Mowich Lake

Some of the best views of Mt Rainier can only be found at the foot of the mountain. From the northwest corner of the park there are two inlet roads that provide access. One to Iuput Campground and the other to Mowich Lake Campground. they are both 'rustic' meaning no water and pit toilets. clean pit toilets w/ hand sanitizer and plenty of tp but pit toilets. Becca and I spent two days hiking near Mowich lake. yesterday was a 3 hour hike up to Eunice lake, 600 ft elevation gain. the kicker is the last half mile. the trails blaze wide through forests of 80 year old pines, and narrow along exposed rocky areas. Today I went alone up to Spray falls and Spray meadow a little ways above. the view was wonderful. to the southwest Mt Rainier stood beyond a small ridgeline. the cap is bright white, unlike the view from Puyallup, which is a hazy grey yellow in the sunset. the glaciers are also in sight. dirt and rock mix with snow. it was a drought winter and it is late summer. lots of rock visible. the sun was bright, air cool but warm.