Mowich Lake to Sunrise
Mowich Lake to Sunrise
2011
We debated whether to follow the official northern Wonderland Trail or the more commonly taken Spray Park alternate route that is higher and longer but gives more alpine country and scenery. After discussing it with many people we met on the trail, we decided to take the high route. We left early from Mowich Lake and within an hour or so were in Spray Park on a gorgeous clear morning. The bugs were manageable because of a breeze, and the scenery lived up to its reputation. It also lived up to the reputation for difficulty, but we reached the highpoint between Spray and Seattle Parks for lunch. Then came an extremely long, steep descent to the Carbon Glacier at right, where another smaller bridge took across the river. An unwelcome steep climb was required to reach Dick’s Creek, our camp for the night perched above the glacier.
The next day was our last of the hike, and a long one. We left early and hiked steeply up to Mystic Lake, then down to glacier-side again. One of the steepest sections was between us and the hike to Sunrise, so we pumped a fresh supply of water and began the switchbacks. Up we went thinking we’d have an early lunch at Skyscraper Pass, and while we did eat lunch there it wasn’t early. It is a spectacular location, with views in all directions including the one to the mountain at right. The lenticular cloud seen there was as cloudy as it got on our trip. From that point it was a few miles to Sunrise, the 93rd mile. We finished the last 20 yards with a run into the parking lot. We called Amy, but said we’d try our luck hitching a ride since there is no public transportation to Sunrise. Within 2 cars, we found 2 people driving back to Seattle who kindly gave us a lift to the Columbia City light rail station.
Nine days, 8 nights and we’d done it. With no rain and good spirits. A lifelong goal accomplished. We looked forward to fresh fruit and vegetable, but didn’t feel we’d missed out on calories. It was ~23,000’ gain (and same amount loss) over 9 days, so a climb of ~2,600’ average each day with full pack, which explains why we lost weight despite chocolate, nuts and dual portion freeze dried dinners. What are the chances of the both of us having 9 days free with perfect weather in the Northwest again? Not very high. Good thing we did it.
The Wonderland Trail, part 3 and home
10/12/11
I had never hiked the north side of Mount Rainier. It is harder to reach from Seattle and so less travelled, but give close-up views of Willis Wall and the large northern glaciers.
Click here for more photos.