Knapsack Pass, Spray Park & Hessong Rock and Mount Pleasant — Monday, Aug. 5, 2024

We hiked clockwise from Mowich Lake up the Knapsack Pass trail looping around to the Spray Park trail. Clockwise is definitely the way to go because the trail between the lake and pass is quite muddy and steep in places. The trail begins directly to the left of the ranger cabin. The trail is quite easy to follow and gorgeous with lots of flowing water and loads of flowers. It is a really special area with impressive peaks and some snow above you. Once you hit the pass and start the big descent along the boulder field, it seems that the best route is likely more or less straight down to the tarn below. We ended up going more to the right and diagonally down, which required more route finding. Regardless, you’ll want GPS for this entire next section until you reach Spray Park. There is plenty of bouldering, scree sliding, and (easy) snow crossing here. You climb again up to Mount Pleasant with terrific views of Rainier and down over Spray Park. The descent to the park is steep with lots of loose dirt and rock under foot. We had this trail to ourselves from Mowich to Spray Park. Spray Park flowers are past peak, but it’s still lovely.