Spray Park is in full fall color. If you can get up there before the snow comes and the road to Mowich is closed, I highly recommend it.
I left Tacoma around 8a and arrived at Mowich just after 9:30a. The lot was packed -- most folks going to Tolmie Peak. So, add in some time to walk the road to the trailhead. Don't forget to bring your park pass, or pay the fee coming in, NPS is issuing citations for those who don't.
The road to Mowich is bumpy as ever, but I've been on much worse. Trucks and high clearance vehicles will be just fine, everyone else take care because there are some pretty deep potholes.
It was 38 degrees when I arrived, and didn't get too much warmer as I climbed up to Spray Park. But the switchbacks will warm you up, and the sunshine at Spray Park kept me comfortable. It was all about the layers!
Take the time to explore the spurs: Eagles Roost overlook, and Spray Falls. Eagles Roost has the most incredible views of the mountain and the glaciers. It's just 1000 feet off the trail, and totally worth it. And Spray Falls is fabulous -- the best views are across the river, and the only way across is a slippery piece of a log, so take good care crossing. If you're not too sure on your feet, I don't recommend crossing.
The switchbacks start right after the spur to Spray Falls, and it's a good half-mile workout. I didn't think they were too steep -- I recently did Florence Peak on Rainier and this seemed like a cakewalk in comparison. But it is challenging -- the views at the top are worth it, though. This was a solo hike, and I have a fast pace so I made it up in about an hour and twenty minutes.
Spray Park itself was a wonderland, crisp autumn colors in the meadows and tiny bits of frost and ice on the trail, a small sign that winter is coming! The view of the mountain is magnificent. I saw lots of folks finishing up their Wonderland trips, and about 20-25 day hikers along the way. If you go early you'll have the trail mostly to yourself, things pick up quite a bit late morning. And I saw many people starting as I was nearing the parking lot at around 1:30.
I consider the meadows of Mt. Rainer to be the main event, and I gravitate toward hikes that take me through the many sweeping parks. They're generally not easy to get to, but I always consider the journey well worth it. When you get to Spray Park find a rock to sit and have lunch, with views of the greatest show on Earth.
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