Camp Details, Day 3: Mowich Lake vs. Eagle's Roost
Camp 3: Mowich Lake/Eagle's Roost
Tuesday, Day 3: Golden Lakes to either Mowich Lake Camp or Eagle's Roost Camp
Resuming where you left off...
Folgen! Schweinhundt!
As I was saying, resuming the Chinese Democracy post in 4 parts we reach side 2, also known as the Lakes Mix, whereby we reach Camps 3 and 4 at Mowich Lake and Mystic Lake, respectively. Sure, we just left Golden Lakes, but b/c I had to abort my otherwise epic post 1/4 of the way through lest I get my ass kicked by the wife, it got lumped into Side 1. Gotta problem with that? Didn't think so.
Update: since I really sort of hate Axl, I'm dropping the Chinese Democracy metaphor in favor of some bizarre Castle Wolfenstein flashback. Enjoy!
As anyone who's watched The Princess Bride can tell you, Mowich and Wove - twue wove - are important as long as you have the wing.
But I digress. Continuing on from Golden Lakes we reach the Mowich Lake camp, also home to cache #1 at the Mowich Lake Ranger Station. If we plan accordingly we should be able to reach the station in time to secure said cache in the afternoon of Day 3, permitting us an early departure on Day 4. But I digress again. Between Golden Lakes and Mowich Lake lay 10.2 miles of dense forest and enough up and down to make you think you're in Mr. Miagi's driveway. But I digress again.
Note: it will be fairly crucial to pickup our cache in the afternoon of Day 3 in order to facilitate an early departure for the 13 miles to be traveled on Day 4. I'll get hard info from the Ranger Station regarding their anticipated hours in mid-September and update.
Once again our friends at Yahoo Travel offer some low-hanging insight into this relatively accessible and popular campsite; while scenic, it's not exactly remote.
That's cool. Presumably we'll be pleased enough to pickup our caches, ditch er recycle our refuse and settle in at one of the more scenic lakes on the WLT.
As before, it's a more frequented area and will be the least "primitive" camp we'll make along the route. As these peeps attest, it sounds akin to hiking into Round Lake in the MHNF:
Sure. Again, presumably mid-week in mid-September will work in our favor.
Camp Details:
Elevation: 4929'
Elevation gain to camp: 2524'
Elevation loss to camp: 2725'
Distance from previous camp (Camp 2: Golden Lakes camp): 10.2 miles
Near side camp: South Mowich River Camp. 6.2 miles from Golden Lakes camp; 3.4 miles short of Mowich Lake Camp
Far side Camp: Eagle's Roost Camp. 12.0 miles from Golden Lakes camp; 1.8 miles past Mowich Lake Camp
Notes: the trail starts to get "easier" from here
Unfortunately my computer is geebing, it's getting late, and again I risk getting my ass kicked. I'm starting to understand why it's taken Axl - and China, for that matter - so long to get Chinese Democracy to the masses. Will pick up where I left off again tomorrow - MCL out.
Updated: more discouraging information regarding the popularity of Mowich Lake:
Was ist das? Kaput!
Camp 3a: Eagle's Roost
Signpost just past Mowich Lake Station on the popular Spray Park Trail
Note: regardless of our Day 3 Camp we will indeed take the Spray Park Trail alternate route to Carbon Creek, either at the end of Day 3 en route to Eagle's Roost or at the beginning of Day 4 en route to Mystic Lake.
An alternate camp potentially at our disposal is 1.8 miles further along the trail towards Spray Park at Eagle's Roost, which is a smaller camp and possibly more secluded. This would necessitate reaching the Mowich Lake Station prior to it's close for the day to retrieve cache #1, which should be relatively "easy" considering the "mere" 10.2 miles needed to reach said station from Camp 2 at Golden Lakes. Assuming we reach the station in time to pickup our cache, we can make a decision based upon how key and how crowded Mowich Lake turns out to be as to traveling the 1.8 additional miles to Eagle's Roost Camp.
Spray Falls as seen from near Eagle's Roost Camp
Interestingly, the MRNP lists Eagle's Roost as one of only two camps (the other being Cataract Falls) designated as a wilderness camp on the Wonderland Trail. This distinction isn't very clear, but seems to suggest that were we to include this camp in our itinerary that a Wilderness Permit would be required. As we're applying for one anyway, it's likely not applicable though worth noting.
According to these hikers Eagle's Roost is a "nice camp" but "very far from water" which would suck if...it wasn't a mile or so from a really big waterfall. Perhaps I'm missing something there. I've also perused a few online book excerpts (omitted here) that suggest that Eagle's Roost may also be relatively popular for those spending an overnight in the proximity of Spray Park, which has no other camps available other than Eagle's Roost and Mowich Lake. Since Spray Park is apparently among the more popular day & overnight destinations, it seems likely that Eagle's Roost may be just as frequented as Mowich but with only 2 campsites vs. Mowich's 30.
Lastly, regardless of where we camp we'll want to detour .2 miles to take in the vistas at Eagle Cliff, wedged in between Eagle's Roost and Spray Falls. You've seen pictures.
The view from Eagle Cliff of Mt. Rainier and the Mowich Glacier
Camp Details:
Elevation: 4885'
Distance from previous camp (Camp 2: Golden Lakes camp): 12.0 miles
Camp 4: Mystic Lakes to follow
Tuesday, Day 3: Golden Lakes to either Mowich Lake Camp or Eagle's Roost Camp
Resuming where you left off...
Folgen! Schweinhundt!
As I was saying, resuming the Chinese Democracy post in 4 parts we reach side 2, also known as the Lakes Mix, whereby we reach Camps 3 and 4 at Mowich Lake and Mystic Lake, respectively. Sure, we just left Golden Lakes, but b/c I had to abort my otherwise epic post 1/4 of the way through lest I get my ass kicked by the wife, it got lumped into Side 1. Gotta problem with that? Didn't think so.
Update: since I really sort of hate Axl, I'm dropping the Chinese Democracy metaphor in favor of some bizarre Castle Wolfenstein flashback. Enjoy!
As anyone who's watched The Princess Bride can tell you, Mowich and Wove - twue wove - are important as long as you have the wing.
But I digress. Continuing on from Golden Lakes we reach the Mowich Lake camp, also home to cache #1 at the Mowich Lake Ranger Station. If we plan accordingly we should be able to reach the station in time to secure said cache in the afternoon of Day 3, permitting us an early departure on Day 4. But I digress again. Between Golden Lakes and Mowich Lake lay 10.2 miles of dense forest and enough up and down to make you think you're in Mr. Miagi's driveway. But I digress again.
Note: it will be fairly crucial to pickup our cache in the afternoon of Day 3 in order to facilitate an early departure for the 13 miles to be traveled on Day 4. I'll get hard info from the Ranger Station regarding their anticipated hours in mid-September and update.
Once again our friends at Yahoo Travel offer some low-hanging insight into this relatively accessible and popular campsite; while scenic, it's not exactly remote.
Mowich Lake Campground lies in the northwestern corner of the park at
the end of State Road 165. (This 17-mile road is unpaved and not
recommended for trailers and RVs.) The facility consists of 30
undesignated, walk-in only campsites at an elevation of 4,950 feet.
Each site is available on a first come, first served basis. Amenities
at this site include chemical vault toilets, tables, refuse bin and
hiking trails. There are no RV hookups at this facility. No potable
water is provided at Mowich Lake Campground, all campers should filter
or boil water obtained on site. Fires are not permitted.
That's cool. Presumably we'll be pleased enough to pickup our caches, ditch er recycle our refuse and settle in at one of the more scenic lakes on the WLT.
As before, it's a more frequented area and will be the least "primitive" camp we'll make along the route. As these peeps attest, it sounds akin to hiking into Round Lake in the MHNF:
Arrival
Upon our arrival at the Mowich Lake campsite, we were greeted by loud 'eeep' sounds from the little rodents who live in the rocky hillside (pictured in the Mowich Lake Critter photo). A la Snow White, there were birds that would land on and eat out of people's hands. However, we chose not to engage in feeding the animals because it is our understanding that people should not feed wildlife.
Camping Area
The tent camping area is not exactly a car camping set-up. (Car camping is when a car is driven right next to the site where the tent is pitched.) Gear must be carried to the tent camping area across a level, cleared area that is about the length of a football field. There are 30 individual tent camping sites. Against a backdrop of towering pine trees, we pitched our tiny Kelty Zen tent.
Upon our arrival at the Mowich Lake campsite, we were greeted by loud 'eeep' sounds from the little rodents who live in the rocky hillside (pictured in the Mowich Lake Critter photo). A la Snow White, there were birds that would land on and eat out of people's hands. However, we chose not to engage in feeding the animals because it is our understanding that people should not feed wildlife.
Camping Area
The tent camping area is not exactly a car camping set-up. (Car camping is when a car is driven right next to the site where the tent is pitched.) Gear must be carried to the tent camping area across a level, cleared area that is about the length of a football field. There are 30 individual tent camping sites. Against a backdrop of towering pine trees, we pitched our tiny Kelty Zen tent.
Sure. Again, presumably mid-week in mid-September will work in our favor.
Camp Details:
Elevation: 4929'
Elevation gain to camp: 2524'
Elevation loss to camp: 2725'
Distance from previous camp (Camp 2: Golden Lakes camp): 10.2 miles
Near side camp: South Mowich River Camp. 6.2 miles from Golden Lakes camp; 3.4 miles short of Mowich Lake Camp
Far side Camp: Eagle's Roost Camp. 12.0 miles from Golden Lakes camp; 1.8 miles past Mowich Lake Camp
Notes: the trail starts to get "easier" from here
Unfortunately my computer is geebing, it's getting late, and again I risk getting my ass kicked. I'm starting to understand why it's taken Axl - and China, for that matter - so long to get Chinese Democracy to the masses. Will pick up where I left off again tomorrow - MCL out.
Updated: more discouraging information regarding the popularity of Mowich Lake:
When you arrive at Mowich Lake you'll likely find it to be a mob scene any day of the week. The lake itself is a popular destination with a camping area at the south end. Pass through the tiny township of brightly colored tents to find the trailhead. Descend steps to a junction with the Wonderland Trail.Resuming where you left off...
Was ist das? Kaput!
Camp 3a: Eagle's Roost
Signpost just past Mowich Lake Station on the popular Spray Park Trail
Note: regardless of our Day 3 Camp we will indeed take the Spray Park Trail alternate route to Carbon Creek, either at the end of Day 3 en route to Eagle's Roost or at the beginning of Day 4 en route to Mystic Lake.
An alternate camp potentially at our disposal is 1.8 miles further along the trail towards Spray Park at Eagle's Roost, which is a smaller camp and possibly more secluded. This would necessitate reaching the Mowich Lake Station prior to it's close for the day to retrieve cache #1, which should be relatively "easy" considering the "mere" 10.2 miles needed to reach said station from Camp 2 at Golden Lakes. Assuming we reach the station in time to pickup our cache, we can make a decision based upon how key and how crowded Mowich Lake turns out to be as to traveling the 1.8 additional miles to Eagle's Roost Camp.
Spray Falls as seen from near Eagle's Roost Camp
Interestingly, the MRNP lists Eagle's Roost as one of only two camps (the other being Cataract Falls) designated as a wilderness camp on the Wonderland Trail. This distinction isn't very clear, but seems to suggest that were we to include this camp in our itinerary that a Wilderness Permit would be required. As we're applying for one anyway, it's likely not applicable though worth noting.
Additionally, because the Carbon River Road is closed at to
vehicular access at the entrance, Ipsut Creek Campground is currently
being managed as a wilderness camp which means a wilderness permit will
be required to camp here and all wilderness regulations will apply. Fires, pets, bicycles and weapons are not permitted in the backcountry at Mt. Rainier.
...
There's more evidence about, including here, that Eagle's Roost may not provide any more solitude than Mowich Lake, and in fact might provide the opposite:...
Hikers doing the complete Wonderland Trail are limited to camping in designated camps only—the use of cross-country zones is not permitted.
...
The Wonderland Trail has eighteen trailside wilderness camps and three non-wilderness camps. Hiking from Longmire in a clockwise direction, they are:
...
There are two wilderness camps on the Alternate Route of the Wonderland Trail through Spray Park. They are:
- Eagle's Roost- 4,885 feet
- Cataract Valley- 4,620 feet
On Mount Rainier's north side is a very accessible and crowded area of alpine meadows known as Spray Park. Along the way, you'll pass the very popular Eagle's Roost campsite, then the turnoff to Spray Falls. Take the turnoff and go the short distance to the base of this waterfall for a cool blast before continuing the short remaining climb to Spray Park.The aforementioned Spray Falls are less than 1 mile from Eagle's Roost as far as I can gather, and would certainly account for the camp's popularity.
According to these hikers Eagle's Roost is a "nice camp" but "very far from water" which would suck if...it wasn't a mile or so from a really big waterfall. Perhaps I'm missing something there. I've also perused a few online book excerpts (omitted here) that suggest that Eagle's Roost may also be relatively popular for those spending an overnight in the proximity of Spray Park, which has no other camps available other than Eagle's Roost and Mowich Lake. Since Spray Park is apparently among the more popular day & overnight destinations, it seems likely that Eagle's Roost may be just as frequented as Mowich but with only 2 campsites vs. Mowich's 30.
Lastly, regardless of where we camp we'll want to detour .2 miles to take in the vistas at Eagle Cliff, wedged in between Eagle's Roost and Spray Falls. You've seen pictures.
The view from Eagle Cliff of Mt. Rainier and the Mowich Glacier
Camp Details:
Elevation: 4885'
Distance from previous camp (Camp 2: Golden Lakes camp): 12.0 miles
Camp 4: Mystic Lakes to follow
Help me, I've been trapped in a room surrounded by bricks!!! LOL.
How is the campsite at Eagle's Roost? It probably won't matter whether we're in a heavily used spot or not given that it's mid-September and mid-week, so we should probably err on the side of the purtiest location. I realize that this is fodder for your ammended post.
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