MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

national park, Washington, U.S., created in 1899 to preserve 235,404 ac (95,264 ha) of the Cascade Range, including Mt. Rainier, a dormant volcano 14,410 ft (4,392 m) high. This peak is sculptured by ice, and 41 glaciers remain around the summit. During the warm months, the park and the mountain are largely covered with wild flowers that bloom progressively higher up the slopes as the summer passes. The lower areas also have dense forests. The park's wildlife is likewise abundant and varied. Deer, elk, bears, and mountain goats are the largest animals; there are also raccoons, squirrels, and other smaller mammals. Small birds are also numerous.