There is hardly a place in Western Oregon or Washington, elevated above the level of the forests, whence one does not enjoy a superb view of from one to six isolated snow mountains. This isolation must be again and again emphasized, not only because to it these Oregon and Washington mountains owe their individuality and unique grandeur but also because the view from any one of these isolated peaks is much more striking and comprehensive than a mountain view in ranges where the peaks are grouped closely together. ----Henry T. Finch.
The Indian name was Kulchan, "Great White Watcher." Many people regret the commonplace names given to our mountains and desire a restoration of the original Indian names. Washington Irving laments "The stupid; commonplace and often ribald names entailed upon rivers and other features of the Great West by traders and settlers. Indeed, it is to be wished that the whole of our country could be rescued from the wretched nomenclature inflicted upon it by ignorant and vulgar minds; and this might be done, in a great degree, by restoring the Indian names, in general more sonorous and musical. Many Indian myths are woven around Mt. Adams, one of them being of the "thunder bird", living in a cave on the east side of the mountain a bird of monstrous size, who would issue from his hiding place and clap his wings if any thing of profane nature approached the peak. The clapping of the bird's wings was thunder; the sparkling of its eyes was the lightning.