Paridise Inn in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

A Recovering Forest

Mount Rainier National Park

By Don Morfe, September 14, 2009

1. A Recovering Forest Marker

Inscription. Does this forest look different than the forest on the other side of the river? Multiple mudflows have raced down Mount Rainier’s slopes snapping off trees like toothpicks. When the mud stopped flowing, it set like concrete over tree roots, suffocating them. The younger trees here are beginning to heal the scar left by many mudflows.

Look at the different species of trees in this forest. Many are Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and alder, some of the first to sprout through the thick mud. Staying on trails allows forests to recover naturally. This forest will continue to recover until the next disturbance occurs.

(Inscription over the photo in the bottom left)
Look for the western hemlock with its droop limbs of flat needles, small cones, and a rough scaly bark.

(Inscription over the photo in the bottom right)
Alders have leaves with teeth-like edges and smooth bark, often partially covered with lichens.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Location. 46° 44.489′ N, 121° 53.792′ W. Marker is in Paridise Inn, Washington, in Pierce County. Marker is on Paridise Road East. Touch for map. The marker is located in Mount

View Along the Trail image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 14, 2009

2. View Along the Trail

Rainier National Park. Marker is in this post office area: Paradise Inn WA 98398, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Kautz Creek Nature Trail (a few steps from this marker); Changing Course (a few steps from this marker); An Ancient Community (approx. 8.2 miles away); Inspired to Preserve (approx. 8.7 miles away).

Categories. • Natural Features •

By Don Morfe, September 14, 2009

3. A Recovering Forest Marker

Quote from a partially photographed marker at this location-“The bridge was gone. And the mud was just flowing across the road…You could see these boulders suspended in the water, and mud about the consistency of concrete. The ground was quivering all over.” Assistant Chief Ranger Bill Butler, 1947

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on December 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Full view of the marker. • Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Full view of marker seen in Photo #3 • Can you help?