Day 1 CCW: «Hello brother, where is all that elevation gain that we are supposed to achieve?»

The trip to Spray Park

We start from the beginning of the Sunen at 7:00 am and we find ourselves immediately with impressive views of Mount Rainier and the impressive colors of the alpine meadows. After spending Sunrise Camp in our first miles (the camp is not located on the FYI path), we find our first climb to the skyscraper pass. Looking back now, this was a mini climb, but instantly I had the same thoughts that I always have the first day of some walk … «What did I get in?» And «I trained enough for this?» I immediately answered myself in my head with «this is where I belong and it doesn’t matter what I am going to end this path.» All conversations inside my head aside, there was a great world to look at and pay attention while walking. We were consistently received with playful spots nibbling the colorful flowers. I like to think that the roses ate because they knew cherries.

Just after the dawn camp during our first climb

Marmot hungry and silly through the path on the road to Skyscraper Pass

After our first climb before the skyscraper pass with Mount Rainier at the bottom to the left

Skyscraper pass

After arriving at Skyscraper Pass, we started our descent to the Creek Granite camp and immediately enveloped us in the thick forest. The water had been super abundant, so each one chose to continue carrying only 1 liter. During this descent we finally find a couple of hikers. The path had been unexpectedly empty, which was a pleasant surprise! Once we arrived at the crossing at Winthrop Creek, the canopy opened and began to ascend again and we find incredible foreground views of Mount Rainier.

One of the many beautiful streams near Granite Creek Camp

Views close to Mount Rainier in our ascent after crossing Winthrop Creek

In the upper part of our ascent, we are in the beautiful mystical lake. This lake was my second favorite lake along the way. Lake Saint Andrew was my favorite, but that would not get to day 3. The Lake Mystic looked good enough to swim and complemented with lush meadows full of pink, yellow and purple flowers. This would be the last escalation for a while when we started descending through lush forests, alpine meadows and scree fields to the crossroads of the Carbon River bridge, passing the Dick’s Creek camp on the road.

Our itinerary requested 7,800 feet of descent and by the time we reached the crossing of the Carbon River bridge, not one, but both knees had a terrible pain. It is not unusual for my left knee to act, but the right? Are you teaching me?! I was upset and, to be honest, a little worried that as soon as my knees bother me. I walked strangely trying to avoid any excess pressure on any of them.

Up to this point we had descended a lot and our previous increases had been super moderate. The itinerary had asked for 6,100 feet of elevation gain for the day and with only 6.5 miles to go to the camp that we continue asking …

… «Where is all the elevation gain that we are supposed to hit?»

Beautiful mystical lake

Vista del Monte Rainier at the end of the climbing stairs after Lake Mystic

The beginning of our descent before Dick’s Creek camp

Entering Spray Park

After crossing the Carbon River bridge, we arrived at a crossroads with Carbon River Camp and the alternative route of Spray Park. We only had 6.5 miles of walking until Eagle’s Roost, so it had to be where we were going to compensate for all the elevation we lost. Unfortunately, the FAROUT application did not have an elevation profile for the alternative, only the main path, so we were asking these questions along the walk of the day. We took a look at the beginning of the climb and both were like … «Ahh, there it is!»

The climb was very steep! It started under the dense canop of the forest that continued to pass the Cataract Valley camp. The path finally opened in alpine meadows followed by Scree fields of large granite and rock rocks. The clouds were beginning to enter, cushioning visibility. I remember asking Debbie: «Should we continue?» He felt like a silly question because yes, we had to continue because we had no other place where to go. The fog thickened and when we began to approach large snowfields, navigation became challenging. I could not say if the snowfield in front of me had 100 feet wide or 100 miles. This slowed our rhythm considerably and we were both anxious to continue moving to maintain our high central temperatures and not freeze. All we could do was wait patiently for better visibility and follow the snow clues. We also ran into rock batteries with yellow paint that marked the road. Finally we reached the top, but I admit that this situation had me quite nervous.

Trapped in a cloud in the alternative alternative of Spray Park to the Eagle Roost camp

The snow and screen fields towards the upper part of the Rociado Park alternate on the road to the Eagle Roost camp

The clouds cleared as soon as we reached the top of the climb and a wave of relief and confusion took care of me. The views were spectacular! We had been alone all the time since we took the alternative route and had a spray park for ourselves. We both enjoy the warm sun and take the beautiful panoramic views of Mount Rainier, the neighboring mountains and the surrounding alpine meadows. During our descent to the camp, we were lucky to detect a single bear in the Prado. It was definitely a pleasure for all our effort.

The clouds are finally cleared at the top of our climb in the spray Park alternative that reveals incredible panoramic views

Happy and relieved at the top of the climb!

Spray Park and all its beauty!

Endless Alpine Meadows on the alternative spray park route

Downhill we go to the Eagle Roost camp on the alternative spray park route

Bachelor Bear saying «Hey»

Approximately 0.1 miles before arriving at the Eagle Roost camp, we take a short side path to visit Spray Falls. I was very close to the camp and we had time, so we thought we should see it. Not only was it beautiful, but also a great place for the reception of my Garmin reach. We arrive at the camp around 4:00 pm. There were a total of 7 sites. Site 6 was the winner, since it was the flattest and had a good stump and record for cooking and sitting. The close bathroom situation was strange. I have never seen only a bathroom in the forest without being locked in some type of refuge or latrine. That was when I humbly admitted my wild bath inexperience to myself. In a better note, we spent the rest of the day resting, raising our feet, Grubbin and listening to the sound of the owls. It was a great end for an epic day.

Aerosol Falls

Tocon and registration hobs on site 6 at Eagle’s Roost Camp

The night is installed in the Eagle puzzle camp

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