Wonderland Trail-Part IV (Mount Rainier, WA)

2013.08.01-Golden Lakes Campground to Cataract Valley Campground (Day 6):

By Day 6, we could feel the warm bed and taste the Diet Coke meeting us at the finish line. However, we still had a lot of miles to go. It didn't hurt that the walk down to South Mowich River was crowded with wet foliage either by morning dew or the rain from the night before. Then came the 2.9 mile 2,100 foot climb up to Mowich Lake in a mist. It was the type of weather Seattle is well known for, yet we hadn't experienced all week. Our luck ran out inspired us to make the final push and finish a day early.

Mowich Lake was our second food drop. Like before, we took all the high protein and carb items. My favorite were the tortillas, not the same as grandma's, but a reminder of home. The facilities there had a concrete floor, real toilet paper, and a roof. We talked to some of the hikers out for day hikes and some spending the night here. In reality, we were killing time, because our original campsite for the night was Eagles Roost, only 1.8 miles away. It was pretty much decided when we left Mowich we weren't staying there. Instead, we would push another 4.7 miles and get over to Cataract Valley. 

We pass Eagles Roost without giving it a second thought and stop at the Spray Falls trailhead. Here we found about 10 backpacks lining up the trail from a boy scout troop. There is an unspoken code that everybody's backpack is sacred and one is not to disturb another's backpack. It is like a motorcycle at a motorcycle rally. It is good to admire, but hands off. This is why we paid no mind to dropping our packs and going down to Spray Falls without fear of our packs getting stolen. Besides they are heavy and if somebody can run off with mine and theirs, it would be a relief of sorts. Maybe for a double dawg dare. 

Spray park is known for a huge cascading waterfall that sprays everyone. Today, it only added to the wet caused by the mist. As a matter of fact, we were warned about the trek ahead. Still we were determined to move on. 

The afternoon climb had us climbing another 1500 feet. For the day, we started at a low point of 2,600 feet and will surpass the high point of about 6,400 feet. More importantly, we walked through a fog that hid Rainier creating an eerie distance with our friend.  

Maybe even more eerie is the flowers in bloom in high altitudes with snow only feet away. We had noticed it before, yet somehow today it was surreal. They came across very green and crisp and healthy.

I may have mentioned before that above 6,000 feet there is snow and more than likely, we will walk across some. Today was no exception. When we got over the high point, we had to follow boot steps in the snow downhill.  Normally, this wasn't a big deal, except for the mist that hindered our vision. At one point, it felt like we were entering the abyss because we were surrounded in white. This could be a preview of heaven, but something tells me, I have not punched my card just yet. It was good when we were descended to an elevation below the clouds and get back to the land of the living.

We make it to Cataract Valley to find it empty except for us. We take a site close to the stream and bear pole. That night we had Mountain House's Chicken and Rice and warm tea. It was going to be a cold night, but we only had one more day!

Total Trail Miles hiked on Day 6: 16.30 miles (75.20 miles total)
Total Blogged miles: 198.37 miles.

2013.08.02-Cataract Valley Campground to Sunrise (Day 7):

Today, was going to be a good day! How could it not be? It was the day we complete our circle around Mount Rainier. The number of miles didn't matter nor how long it would take. This is it! I felt it in my bones that morning. Or was that the chill from the mist. Either way, we packed our tents for the last time on this trip and started our hike to Sunrise.

First up, we walked the 1.6 miles down to Carbon River for our second suspension bridge crossing. This one is not as long and not as high, but I still wouldn't recommend being reckless. Just walk down the middle and stay calm. Ignore the missing board and keep going. Everything is going to be alright.

Across the river was the start of our first climb for the day. It was about 1800 foot, with an elevation of 3,200 at the bridge to about 6,000 about a half mile before Mystic Lake. What would  a day be without a nice climb in the morning? By now, we were used to the pain. 

What we weren't expecting because of our conversation with the Rangers on our first day was this big golden brown black bear to be strolling down the trail. I was straggling in the back, looked up and there he was 30 feet from our point man. I tried to be calm in alerting him and then he ran back to the two of us and we got in a line. Mr. Bear didn't seem bother, but we were terrified. When he kept coming, we blew our whistles and our middle man had the bear spray at the ready. He didn't seem aggressive and was probably annoyed at the loud sounds. Either way, he strolled down the hill and allowed us to pass. For the next mile or so, we blew our whistles and I kept looking back for the next couple of hours. Just in case, our new friend had a taste for plump Mexican food.

Fleeing the bear, the hike up to Mystic Creek didn't seem so tough. Just wish some of this mist and clouds would burn away. We got a few looks at Rainier, more than yesterday, but far less than the days before. Mystic Creek was our camp for the night and the thought did come to me to just drop my pack and pop up the tent. However, we had cheese burgers, diet coke, and a warm bed waiting. Plus, the car being the magnet in the east was getting stronger.

Yet again, we had one more climb to make. At the valley between Mystic Lake and Granite Creek, the low point was at 4,600 feet to 6,700 feet about 1.5 miles from Sunrise. It was our last Hurrah! 

We reunited with a couple we met at the other end of or our hike. That was neat as it was our first and only reunion with someone we met before. I gave a few thoughts about all those other hikers we met and where they are on their journey. 

Now is probably a good time for a retrospective. The wonderland Trail is simply amazing. At the beginning, it looked like a regular wide trail that can be found in any other park. Then the climbs and the mile high meadows and it took me somewhere else. We went from green to white, then back to green while never being far from water. Water in streams, falls, lakes, mist, or clouds. Maybe it was also the animals like the chipmunks, marmots, deer, and bear that seemed oddly friendly. Or the people, that were so willing to share. Everyday, we experienced something different in this natural amusement trail. All we had to do was walk. 

We met a family that does Youtube videos at the top of Skyscraper pass and they tell us that the view here is the best in the park, but we can't see much today. They just started and with the 6 or 7 children, I believe it is going to be a fun trip. Well, at least for the kiddos. 

A ranger stood at the intersection of several trails, and we knew we were very close. We had a mile and a half to go and the visitor center was closing at 6pm. Despite the pain, I was motivated to move and get there before we close so that we can pick up our benchmarks we had on reserve. Also, the restaurant was closing at 7 and those cheeseburgers were smelling good. 

When we saw the car, we knew we were there! I slowed my pace and we all gave high 5s. Boy we've come a long way to get back here and it looked awesome! The visitor center was open and we got our souvenirs. Then we headed to the restaurant where they were closing. Turns out, instead of throwing their food away, they gave it to us for free. What a reward! 

Total Trail Miles hiked on Day 6: 14.80 miles (90.00 miles total)
Total Blogged miles: 213.17 miles.