Indian Bar - Cowlitz Divide — Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

This is a stunning hike and one to definitely not miss albeit it’s getting pretty late in the season.  I found the entire hike to be very enjoyable.  The woods are spectacular.  So serene with old growth trees that are just awe inspiring.  Once you arrive in the meadows your jaw drops again from the beauty of the yellowed sun dappled grasses with Mount Rainier towering in the background.  Then you descend down into Indian Bar and although you can no longer spot Mount Rainier you arrive at beautiful meadows, a waterfall gushing, and babbling streams.  It doesn’t get much better than this.  If you are overnighting and have a pick of the campsites Camp 2 is the best one in my opinion.  You have views and you get some sun.  Camp 1 & 3 aren’t bad either but if you can avoid Camp 4.  Depending on the wind direction you can smell the toilet and it isn’t a good smell.  Sunday night got pretty cold- the inside side of our Durston tent had frozen condensation.  So be prepared for cold nights.  The second night seemed much warmer but still chilly.   The basin is in shade about 4 pm and it starts cooling down significantly after that.  Like others have said and in the trip description you won’t come across water after Nickel Creek until you descend into Indian Bar so make sure to carry plenty of water.  You will be exposed to the sun once emerging from the trees.  I will caution we had an encounter with a bear.  We were crossing the bridge to exit camp with the group site on our right.  We startled I believe what was a second year cub.  There have been reports of a mother with two cubs.  The bear ran up a tree right in front of us.  Then the bear proceeded to come down the tree and come towards us as we were walking backwards.  I raised my arms, clanged my poles and shouted very loudly which did not deter him.  My partner had her bear spray in hand but fortunately the bear decided on its own to go down to the riverbed.  The bear poles have been taken down for the season.   Do not keep any food in your tent.  Cook away from your tent.  Either hang your food or bring a bear canister.  I have had a lot of encounters with bears over the years and this was the first one that didn’t scurry off or act indifferent to humans.  I pray this bear doesn’t become a problem bear.  I would hate for the bear (or humans) to get hurt.