Unique and charming gift book about iconic Mount Rainier National Park from a beloved artist's perspective

Home to more than 120 alpine plant species, three of which are found nowhere else in the world, Mount Rainier remains a refuge for a diversity of flora and fauna. It is also a magnet for the hundreds of thousands of people who live within sight of its snowy slopes and for millions of visitors who arrive from around the world each year. O'Hara and McNulty explore the conflict this presents as park managers attempt to balance protection of the mountain's fragile ecosystems with the desires of the many who wish to seek solitude in its vast forests or challenge themselves on its daunting glaciers.

Fully updated and revised, Hiking Mount Rainier is a comprehensive and concise guide to the well-maintained trails nestled between the two major metropolises of the Pacific Northwest. Included are sixty hike descriptions for hikers of all ages and skill levels.

"A natural and environmental history of Mount Rainier National Park and its watersheds and surrounding human communities, with emphasis on Native American people and their millennia-long association with the mountain"--

A tour through Washington's Mount Rainier National Park introduces the park's flora, fauna, topography, history, weather, and attractions. The Trail of Shadows, Nisqually Glacier, and the Carbon River are all discussed. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a table of contents, informative captions and sidebars, detailed maps, map legends, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, and an index.

Bob McIntyre's sensitive and informative foreword sets the tone for this color photograph appreciation of and tribute to Mount Rainier National Park by a favorite Farcountry Press photographer. Gurche once again captures the essence of his subject's natural and man-made features.