Tatoosh Range facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tatoosh Range |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,971 ft (2,125 m) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| Range coordinates | 46°44′42″N 121°42′00″W / 46.745°N 121.7°W |
| Parent range | Cascades |
The Tatoosh Range is a group of mountains located in Mount Rainier National Park and the nearby Tatoosh Wilderness in Washington state. This mountain range stretches from east to west, starting with Moon Mountain and ending with Rainbow Mountain and Eagle Peak. It includes 25 important peaks that have their own names.
These peaks are usually around 6,420 feet (1,957 meters) tall. The tallest peak is Unicorn Peak, which reaches 6,971 feet (2,125 meters) high. If you visit Mount Rainier, you can see the Tatoosh Range from the Paradise area. Many hikers love to explore this beautiful mountain range.
Several of the peaks, as viewed from Paradise.
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Exploring the Tatoosh Range: History and Naming
Some peaks in the Tatoosh Range are named for how they look, like the unique Unicorn Peak. Other peaks are named after important people. For example, Lane Peak is named in honor of Franklin Knight Lane, who used to be the United States Secretary of the Interior.
The Tatoosh Range has a long history, including some sad events. In 1924, a mountain guide named Paul Moser had a tragic accident while trying a new way to climb Unicorn Peak. In 2004, a 16-year-old named Vasiliy Kozorezov also had an unfortunate incident while hiking near the Eagle Peak Trail. Sometimes, bad weather can cause problems too. In 1946, thick fog caused park employees Donald Carlson and James Pratt to get lost for two days. Luckily, the weather got better, and they found their way back safely.
In 1910, a team from the USGS (a science agency that studies the Earth) was the first to officially reach the top of these peaks. In the 1920s and 1930s, farmers often brought their cattle to graze (eat grass) in the Tatoosh Range. In 1937, filmmakers tried to shoot a movie called Thin Ice here. But big snowstorms made it impossible! So, the actors Tyrone Power and Sonja Henie went back to California to film in a studio. The director, Dave Butler, and a cameraman stayed behind to film the Tatoosh Range for the movie's background scenes.
Peaks of the Tatoosh Range
Here is a list of the main peaks you can find in the Tatoosh Range:
- Unicorn Peak: 6,971 ft. (2,125m)
- West Unicorn Peak: 6,840 ft. (2,085m)
- Boundary Peak: 6,780 ft. (2,067m)
- Stevens Peak: 6,580 ft. (2,006m)
- Pinnacle Peak: 6,562 ft. (2,000m)
- Foss Peak (Manatee Mountain): 6,524 ft. (1,989m)
- The Castle: 6,460 ft. (1,969m)
- Bench Peak: 6,401 ft. (1,951m)
- Plummer Peak: 6,370 ft. (1,942m)
- Tatoosh Peak: 6,310 ft. (1,923m)
- Blue Peak: 6,235 ft. (1,900m)
- Wahpenayo Peak: 6,231 ft. (1899m)
- Cliff Peak: 6,153 ft. (1,875m)
- Packwood Peak: 6,050 ft. (1,844m)
- Chutla Peak: 6,020 ft. (1,835m)
- Lane Peak: 6,012 ft. (1,832m)
- Denman Peak: 6,006 ft. (1,831m)
- Fizrenken Peak: 5,961 ft. (1,817m)
- Carter Peak: 5,958 ft. (1,816m)
- Butler Peak: 5,919 ft. (1,804m)
- Eagle Peak:5,908 ft. (1,801m)
- Johnson Peak: 5,868 ft. (1,789m)
- The Backbone: 5,831 ft. (1,777m)
- Moon Mountain: 5,096 ft. (1,553m)
- Rainbow Mountain: 4,868 ft. (1,484m)
Fun Activities: Recreation in the Tatoosh Range
In the summer, the Tatoosh Range is a very popular place for hikers. You can get to the range from inside Mount Rainier National Park using trails like the Eagle Peak Trailhead, Pinnacle Peak Trailhead, and Snow Lake Trailhead. Some peaks, like Tatoosh Peak and Butler Peak, are outside the national park but can be reached from the Tatoosh Wilderness Area.
Some peaks are easy to reach by simply walking uphill, which is called hillwalking. Others need more challenging climbs, like alpine routes, which might involve scrambling (climbing over rocks using your hands) or even rock climbing. When winter arrives, the range becomes a favorite spot for skiers and people who enjoy snowshoeing.
