundary arch; shingling of tank house; installation of small generating sets at Government Camp and the Rim; improvement of water-heating devices at the Rim comfort station; painting or staining of several structures; erection of new park signs; repair of buildings; and a general overhauling of trucks, pumping, and riscellaneous equipPARK MENACES ment. Crater Lake did not entirely escape harm from the forest-fire hazard general throughcut the West. An electrical storm started several fires, the worst, that on the west slope of Sun Creek Canyon, covering about 700 acres. Later, on the west slope of Timber Crater (one of the 9 started simultaneously by another thunder storm) another fire burned about 400 acres. A score of other fires were started by storms, but all were controlled before harm was done. There were no serious fires of camp-fire origin, thanks to the loyal assistance of campers. TRAVEL IN 1924 Be Weather conditions, together with increased publicity, resulted in the heaviest increase in travel yet recorded. The western gate led, but the southern gate showed a greater percentage of increase. The Loop trip through the park was much more popular than last year. Travel to and from Diamond Lake increased considerably. cause of the poor condition of certain sections of the road south of Bend the east entrance was comparatively unimportant as a gateway. The outstanding feature of the season was the heavy travel from California. As will be noted from the above statements of revenues and appropriations, Crater Lake National Park is being operated at a profit to the Government, revenues for the 1924 fiscal year exceeding our 1925 appropriation by $5,248.18. FISHING Fishermen reported unusually good catches in the Lake, especially the silversides planted two years ago, which appear to thrive better than the rainbow trout. Stream fishing was less satisfactory, although experts made good catches of Dolly Varden in Anna Creek. Twenty-five thousand rainbow fingerlings were planted in the Lake through the courtesy of the Klamath Hatchery and the State Game Commission. WILD LIFE ABUNDANT The late fall, mild winter, and early spring were beneficial to wild life. Ten bear, including four new cubs, were almost daily visitors at Government Camp, to the great enjoyment of thousands of visitors. Deer were in almost daily evidence along the roads; fawns were especially numerous. The imported band of elk that ranges near our southern border is reported as having increased to nine, Predatory animals were little in evidence. The smaller wild life was very abundant, especially marmots. Bird life seems to have increased considerably over last year. CAMP-FIRE STUNTS An innovation this year was the organizing as often as possible of impromptu entertainments in the camp grounds. Campers were encouraged to gather about a central camp fire where, stimulated by singers and entertainers recruited from men and women employed within the park, they enjoyed and participated in informal entertainment. The completion of the community house in mid-season permitted dancing, lectures, and other appropriate diversions; pleasant evenings appreciated by thousands of Americans from all over the country. It was a pleasure to us, too, to see visitors gather thus about the fireplace, where strangers became as old friends in the swift alchemy of park spirit. GIFTS We are indebted to the Medford Chamber of Commerce for the purchase of 5,000 park folders; to Mr. Fred Kiser, who has loaned a fine collection of park pictures to our winter headquarters; to the Craters Club of Medford for the gift of a phonograph and records for the community house; and to the California-Oregon Power Company for two highly appropriate pictures. RECOMMENDATIONS (1) The great fundamental need in this park is improved roads. Travel is so heavy that they can no longer be satisfactorily maintained, so surfacing becomes imperative. (2) It is urgently recommended that remedial measures be taken against further forest losses due to insect infestation. (3) Our bears constitute a major attraction. It is recommended that the Oregon Legislature be urged to establish an appropriate bear preserve surrounding the park. (4) In view of the fact that Crater Lake returns a profit to the Government, it is urged that larger appropriations be made available, as increases are needed in every branch of park endeavor. (5) That mechanical equipment be furnished to replace present laborious and expensive hand methods of clearing the roads of snow. (6) Long-distance telephone service is unsatisfactory. A direct line to Medford would relieve this situation. (7) That funds be made available to eliminate the litter of felled trees that border our woods. (8) That a nature-guide service be provided for this park. PLATT NATIONAL PARK ROBERT G. MORRIS, Superintendent, Sulphur, Oklahoma GENERAL STATEMENT Platt National Park was created by acts of Congress July 1, 1902, and April 21, 1904, and contains an area of 848.31 acres of land lying just south of the city of Sulphur, Okla. Platt National Park was formerly called Sulphur Springs Reservation, but was changed to Platt National Park during the administration of McKinley and Roosevelt in honor of the late Hon. Cyril H. Platt, United States Senator from Connecticut, in recognition of his great services to the Indians and to the country. This park was set aside for the people of the United States because of the many medicinal springs found here which have been known and used for their medicinal properties as far back as we have any record of them. SPRINGS The principal springs are the Bromide, Medicine, and Sodium Chloride Springs in the western part of the park; the Black Sulphur, Bromide Sulphur, Pavilion, and Hillside Springs in the central part of the park and the Antelope and Buffalo Springs in the extreme eastern part of the park. The Antelope and Buffalo Springs are nonmineral in character and flow from an elevation of 1,080 feet above sea level. It is estimated that 5,000,000 gallons of water flow from these two springs daily. They are the source of the Travertine Creek, famed for its beauty and purity. The Bromide Spring is by many considered the most wonderful spring, as its waters are found to be a cure for stomach trouble, nervousness, and rheumatism. The Black Sulphur Spring is also fast becoming very popular and thousands of people visit it and drink its waters. They also use the mud in which to take baths and claim many wonderful cures from its use. The water from the Black Sulphur Springs is beneficial in the case of skin diseases, chronic sores, eczema, and other blood diseases. VISITORS TO PLATT NATIONAL PARK During the year past the number of visitors to Platt National Park has steadily increased, and included people from 38 States, Old Mexico, District of Columbia, Canada, and South America. All went away singing the praises of the park. Our opening day was a great success, with thousands of visitors, and the stream of visitors and campers has never stopped since. The following table will show how Platt has steadily increased in the estimation of the people. CAMPERS During the year past our camp grounds have been used by thousands of campers. During the summer months we were crowded to capacity and had difficulty keeping campers away from roads and springs where they tried to camp. The camp-supply houses in town were rushed till there was not another tent to be had at times. Campers coming to Platt during the year used 24,658 automobiles and 198 teams. ANIMALS Our animals are a source of much enjoyment. The elk are very fond of being fed and will follow tourists around the fence in the hope of getting eats. The deer also are very tame and will eat from one's hand. This year we have another baby elk, making four elk here now. The squirrels come in for a great amount of attention. They are so tame that they will come and sit on one's lap and take the nuts offered them or climb into pockets hunting for them. The buffalo are the only animals here that are not friendly with the visitors. ROADS The roads in Platt Park were originally made for horse-drawn vehicles and are very narrow. To-day the horse has been replaced by the car, and our roads are not fit for the heavy automobile traffic. They have never been wide enough and have been patched and repatched and are now in very bad condition. I estimate that $50,000 will be required to make the roads here safe and fit for travel. After leaving rock highways our roads are even more noticeable to tourists and they condemn us before they know the conditions. IMPROVEMENTS The only item of improvement the past year was the remaking of a causeway over Rock Creek. Our entire time has been expended in extending our camp grounds, repairing the roads, and in keeping the park in as good a condition as possible without funds for upkeep and improvement. RECOMMENDATIONS Platt National Park's needs are: Buildings repaired and repainted; pavilion over Black Sulphur Springs; more men to do the work, and more teams, harness, wagons, and equipment; larger camp grounds, more comfort stations, more sewer lines, more water and light; widening, grading, and resurfacing of roads; and an automobile for the use of the superintendent. A Government bathhouse should be established at Platt and other improvements installed to make the park a real health and pleasure resort. WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK ROY BRAZELL, Superintendent, Hot Springs, S. Dak. GENERAL STATEMENT This park was created by act of Congress January 9, 1903 (32 Stat. 765), and is located in the southern Black Hills in southwestern South Dakota. It is approximately 4 miles square and is about evenly divided between rolling prairie and timbered mountains, the altitude ranging from about 3,500 to 5,000 feet. THE CAVE Our main attraction is Wind Cave, the entrance of which is in the approximate center of the park. When discovered, in 1881, the original opening was but 8 or 10 inches in diameter, from which a strong current of air was issuing, hence the name "Wind Cave." This "wind" has no regularity as to direction or velocity, and at times is astonishingly strong either going into or issuing from the cave and is a very good barometer, indicating a change in the weather from 4 or 5 hours to a whole day in advance. So far as known there is but this one opening to the cave. Wind Cave is one of the biggest caves known, having over 100 miles of explored passages, with the end still to be found. It contains practically all of the geological formations of limestone, many of which are very beautiful and some of which are found only in this cave. Some of the chambers are very large, covering 4 or 5 acres, but as a whole it consists of a series of narrow passages and small rooms. Three routes, called the Garden of Eden, the Fair Grounds, and the Pearly Gates-a short, medium, and long route, respectively-have been opened to the public. ADMINISTRATION Our personnel is, because of lack of funds, incomplete. The park is administered by a superintendent and one permanent ranger. During the busy season a few temporary rangers are employed who act as guides in the cave. It has been impossible to employ a sufficient number of the right type of men to properly show the cave to visitors and to protect the formations therein. VISITORS Despite unfavorable economic conditions all previous records of visitors were eclipsed, the increase for the months of June, July, and August being 26 per cent over last season's record-breaking run. The number of visitors to this park has more than |