Spray Park Loop, Seattle Park & Carbon River to Ipsut Falls — Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

Did the Mother Mountain loop counter clockwise starting at Mowich Lake TH with an overnight stay at Ipsut Camp. The segment from Mowich up to Spray Park is packed full of wildflowers and minor annoyance from mosquitos. As others have reported, there are a couple of 100' long, simple and consolidated snowfields to cross but no traction was necessary. The segment into Seattle park and down into Cataract Valley was also in terrific shape. I was surprised how steep this segment is going down into Cataract and was glad to be headed counter clockwise. The segment along the Carbon River, across the suspension bridge and along the Wonderland to Ipsut Camp is in excellent shape and no bugs. It was a great night at Ipsut which was 3/4 full; typical of a Saturday night in August. The outhouses are getting hammered & pretty stinky but otherwise the camp is in great shape. Sunday AM, I headed up to Ipsut pass. The first two miles are a gentle ascent through the woods along Ipsut Creek. Then comes the final 1-1/2 miles to the pass which is talus/screen slope switchbacks which are pretty steep and rocky. However, I was spurred on by fantastic views, wildflowers, and perfectly ripe salmon berries and blueberries. The thimble berries are still ripening. With a belly full of berries, I reached the pass. And just like magic, the trail instantly becomes a gently sloping forest trail down to Mowich. This segment is so easy and clear, one could do it barefoot. All in all a great 26 hours in MRNP.

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