Those who go up into the clouds and sky on high mountains will find a
variety of lofty and magnificent peaks in the National Parks. These
peaks rise amid and above wildernesses of superb scenes, splendid
combinations of peaks, streams, lakes, passes, forests, and moorlands.
My three favorite peaks in the United States are Mount Rainier, Long's
Peak, and the Grand Teton, which is near Jackson's Hole, Wyoming.
In many respects Mount Rainier is the noblest mountain in the world.
It is high, and to reach its summit is to make a journey that requires
preparation and care. Much ice work is necessary in order to attain
the top. Once there, the climber looks down upon extensive landscapes
of forests and sea, islands and rivers, and snowy peaks.
Long's Peak is a rugged, vast monolith of granite 14,255 feet high.
Usually it is almost entirely free of both ice and snow. It is a rock
climb. It stands not in but immediately in front of the Continental
Divide, whose near-by ruggedness is tremendously impressive. Far away
one looks out over seas of mountains and on ocean plains. Standing
side by side with Long's Peak, and of almost equal height, is Mount
Meeker, also a rock climb that reveals scenes of unusual interest.
The Yellowstone has three excellent mountain-top view-points: Mount
Washburn, Mount Sheridan, and Electric Peak. One can motor to the top
of Mount Washburn, and the climbs to the tops of the other two are not
extremely difficult.
In the Yosemite, Mount Hoffman, not the highest peak, but centrally
located, commands the extraordinary scenes of the Park. Of the higher
peaks, Mount Lyell is an excellent example.
It is probable that Mount Whitney will become a part of the Sequoia
National Park. It is comparatively easy of ascent and commands great
views of the higher peaks of the Sierra. It is the highest peak within
the bounds of the Union, being 14,501 feet high.
Among a wilderness of rugged mountains and lakes of the Glacier
National Park are scores of peaks well worthy of the climber. To me
Going-to-the-Sun Mountain and Mount Cleveland are two of the better
ones.
Exercising in the heights quickly disinfects and reënergizes the
system. A mental uplift, a broadening of the view, and a general
lasting exhilaration come from the effort of mountain-climbing,
together with the intimate human association and the soul-stirring
scenes which it brings. Climbing a worthy peak ought to be listed
among the proudest of our yearly accomplishments.
In "The Canoe and the Saddle" Theodore Winthrop thus translates the
good tidings of the mountains:--
Exaltation such as the presence of the sublime and solemn heights
arouses, we dwellers eastward cannot have as an abiding
influence. Other things we may have, for Nature will not let
herself anywhere be scorned; but only mountains, and chiefest the
giants of snow, can teach whatever lessons there may be in vaster
distances and deeper depths of palpable ether, in lonely grandeur
without desolation, and in the illimitable, bounded within an
outline. Therefore, needing all these emotions at their maximum,
we were compelled to make pilgrimages back to the mountains....
Mountains have been waiting, even in ancient worlds, for cycles,
while mankind looked upon them as high, cold, dreary, crushing--as
resorts for demons and homes of desolating storms. It is only
lately, in the development of men's comprehension of nature, that
mountains have been recognized as our noblest friends, our most
exalting and inspiring comrades, our grandest emblems of divine
power and divine peace.