"Mount Rainier National Park - Washington... " a Mount Rainier National Park Travel Page by George_Close

Mount Rainier National Park encompasses 235,625 acres on the west-side of the Cascade Range, and is located about 100 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Mount Rainier National Park is approximately 97 percent wilderness and 3 percent National Historic Landmark District and receives approximately 2 million visitors per year.

At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range. It dominates the landscape of a large part of western Washington State. The mountain stands nearly three miles higher than the lowlands to the west and one and one-half miles higher than the adjacent mountains. It is an active volcano that last erupted approximately 150 years ago.

The park is part of a complex ecosystem. Vegetation is diverse, reflecting the varied climatic and environmental conditions encountered across the park’s 12,800-feet elevation gradient. Approximately 58 percent of the park is forested, 23 percent is subalpine parkland, and the remainder is alpine, half of which is vegetated and the other half consists of permanent snow and ice. Forest ages range from less than 100 years old on burned areas and moraines left by receding glaciers to old-growth stands 1,000 or more years. Some alpine heather communities have persisted in the park for up to 10,000 years.

Species known or thought to occur in the park include more than 800 vascular plants, 159 birds, 63 mammals, 16 amphibians, 5 reptiles, and 18 native fishes. The park contains 26 named glaciers across 9 major watersheds, with 382 lakes and 470 rivers and streams and over 3,000 acres of other wetland types. Of these vertebrates, there are 4 federally listed threatened or endangered species known to occur in the park, including 3 birds and 1 fish. Four other species historically occurred in the park, but their present status is unknown including: gray wolf, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, and Chinook salmon.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
Distance, round-trip: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 1300 feet
Hiking time, round-trip: 4 hours
Wilderness camps: Eagle's Roost

ALONG THE TRAIL:
Spray Park and Falls were likely named in 1883 by a trail construction crew who noted how the cascading water of the falls broke "into a mass of spray."

TRAILHEAD LOCATION:
The trail descends .25 mile to a junction with the Wonderland Trail. Follow the Spray Park Trail east for two miles, up and down forested terrain, across Lee Creek and eventually to the junction with a spur trail to view Spray Falls. The next half mile to the first meadows of Spray Park is a steep climb up a series of switchbacks. More extensive meadows are found in another half mile.

BACKPACKING:
The subalpine meadows of Spray Park are delicate and easily damaged. Please hike only on the constructed trails and rest on rocks near the trail. Try to minimize your impact on this fragile environment so that it remains beautiful.

Open forest predominates for most of this hike. 1.5 miles from the trailhead, Eagle's Cliff overlook offers a spectacular view of Mount Rainier and the Mowich Glacier. Later, a short spur trail leads to a good view of Spray Falls. During the height of summer, the flowering meadows of Spray Park rival the beauty of any in the park.

The trailhead is located on the southeast side of Mowich Lake walk-in campground at the end of the Mowich Lake Road.

Eagle's Roost Camp is located in open forest near Spray Falls. A trip to view the falls at sunset is well worth the effort! Permits are required for camping. Permits and current trail conditions are available park-wide from Wilderness Information Centers, Ranger Stations, and Visitor Centers. Treat water before drinking. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
Distance, round-trip: 8.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1500 feet
Hiking time, round-trip: 4 hours
Wilderness camps: Yes

The trail ascends gradually through mature forest for several miles before entering the open but brushy upper valley of Fryingpan Creek where hikers find good views of Mount Rainier. Shortly after crossing the creek at a small cascade, the trail climbs steeply for another .5 mile before reaching the open subalpine meadows of Summerland. This is one of Mount Rainier's most crowded trails, hosting several hundred hikers per day on a nice summer weekend.

Please hike only on the constructed trails and rest on nearby rocks. Minimize your impact on these fragile meadows so they remain beautiful.

Avid climber and explorer E. S. Ingraham named this area during one of his many mountain visits.

ALONG THE TRAIL:
The variety of subalpine wildflowers, panoramic views of Mount Rainier and Little Tahoma, and frequent sightings of mountain goats and elk herds make this hike extremely popular.

TRAILHEAD LOCATION:
Drive through the White River Entrance and proceed three miles to a parking area near the Fryingpan Creek bridge. The trailhead is across the road. Parking space is limited and fills early on sunny summer days. Have an alternate hike in mind in case parking space is not available.

BACKPACKING:
The campsites at Summerland are some of the most popular in the park and often fill early on summer weekends. The sites are to the left in a grove of trees as you enter the meadow. Permits are required for camping. Permits and current trail conditions are available park-wide from Wilderness Information Centers, Ranger Stations, and Visitor Centers. Treat water before drinking. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails.