Spray Park — Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022

This is one of our favorite hikes in the summer and avalanche lilies against the backdrop of majestic Rainier is the biggest draw. 

It's a longish drive from Seattle not because of distance but because most of it is on single lane highways, road constructions and last 15 or so miles on the forest service road which is totally passable but rough and dust kicked up from other cars makes visibility as low as few feet at times. This stretch is probably much harder for sedans than SUVs and trucks. We got to Mowich Lake trailhead at 9am and were concerned about the crowded trail since cars were parked up to half mile from the TH. However, Spray Park trail was not crowded at all and while we saw several individuals and small groups, they were few and far between.

The trail is well maintained and great shape and suitable for hikers of all abilities. The mountain was playing hide and seek due to passing clouds and we did not get the usual glorious glimpse from eagle roost viewpoint that we are used to but believe me it is there and when visible its jaw dropping good. Further up we skipped the side trail to Spray Falls to do later and head upwards towards Spray Park. This is the only somewhat harder section of the trails that takes you up all the way to meadows with few switchbacks. The trail is narrow and rocky in few places but nothing serious. Once you get into the meadow you start seeing the wildflowers and the mountain on the right.

Fortunately there was a slight breeze most of the way that kept the bugs away otherwise they are terrible this time of the year. The wildflowers were out in abundance - lupines, Indian paint brush, aster, penstemon, shooting stars and further up my favorite avalanche lilies. Sight of meadows full of wildflowers is so uplifting and never gets old no matter how often you have seen them. You can spend all day wandering around these meadows, enjoying the flowers and the glorious view of the mountain. There are plenty of spots to enjoy lunch while soaking in the beauty of nature. We went further up and crossed a couple of snow patches to get to the top where trail turns right towards Rainier and called it a day. You can go further and loop all the way to Mowich Lake (I believe it is about 18-mile loop).

On the way back we did take the side trail to Spray Fall which is a worthwhile destination. Please be careful when negotiating the rocks here as they can be slippery and a fall could be dangerous. Some people were crossing the water channel to go across for a better view and pictures, it is doable but calls for lots of caution.

If you go pack some patience for a dusty and bumpy last 15 miles, bring plenty of bug spray and sunblock and water though there are plenty of places to fill your water bottles if you have a steri-pen and or iodine tabs to purify it. And do bring a camera, the views and flowers are intoxicating.