Did Spray Park Loop as an overnight, going clockwise and camping at Dick Creek Camp. We intended to do Tolmie Peak Lookout as a side trip, but turned back at Eunice Lake because of the crowds.
Crossing the angled bridge wasn't too difficult - water was running well under the bridge at 4pm and the handrail is sturdy. See photo for example of how we crossed.
Dick Creek Camp is a nice change from the bigger backcountry camps at Rainier, only two tent sites. And, beautiful views of Carbon River!
We were making dinner around 6:30pm when we looked up and there was a cinnamon bear less than 15 feet away from us and our tent! Never had a bear come right into camp before. The bear seemed startled to see us too and quickly dashed into the bushes after we made some loud noises. We looked down the hillside towards Dick Creek and saw the bear had two cubs with her, one brown and one black. Once they had crossed Dick Creek and were a safe distance away, it was so fun to observe the cubs play around the mom as they made their way down the trail (towards the Carbon River suspension bridge). Too close of a bear encounter in my opinion, especially with a mom with cubs, but I felt better knowing the bears left as soon they were aware of our presence and made no attempts to return to the camp area.
Sunday was uneventful, but beautiful. Gorgeous views and wildflowers in Spray Park.
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