[1] It was officially designated as wilderness by Congress in 1984 to protect the scenic alpine environment that complements the adjacent Mount Rainier National Park.

Tatoosh means "breast" in the Chinook Jargon,[2] in reference to the two large rock outcrops on the south face of Butter Peak.

Archaeological evidence suggests that these high country treks were a long tradition among the local Indian people.

[3] Author Martha Hardy wrote about her experiences keeping watch at the fire lookout in her 1947 book Tatoosh.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.