arrived around one pm on a Sunday for this hike. the lake parking lot was spilling out far down the road but I came so late I found some spots close to the trailhead.

the trail is a little challenging but doable, easier w poles. the biggest issue for me was the bugs. they were re.lent.less. if you're like me and bugs just love you, get the good deet (98%) and cover all your skin with clothes, maybe one of those beekeeper hats too. I couldn't enjoy most of the hike itself because horseflies and biting flies were swarming me like the entire fly community had a contract hit out on me. I couldn't pee or stop to take a breath because I'd get immediately swarmed. I didn't see anyone else swiping at the air like I was, but they were in my ears, getting trapped between my sunglasses and face, getting stuck on my hair. it sucked so much. on the other hand, it definitely helped motivate me up the last half mile because I was effing done with those bugs.

the viewpoints are nice; the big waterfall is incredible but there's a dozen other people all over the place so there's gonna be a stranger in almost all your pics. there was a group of boys blasting their music the entire trail (???) and they spent thirty minutes posing shirtless in front of the waterfall so that was entertaining at least. I didn't cross the fall, I just had my trail beer and headed back. the waterfall was the only spot with reprieve from the bugs for me.

the trail is popular despite this WTA description. I saw dozens of hikers on my way down. mostly just me and the bugs on the way back. glad I did it; probably won't do it again.

Arrived 9:30am and had to park .8 miles from trailhead. Not too busy on actual trail. Stunning views. Some snow at top but easy to cross. When you make it to the rock fields and a big cairn and the trail starts to descend you at the turn around point.

Got to Mowich Lake before 8 am and parked by the road about 0.2 mile from the trailhead. Not many folks on the trail. Met a group of 6 runners doing the 18 miles loop! Went to Spray Fall. The waterfall view (first picture) was great on the other side after I crossed the creek. – had to either step over couple wet boulders or walked on couple narrow logs. Many wildflowers by Spray Park. Headed up to the saddle. I went up Mount Pleasant first. Some narrow trail with overgrow but not hard to navigate. Many bugs at the summit. Saw couple tents close to the summit. Went back to the saddle. Crossed a snow field, no spikes needed though. The trail to Hessong Rock was steep and sometimes hard to find. Once on top, it was fun to walk around the summit. Some breeze and less bugs here. Coming down was a bit steep and slippery on the loose dirt trail. My trekking posts helped a lot. Met more tourists on the way out. It was a great hike on a sunny day. Cars parked over a mile away when I left.

AllTrails: 9.46 miles 2644 fett elevation gain.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-scenic-drive-at-spray-park-trail-to-mount-pleasant-13111c2?u=i

Another spectacular sunrise hike.  I started at Mowich Lake up to Knapsack Pass, a quick trip up to First Mother Mountain and looped out through Spray Park. 

Mowich Lake Road: still in great shape. 40 minutes up. 30 minutes down.

Mowich Lake to Knapsack Pass: This is an unmaintained trail. Roots, rocks and some scrambling. But, it's easy to follow.  The hardest part is finding the start of the trail.  It is literally feet away from the front door of the ranger’s cabin. The sign marking the trail has fallen over. I knew where the trail started and still had trouble finding it.

Knapsack Pass to First Mother Mountain:  Trail is easy to see and follow. It does take a little scrambling.  If one does not want to do any scrambling, there is a nice ledge just below the summit for views and photography.

Knapsack Pass to Spray Park:  This is the tricky section.  The talus field is mostly melted. It felt  more like crossing a loose scree field at a steep angle this morning.  I did slide a couple of times.  Once off of the talus field is the first snow field.  It is fairly easy to follow. I still utilized navigation for  confirmation.  There is a small snow free section that is a boulder field that you will come across next. I found navigation helpful to keep me on the correct line.  The last snowfield is the trickiest.  I used navigation heavily here.  In short, you want to head directly south towards Tahoma to stay on trail. The snow field is fairly flat and does not require traction.  If you feel yourself going down, you are off trail.  I could see someone either slipped or glissaded down the gully very recently.  It took them 100 feet off trail.  If you head directly south towards Mt. Rainier, you will see the trail faintly on the other side.

Spray Park: I was shocked to see the snow that was prevalent last Wednesday 99% gone and wildflowers are popping.  Lilies are past prime. 

Wildflowers starting to bloom:  Bistort (some past prime), Pasqueflower (some pedals some seedheads), white mountain heather, lupine, aster, gentian, penstemon, arnica, cinquefoil, lousewort, paintbrush (red and magenta), pink mountain heather and phlox.

Other Notes: It was cool enough to wear layers, a knit hat and gloves when I started.  No bugs!  Not sure if it was the temps or the wind.

The parking lot was full when I left at 9:30am. Cars were starting to park along the road.  

On my last two trail miles, I was passing a group of day hikers every 200 feet with many more in the parking lot getting ready to hike. Summer hiking is in full swing!