Spray Park, Hessong Rock and Mount Pleasant — Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024

Magnificent. This may be my favorite view of the mountain. A mid afternoon Sunday start meant I had the trail going up to myself, and grand views at the top in solitude.

See DK1998's trip report on 9/21/2024 for details on navigating from Spray Park up to Mount Pleasant. Today I hiked up to the saddle between Hessong and Mt Pleasant, walked a little further east toward Mt Pleasant, but stopped short at a perfect rocky perch overlooking Spray and Tahoma in 3D. Highly recommended.

Trail: Good shape. No snow as of October 6. A little muddy in places. The trail up Mt Pleasant was dry. I found it to be steep, but with good footholds and step ups. Poles were essential for me. Think the final push up Goat Mountain or Hannegan Peak in the North Cascades but with better footholds.

Road: Mowich Rd is long, no fun, and downright abysmal in sections. This is the price of admission for the splendor. I wouldn't bring a low clearance vehicle up that road.

Wildlife: Gray Jays and Pika meeps at the saddle. No bear sightings.

Stats: approx 7.5 miles round-trip and 2000 feet of gain. Quite reasonable for uncrowded views like this. 

Great fall hike on a clear day. I had previously hiked Spray Park on a thick foggy summer day with ghostly beargrass blooming all around. I now see what I was missing with the views!