Tatoosh Wilderness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tatoosh Wilderness |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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The Tatoosh Range from Mount Rainier National Park
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 Tatoosh Wilderness
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lewis County, Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | Olympia, WA |
| Area | 15,725 acres (6,364 ha) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Tatoosh Wilderness | |
The Tatoosh Wilderness is a special protected area located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington, a state in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States. It's a place where nature is kept wild and untouched, covering about 15,725 acres (6,364 ha) (which is roughly 24.5 square miles). The U.S. Forest Service looks after this amazing wilderness.
Congress officially made the Tatoosh Wilderness a protected area in 1984. This was done to keep its beautiful mountain environment safe. It's right next to Mount Rainier National Park, and its stunning views add to the natural beauty of the area. A famous part of this wilderness is Tatoosh Peak, which is part of the larger Tatoosh Range.
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History of Tatoosh Wilderness
The name "Tatoosh" comes from the Chinook Jargon, a language once used by many Native American tribes and traders in the Pacific Northwest. In this language, "Tatoosh" means "breast." This name refers to two large rock formations on the south side of Butter Peak, which look like breasts.
Native American History in Tatoosh
The Tatoosh Range was historically used by the Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) Indians. Every year, in late summer, Taidnapam families would travel up the ridge. They came from their fishing camps located where the Muddy Fork and Clear Fork Cowlitz Rivers meet.
They visited the mountains to hunt animals and gather materials for making baskets. They also picked huckleberries, which are small, sweet berries. These berries were dried and taken back to their home villages to eat during the cold winter months. Old findings show that these trips into the high mountains were a long-standing tradition for the local Native American people.
Fire Lookout and a Book
In 1932, a special building called a fire lookout was built in the Tatoosh Wilderness. This lookout was used by people who watched for forest fires to help protect the area.
A writer named Martha Hardy shared her experiences working at this fire lookout. She wrote all about it in her book called Tatoosh, which was published in 1947.
Exploring the Tatoosh Wilderness
The Tatoosh Wilderness is a great place for hiking and exploring nature. You can get into the wilderness from different directions.
Accessing the Wilderness
From the north, you can reach the Tatoosh Wilderness through Mount Rainier National Park. If you're coming from the south, you can use the Tatoosh Trail. This trail helps people discover the beauty of the wilderness.
Tatoosh Trail and Lookout Site
A smaller path branches off from the main Tatoosh Trail. This path leads to the spot where the old fire lookout building once stood. This is the same place that Martha Hardy wrote about in her book. Today, only the foundations of the lookout building remain, but it's still a cool place to visit and imagine its past.
See also
In Spanish: Área salvaje Tatoosh para niños
