Summer was in full force as July came and went trying to quickly run away and I hadn't ventured out for my first backpacking trip of 2013. Sad but true!!
I started my one night solo trek at Lake Mowich. The trail took me over Ipsut pass and down into the Carbon River valley.
Ipsut pass was full of wildflowers in full bloom with bumblebees and several species of butterflies zipping all around me. I felt a warm welcome from the park that day.
Once to the Carbon River I headed upstream then crossed the river on a detour as my planned trail was taped off due to trail erosion from the river. As I crossed the river my first eyeful of Mt Rainier sat in front of me!! Awe Inspiring!!
A mile up the trail a group of trail workers passed me by.
Soon I came to the swinging bridge but before I swung across I sat my pack down and hiked up another 1/2 mile to view the great Carbon Glacier.
The glacier was not what i thought it would look like. It was a dark gray color with weeds and plant life on top of it. I guess i expected more of a white snow color. The glacier was huge with the Carbon River raging out from under the glacier. It was awe inspiring to encounter. The river valley which I had been hiking up was now fully understood as i could see how such valley could be formed by the juggernaut Carbon Glacier.
Back down to the trail i crossed over the swinging bridge which crossed over the carbon river. I pasted the carbon river camp knowing it would be very popular with the wonderland trail hikers and settled down in Cataract valley camp. I had the whole campsite to myself. The camp was pleasant with a large creek running through the middle of it and plenty of trees for my hammock. A full meal of Bear Creek Potato Soup (just add h2o) and i was in bed and sound asleep. Just over 10 miles all in all!!
Lake Mowich Lake part two is coming soon!
Soon I came to the swinging bridge but before I swung across I sat my pack down and hiked up another 1/2 mile to view the great Carbon Glacier.
The glacier was not what i thought it would look like. It was a dark gray color with weeds and plant life on top of it. I guess i expected more of a white snow color. The glacier was huge with the Carbon River raging out from under the glacier. It was awe inspiring to encounter. The river valley which I had been hiking up was now fully understood as i could see how such valley could be formed by the juggernaut Carbon Glacier.
Back down to the trail i crossed over the swinging bridge which crossed over the carbon river. I pasted the carbon river camp knowing it would be very popular with the wonderland trail hikers and settled down in Cataract valley camp. I had the whole campsite to myself. The camp was pleasant with a large creek running through the middle of it and plenty of trees for my hammock. A full meal of Bear Creek Potato Soup (just add h2o) and i was in bed and sound asleep. Just over 10 miles all in all!!
Lake Mowich Lake part two is coming soon!
