Spray Park Trail
Spray Park has to be one of the most spectacular day hikes in the park, and has become such a draw that those circumnavigating Rainier on the Wonderland Trail often opt for the Spray Park route instead of the Wonderland Trail here.
Plan Around Spray Park Trail
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Spray Park Trail Details
Spray Park has to be one of the most spectacular day hikes in the park, and has become such a draw that those circumnavigating Rainier on the Wonderland Trail often opt for the Spray Park route instead of the Wonderland Trail here. The Spray Park Trail takes hikers by streams, snow patches, and a spectacular misty waterfall, and through meadows bursting with wildflowers come summertime. It's possible to see bear, deer, elk, marmots, and other creatures along this walk, and the close-up views of Rainier and some of the area's jagged peaks are unbeatable. The trail wanders through small stands of forest, but continually opens up for sweeping views. Take the mostly dirt and often bumpy Mowich Lake Road to the end, and look for the trailhead next to the restrooms, on the southwest side of Mowich Lake. From here, the trail drops .25 miles until it meets up with the Wonderland Trail, and then it travels east for two miles as it passes in and out of the trees, crosses Lee Creek, and then arrives at a junction with a spur trail to see the falls. Traverse the slide area and you'll soon end up at the falls in about .2 miles. Back on the main trail, the route passes in and out of trees, and through stunning wildflower meadows with Indian paintbrush, lupines, and bistorte, among others. If you carry on, you'll cross a rocky slide area, and begin to drop down through meadows, by streams, and back into a forested area. Trail stats: 6 miles; 1,300 feet of vertical gain; 4 hours.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
6 miles
Estimated time
4 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Spray Park Trail
Compare nearby parks around Spray Park Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Spray Park Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Spray Park Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Tolmie Peak Trail
This trail runs from Mowich Lake in the northwest section of the park through the forest to Eunice Lake and the Tolmie Peak Lookout.
0.0 mi away
Mowich Lake Campground
The campground at Mowich Lake, accessed via a bumpy, six-mile, unpaved road (State Route 165), has 10 walk-in sites for tents only.
0.1 mi away
Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake sits at 4,929 feet in the northwest corner of the park.
1.9 mi away
Tolmie Peak
Tolmie Peak, located 2 miles northwest of Mowich Lake in the northwestern corner of the park, rises up to 5,940 feet.
2.5 mi away
Route 165/Mowich Lake Road
Route 165 enters the park from its northwest corner before ending at Mowich Lake Road, a five-mile dirt road that leads to Mowich Lake and its campground.
