We left Tacoma around 6:15am and got to the trailhead by 8am. The gravel road is long, but fine for any vehicle. There is a self-pay station a few miles up, no formal entrance to get into the park. We didn't have trouble finding parking just off the road outside the parking lot at Mowich.
The trail is in great condition. No issues to report.
We heard several other hikers mention bear sightings (one who had turned around because the bear was on the trail ahead of him). As we entered the meadow, Rainier was majestic in the background! As we turned a bend, another group said they had seen a family of bears just ahead, and we just caught a glimpse of a baby scurrying across the trail to catch up.
The flowers appear to be about a week past their prime, but there are still patches of full-bloom lupine and some paintbrush hanging in there. We meandered until we found a nice rock to rest on and enjoyed the view in all directions. There were a few mosquitos, but nothing like the swarms I've experienced there in prior years.
On the hike down, we stopped for a view of the waterfall, which didn't disappoint. At the parking lot, we saw people enjoying summer recreation on Mowich Lake -swimming, boating, paddle boards.
The cars stretched for quite a ways down the road, signaling that many people arrived after us. However, the trail itself was fairly quiet. Much nicer than the crowds at the more popular entrances!
Epic views and lovely day for a hike!
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