Spray Park — Friday, Jul. 26, 2013

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

Another beautiful day to enjoy the bounty of wilderness in Washington State! Last minute decision to hike at Spray Park...took about 2 hours to reach the trailhead from the Bellevue area. Arrived at trailhead about 9:45am to find over 20 vehicles. Trail is in great shape, but lots of people on the trail. First amazing view is at Eagles Roost View Point, about 45 minutes into the hike...it is a little side trail to an overlook and view of Rainier. After view, we headed straight up to Spray Park. Trail gets steeper after passing cutoff trail to Spray Falls (we did this side trip on the way back...and totally worth it) Met a guy on the trail about 1/2 mile before entering the Park who said there was a black bear in the second meadow of the Park...we didn't see any bears on our trip. Entering the park is amazing...walk over a log bridge to a meadow of wildflowers and view of Rainier...the park is full of views and is easy get side tracked. After several side excursions, we headed up and up to fields of wildflowers, boulder gardens and views. There was some snow on the trail but nothing needing traction devices. Found a side excursion to a meadow of boulders, wildflowers and a straight on view of Rainier...ate lunch like we were in a post card setting. Flies were more out in the Park, but not nearly as bad as last weeks trip to Grand Park. Side note...this trail is up and down and down and up...nothing to steep but a good cardio workout too...I'll want to go back here in Autumn when the colors are changing!