Spray Park/Observation Roc

Mount Rainier
National Park - Went for our annual overnighter high above Spray Park. Didn't know we were going to have to take out a minor loan for the weekend! Not only do you need to cough up the $20 (for 2) for the backcountry permit, they're also collecting a $10 entrance fee at the Paul Peak parking lot! It's one of those little metal box, honor system things. I'm curious just how my $10 is going to improve this area of the park! Bigger and better potholes' More washboard corners' Anyway... on to the report. The trail is in great shape. Lots of fixing up and meadow restoration going on in the meadow. There is still just a bit of snow on the trail up in the meadow. There's still some fairly large patches near the saddle around 6400'. The rut is worn in pretty good so keeping on the trail shouldn't be too hard... at least until you get to the saddle! If continuing on into Seattle Park, we didn't see much in the way of tracks. Except for the mother/daughter team we ran into doing the entire Wonderland loop. They said it was still pretty white over on the west side and that they were one of the first ones through. Looks like they were going to be the first ones over the saddle too! But then again, footprints melt out pretty quick. The climber's path up the ridge to Observation Rock is pretty obvious, and in good shape. Still quite a bit of snow up there. The hike up into Spray Park is a really good introductory hike for people just starting out. And if you've never been... go! It's gorgeous.