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WHIDBEY ISLAND  WASHINGTON  USA

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MORAINE PARK

     Take a hike on the cold north side of Mount Rainier National Park.  View close-up, the lowest elevation glacier in the 48 states.  And climb from deep forest to the edge of rock and ice in a frightfully short time.  If all that sounds appealing to you then the trip to Moraine Park is for you.  The trail begins at Ipsut Creek and climbs slowly along the Carbon River to the bridge crossing just below the terminus of Carbon Glacier.  From there the trail to Moraine Park begins a very steep, rocky ascent between the glacier and the jagged Northern Crags.  Be on the lookout for rockfall.  This has to qualify as the steepest trail in the Park.  It is relentless.  But the constant view to the right, of the glacier, and across into Seattle Park, then upward to the Grand Old Mountain is so rewarding that the toil of the ascent is well worth it.
     After entering the meadows the trail moderates then abruptly mounts Lower Curtis Ridge then drops into the Mystic Lake Basin.  Great side trips include a climb beside the Carbon Glacier all the way up Curtis Ridge to the base of Willis Wall.  This is another of the climber's routes.  A great loop hike can be made back to Ipsut Creek by way of Berkeley Park, Lake James, and Windy Gap, but watch out for the climb up to Skyscraper Pass, it seems to climb forever.  But my memory of that climb may be tainted by fatigue.  The last time I climbed Skyscraper Pass it was on a hike from Carbon River Camp to Sunrise, IN 12 HOURS!  I would NOT recommend that one.
     Any trail in Mount Rainier National Park is worth the effort required.  Drink a lot of water on this ascent though.  I have been affected by dehydration twice on this trail and it is a miserable feeling.  That is probably the single reason this trail fits the STRENUOUS HIKES category.  Happy hiking.