Had a six hour block for a hike. Decided to attempt to get to Spray Park, since I've only been as far as the falls. Was at Enumclaw Starbucks at 5am, and actually hit the trailhead at 6am (I confess to a little Tokyo Drift on the Mowich Road, which added to the excitement of the drive, especially since I was driving through low clouds most of the time). Was so nice to burst through clouds and reach blue sky just before Mowich. Started on the trail, didn't see anyone all the way to the park. Quick side trip to the falls, definitely worth it this time of year. The last 3/4 of a mile to the park was pretty steep, but eventually came to open space. Wow. I live for those transcendent moments on the trail - why are they so fleeting? I hiked most of the way through Spray Park - you will wind up going back into the trees for a little bit, but don't worry, you will get to better views of the mountain. Some good rocks along the way to sit on and rest. Resist the temptation to follow the small dirt paths through the meadow - stay on the main trail. Eventually you can hike through to Seattle Park, but near the high point of Spray Park I hit some snow patches that I didn't want to deal with coming back, so I turned around. Sat on a rock for awhile, then the bugs found me. Transcendent moment ended at that point. Headed back, forgot about the last uphill part before the parking lot - ick. But perfect weather, solitude, and quiet. No wildlife spotted, lots of avalanche lilies in the park - I assume more colors will appear in a week or two. Trail portion took just over 3 hours; I was back in town by 10:30am.

A hearty group of 7 Mountaineers met at Mowich Lake CG at 8;30AM to do the 18 mile loop over Spray Park, down to Carbon River and back up over Ipsut Pass to Mowich. Great to emerge above the clouds on the drive in and see The Mountain in full cloudless sunshine! The trail to Spray Park was snow-free until about 6000'. Some wildflowers emerging but the glorious shows are still a couple of weeks away. Above 6000' we encountered patches, then 80% snow, then full snow cover. Most of the hikers who have been on the trail so far have obviously been climbers or skiiers, because when we followed the boot path we found ourselves well above the main hikers trail. Easily corrected by one of our group with a GPS, who guided us down the snowfields where we were able to find the trail emerging periodically between the snow patches. Funny, no boot tracks at all along the main trail, though once we worked our way back down we could see some cairns. Be sure to angle downhill as soon as you hit the 6400' mark, and bring a GPS with waypoints if you are going to try this trail in the next week or two! Snow became patchy again heading down Marmot Creek and Cataract Creek, very soft and some treacherous postholes. Trail not slippery though, and by half mile above Cataract the snow disappeared. Uneventful though a bit monotonous forest walk down to the Carbon River (7.5 mi or midway) where we encountered a sign instructing us to avoid the main trail to the west of the river and cross over the suspension bridge to take a detour down the east side of the river. (Suspension bridge is fun anyway!) Kudos to the rangers for all the new log bridges to cross the many branches of the river at the lower end of the trail! Nice awe-inspiring views upriver to the mountain and the Carbon Glacier - really illustrates the power of water! From there a flat, forested walk of about 1.5 miles to the junction with Ipsut Pass trail. Then a fairly beastly climb, steady for about 2.8 miles then steeply switching up the headwall. Trail hasn't been brushed out yet and some of the tread is very rocky toward the upper reaches of this section. Ipsut Pass is clear of snow, nice views north though can't see Rainier from there. From there it was a short 1.5 mile walk back to the parking lot, which we reached at 5:50PM, 9 hours - 18.4 miles - 5100 feet total elevation change. I wouldn't really recommend the loop - lots of elevation change and mileage for what is mostly a forest walk beyond Seattle Park. Just go up to Spray park and back for the best views and wildflowers!

Got to the Mowich Lake parking lot at road-end about 9 a.m. -- parking lot was already full. Not a trail to take for solitude, but what fabulous views from the meadows! Still a fair amount of long snow patches in the meadows, but no trouble navigating them at all. Don't quit at the lower meadows -- if you push a bit farther the trees disappear and you will have full-on unobstructed view of Mount Rainier. Lots of avalanche lillies, but the real flower show is probably about 10 days to two weeks away. Good news -- no BUGS (yet)! Lots of folks on the trail, many with skis. Do not skip the short side trail to Spray Falls about a mile and a half to two miles from the trailhead. The falls are awesome and running hard. Trail turns noticeably steeper after the falls as it switchbacks up to the meadows which begin in about 3/4 of a mile from the falls. Didn't notice this on the way in, but sure did on the way out -- there's a lot of uphill climb getting back to the campground and the parking lot between the waterfalls and the trailhead. Save some energy for your return trip.

Stunningly beautiful day to hike into Spray Park. Hiked to 6400FT, about 4.25 miles out from trailhead. There are still several snow traverses, the route is well blazed though and not much trouble to navigate. I used my Kathoola Microspikes on one of the crossings but think it could have easily been done without. Otherwise the trail is in good condition. Wildflowers are just beginning to bloom.

The road to Mowich Lake opened on Friday, 9 July, with the Springtime landslide across the road outside the Park completely cleared. The road is in very good shape. Be rady for non paved road 10 +4 miles , but solid with a lot of dust. Patches of snow at the higher tral,5500 feet. but melting fast. No snow on the trail until reaching lower Spray Park. At Spray Park, the trail crosses snow patches but is easy to follow. With warm weather expected to continue, much of the snow will be gone by next weekend. Lots and lots of avalanche lilies, and many louseworts in mid Spray Park. I took the side trail west towards Mt Pleasant-Hessong ridge, and climbed to the ridge. The approach to Hessong Rock. 6400 feet el. 8 miles.gain el.1700 feet.