Braved the hordes of humans on Saturday for a quick and dirty overnight trip below Spray Park at Eagle Roost Camp. The lot at Mowich Lake looked like ""festival"" parking for some concert. The line of parked cars forced me back nearly 1/2 mile from the trailhead. Once at camp and settled in I headed up the Spray Park for sunset pictures and some solitude. I've come to the conclusion that the best, perhaps ONLY way to really enjoy these terminally popular places is by overnight backpack and evening hike. Trail conditions were immaculate as usual for this park trail with some water on the trail near the various stream crossings, nothing to warrant gaiters or even water proof boots. Was lucky enough to see the moon rise over the west side of the mountain early that evening into twilight. The low trajectory of upcoming full moon on Sept 25 will rise into view around 8:00 and should hang tenuously over the mountain for several hours. There may be no better place on Earth to watch it rise than Spray Park.

Mowich Lake to Mowich Lake via Spray Park, Knapsack Pass, First Mother. Departed the trailhead at 10:00 AM under clear blue skies and cool temperatures. Surface is damp in all areas. Still lots of running water! The climb up into Spray Park was pleasant with a cool breeze from the west. Flowers are pretty well burnt with exception of anemones. They are pretty healthy looking. Many fields are still under snow. I was amazed how many snow pockets remain on these open slopes. Some are very large, and still one die-hard patch on the south slope of MT Pleasant. The Park Service has done a lot of trail maintenance in this area, and is in very good shape. The cirque behind MT Pleasant and Knapsack Pass has more snow than I have ever seen, and I been visiting this area at least once a year for the past fifteen. Route is easily visible, but an ice axe is recommended. Encountered no snow on the route to First Mother. Summit register was there, but in need of replacement due to cracking from severe conditions over time. I especially enjoy reading the entries. The hike down to the lake was leisurely and very enjoyable. Melt ponds are full and streams are running. A great way to close a tour of the Park.

I died and went to heaven! This was one of those perfect hikes that you fantasize about all winter. The meadows are lush and full of flowers. The air was 70 degrees , slightly breezy and it was sunny all day. The trail is 99% snow free and in very good condition. I highly recommend taking a side trip to the ridges and peaklets just to the southeast of the trail's high point. There are great views of the north cascades including Baker, Glacier, Stuart, and of course Mt Rainier up close and personal. I suggest leaving yourself a few hours to wander around this area. The flies and mosquitos are moderate when the wind dies down but wearing a bug suit I didn't even notice them. The non-bugsuit people (ie everyone else) seemed to be rather hassled by them. Get there early to beat the heat and the crowds if you are going on a weekend.

Trail from Mowich Lake to Spray Park is muddy in spots so hiking boots recommended. Beautiful day until cloud cover hid Rainier for a few hours in the afternoon. By late afternoon cloud cover had gone and Rainier was out in all its glory. In meadows of Spray Park cited two bears. One up on the high meadows and one was very close to the trail. It is a black (brown) female at about 400 pounds but minded it's own business dining on whatever it could. Very photographic so be sure to bring your binoculars and a camera with telephoto lens. Upper meadows are beautiful. Great place to be this time of year. Enjoy.

This Monday found me in upper Spray Park instead of at work. Only encountered a few people on the trail, and only one party on the path towards Echo/Observation. Great views, still some flowers, one bear, a few orbitting horse flies, kind of hot above treeline, take lots of extra H20. [Online editor's note: Oh by-the-way Steve. Your boss called. Your fired.]