Forecast for the Cascades: Mostly cloudy with 20% chance of rain showers.

Forecast for the Olympics: Partly cloudy.

So, the Olympics it was! We planned to hike up to Upper Lena Lake and look at climbing either Lena or Bretherton. However, as I drove down to Tacoma to pick up Dale, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the spectacular morning alpenglow on Mount Rainier, and not a cloud to be seen. Plans were altered.

We arrived at Lake Mowich at 7:00 and immediately set off on the official “unofficial” trail up to Knapsack Pass. The trail is quite wet and muddy in its lower stretches. Avalanche lilies are just beginning to emerge along the lower trail, along with Western Pasque. The trail was snow free all the way up to the pass, which we reached in about 45 minutes. From there we followed the climbers trail up to the summit of First Mother Mountain and enjoyed spectacular, unobstructed views of Rainier. Some clouds were noticed low over the Central Cascades, but we could still see a distinguished Glacier Peak. Fay Peak had considerable snow yet on its north slopes, and we found that any snow not yet receiving sunlight was quite icy and difficult to get purchase in.

After nearly an hour on the summit we descended back down to the pass, noticing a few clouds hovering to the west. We began our descent and traverse thru Mist Park and over to Spray Park. Again, very little snow to negotiate. We commented that we had July conditions, except no bugs whatsoever. We did notice that the little snow we did traverse on was quite soft and sluffing (exposed to the sun).

We reached the Wonderland Trail and soon picked up a climbers path heading towards the Flett Glacier. More clouds were stacking to the west, though still nothing immediately threatening. The snow was now quite wet. By about 6,300’ we found ourselves shin deep in the snow. Clouds to the west were thickening. We could see down to Spray Park and Hessong Rock, but we could not look over Hessong Rock. Rainier was still in full view. The Central Cascades were dark.

On we climbed to the base of Echo Rock, which held a light dusting of snow on its upper reaches. The peak is comprised of fairly loose rock, though the views down to Mystic Lake and the Carbon Glacier are quite nice. We hurried off to Observation Rock, as we were growing concerned that Rainier would soon become engulfed in the ever-increasing dark clouds. Observation Rock had been our chief objective for the day and we didn’t want to be cheated of our views.

The snow was now knee deep as we climbed to the basin below Observation and traversed south below the rock summit. As we aimed for the summit ridge on the peak’s south side, I left the snow in hopes of finding easier travel on the volcanic rock. Nope. Back to the deep snow I went.

Finally the ridge was attained and a not-so-distinguished climbers trail. Soon, we were making ourselves comfortable on the summit. Views were outstanding, though we couldn’t see out to the west at all. We stayed on the summit for about an hour. At 3:00 we headed down.

The snow was very unstable. Many new sluffs existed that had not been present durring our ascent. As we descended below Echo Rock, the clouds began to thicken all around us and grow dark. At about 7,000’, thunder began to sound. Soon lightning was seemingly right above us, yet the thunder was still 5-6 seconds in following and seemed very high up. I immediately offered my ski poles to Dale and suggested he raise them high in the air with each step. We could look down to Spray Park via a “hole” in the clouds, but could not see anything else. About a mile from the Wonderland Trail (6,500’) a very cold rain began. We dropped our packs and dug out our parkas, only to have the short-lived rain stop (as I jokingly predicted). We found the Wonderland Trail in no time and enjoyed finally having something firm beneath our feet! By the time we reached the lower section of Spray Park, sucker holes of blue could be seen.

We reached the Spray Park TH at 6:00 for a total loop trip of 24 miles, 4,890’ total elevation gain. What a fabulous day!

Finally, we pulled over on the Mowich Lake Road shortly outside the park and enjoyed an unobstructed view back to a cloudless Mount Rainier and its glistening white slopes – nothing but blue skies overhead!

Pics posted soon at www.mountainscenes.com.

On a beautiful Fall weekend, this is a beautiful hike!

Super K and I left Kirkland by 7:00 Saturday morning.....kknowing that it was going to be a long day.....and expecting it to be a rewarding day!

After a quick stop at the ranger station in Wilkeson where we did our duty and registered to camp at Mowich Lake. This was also an opportune time to ask Ranger Jim about the route to Observation Rock. Jim was very helpful (as usual). He mentioned that the snow conditions around the rock could be icey and recommened the use of crampons and ice axe (which we had with us).

After continuing the drive to Mowich Lake (el 4,900 ft.), we set up camp (it is such a luxury to have picnic tables and toilets)....had a snack, organized our packs for the hike and were on the Wonderland Trail by 10:30.

The first mile looses about 300 feet then the trail starts up with switchbacks and climbs up to Spray Park. The wild flowers are gone, but the Park is still beautiful in fall colors of gold and brown.

We stayed on the main Wonderland Trail until we reached the high point at about el. 6,264 ft. There is also a large cairn at this point. Then taking a southerly turn (right), the trail climbs through gentle heather and rock slopes. At times the trail will fade away in the rocks. But with Echo Rock and Observation Rock in view, it is easy to set a course and head for the col between the Rocks. At a point where the trail encounters a ""wall"" of boulders, we picked our way to the top. There is a nice camp shelter with flowing water at this point....and the trail is easily picked up again. We circled around the first show field crossed anaother boulder field....kick steps across the next snow field...crossed a gravel ridge....dropped down to the edge of Russel Glacier where we strapped on crampons. We walked on up,.passing between Echo Rock and Observation Rock. As we approached Observation Rock we came to an icey gulley leading up adjacent to the northeast shoulder of Observation Rock. This was the iciest part of the climb and the crampons made the climb possible.. We attained the ridge line and from theer it is an easy scramble up to the summit (el. 8,364 ft.).

At the summit we met a roup of four ice climbers. They had just come up the steeper, icier north face of Observation Rock...and were enjoying the summit as much as we were. Time was passing. It was already 3:00. It took us 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit and we had to hustle to get back to camp before dark. So, we had a quick snack...took some photos and began our descent. Plunge stepping down the glacier and across the snow fields was fasat and easy. Again stopping at the lower edge of the Russel Glacier to take the crampons off and get onto the trail. Once we reached the Wonderland Trail, we made the rest of the trek to camp in pretty short order....and made it back before the sun set at 6:30.

Generally I would say that we had a great day....and we did!....But little did we know that more adventure was awaiting. After we had dinner.....and were relaxing with our cocoa, a young man ran into camp with news that one of his buddies had fallen and was hurt. Fortunately he had met 2 women on the trail who made contact with emergency personnel. K and I got as much information from the young man as we could to determine where the accident was. Now we all know that accidents can happen in the wilderness...but this group of young soldiers from Fort Lewis showed remakable lack of wisdom by deciding that they were going to go climbing at 6:00 at night! Anyway, I digress. By the time park emergency people showed up (just 35 miunutes after the call), We had determined that the Young ""climbers"" had gone up towards Knapsack Pass...then gone off trail up a rocky ridge in their attempt to climb to ""the Point"" of Faye Peak. With this information the first group of six people...which included 2 ranges and 4 other climbers/hikers headed up toward the accident. K and I stayed with Ranger Tyler at the Ranger Cabin where the litter was being prepared. A helicopter was on its way with a med tech. But the litter was necessary in case the victim had to be relocated to a place where the 'copter could pick him up. Now it was our turn....our group of six started hauling the litter up the steep rooted, muddy trail in the dark. Head lamps are an amazing tool! We would trade off toting the litter...as one person got tired or winded another would pick up the slack. It was a true team effort. When we were about 200 ft. from the accident site, we were directed to ""stand by"" until the litter was needed. We had no more than set the litter down when we could hear the sounds of a 'copter approaching. After setting the medic on the ground to stabilize the victim the ""copter circled around the area. We heard via Tyler's radio that the victim had a head injury...had lost a lot of blood, had broken his right leg, broken his left arm....and his pelvis. The med got the victim splinted and strapped to a back board then onto a litter to be hoisted into the 'copter....I am very impressed with the work of the rangers and the volunteer rescue workers. But the evenings work was not yet done. Another one fo the intrepid ""climbers"" had managed to get himself up onto a cliff about 150 ft above was unable to get himself down...yep, the guy got himself ""cliffed out"". We were wondering what would make this guy want to climb up there in the dark?!?! Maybe he wanted to get higher to get a connection for his cell phone? Again I digress. I am sure that he will be eternally grateful that there were some experienced climbers in the rescue party. They set anchors while dodgeing falling rock. With great difficulty the genius ""climber"" was belayed down. Whew! After a sigh of relief, we had to haul the litter and medical gear back to the ranger cabin....down that nasty, rooted, muddy, slippery trail. We made it back to camp in one piece....it was 12:30 and we were exhausted...and the remaining rescue workers were still coming down. It has been a very long day!

We slept pretty well. Our camp neighbors, who worked the night before, got up at 5:00 to go ice climbing at Observation Rock. We snoozed unitl about 7:00......had a nice breakfast with hot coffee. Then went for a hike up the Knapsack Pass trail. We wanted to see the accident site in daylight. The trail was still rooted, muddy in places and slippery in places...but it really is a decent trail...leading up through a pretty basin to Knapsack ,Pass where there are some wondeful views of Spray Park, Observation and Echo Rosks....with Mount Rainier in the background.

Although this was more adventure than we usually get on our hikes, it was certainly memorable...it was a beautiful area to explore. We hope the injured young man makes a complete recovery.