SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 – SPRAY PARK Green Trails Mount Rainier West Clear skies, cool fall morning, and Mount Rainier called! Dan and I met up in Enumclaw and he managed to get us to the Mowich Lake trailhead intact after the infamous 17 miles up the Mowich Lake road – gravel sections were better than the 5 miles of paved road! Leaving the trailhead in cool conditions, we headed on the Wonderland Trail toward Spray Park. At two miles, we sidetrailed it to Spray Falls, which was my first time viewing what has to be one of the worlds most heavenly locations – wow! A few hundred feet of cliffs carpeted with the waters of Spray Creek made for a real treat. We spent about an hour here to fulfill an assignment I needed to shoot, and then a slew of other photo shots. Somehow we managed to cross the creek about six times as we meandered our way ever closer up the steep gorge toward a close-up of the falls, and never fall in! Filled my boot once, however, as I forgot I was standing in rushing water and decided to kneel down for a better angle to a shot I was taking of Dan – ooops! We then headed up the steep climb to Spray Park, which was a treasure of meadow fall colors, blue sky, all accented by the towering volcano that we were a part of this day. Way up in upper Spray Park, a few ponds are nestled in among the Alpine Fir, Mountain Hemlock, and meadows of huckleberries turning red in a blaze of fall color. These were a huge hit for reflection-images of Mount Rainier with all of the rest of the stunning scenery, as no wind was blowing either. We finally did manage to drag ourselves off of the mountain and hike on back to the trailhead in late afternoon. But the temptation to just set everything down and stay up there for a week or more was hard to fight off on what was a heavenly day to witness this area! Of note still were large areas of gentians blooming all over the place above 5800’. All of the fuzzy marmots and pika were all snoozing apparently, as we didn’t see a single one of the critters. Alan L. Bauer 9/26/00

Decided to head up to Spray Park on this beautiful day. It was not too crowded at Mowich Lake nor were there too many people on the trail. I did meet three seperate parties making the trip around ""The Mountain"". The trail was in good shape considering the travel it gets. Passed through Spray Park and on up to the high point between Spray and Seattle Parks. There were a few small perennial snow patches at the far end of Spray Park but that was all. The views were great and included Stuart, Glacier and Baker. The flowers put on a great show and ""The Mountain"" needs no words. It was a great day full of great scenery and many photographs.

Arrived at the trailhead at 10 on this sunny Sat -parking areas not quite full yet, but getting there in a hurry. The bugs were out in force but not too bad for most of the way because of the breeze. Got as far as Seattle Park - the flowers are absolutely fantastic this year, an abundance and a diversity. Saw lots of folks with tennis shoes and no water - don't do it! Ditto the guy at the first meadow with the cell phone calling his friends to say hello. Otherwise, a perfect day, for people and for marmots.

The flowers are beginning to get very good here. Still strong on avalanche lillies, but many other species starting to make a splash. Several snowpatches across the trail following the big meadow under Mt. Pleasant, but nothing at all difficult to either cross or navigate, prior to the big semi-permanent one just past the 6400' high point (and that one is no worse than ""normal"" - just find the cairns on the opposite side).

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.