RAINIER, MOUNT

highest mountain (14,410 feet ) in the state of Washington, U.S., and in the Cascade Range. It lies 40 miles (64 km) southeast of the city of Tacoma. Covering 100 square miles (260 square km), the mountain is surrounded by the largest single-mountain glacier system in the United States outside Alaska, with 41 glaciers radiating from the broad summit. A dormant volcano, which last erupted 2,000 years ago, it lies within the Mount Rainier National Park (created 1899). The mountain contains three major peaksLiberty Cap, Point Success, and Columbia Crestand is noted for dense stands of coniferous trees on lower slopes, scenic alpine meadows, waterfalls and lakes, and an abundance of wildlife and flowers. The English explorer George Vancouver sighted the summit on May 8, 1792, and named it for a fellow navigator, Peter Rainier. The first successful ascent was completed by Hazard Stevens and P.B. Van Trump on Aug. 17, 1870. The mountain is a popular tourist and recreation area. It is sometimes referred to by its Indian name, Mount Tacoma.