This hike starts out pretty flat for the first three miles and then starts climbing. All our hiking books seem to leave out the 2 miles of switchbacks after Dick Creek.

The climb is worthwhile because the wild flowers in Moraine Park are stunning. We arrived not long after most of the snow had melted in lower Moraine Park and hit the peak of the avalanche lily bloom.

We continued on to Mystic Lake and had lunch. I'd skip the lake and head over towards Willis Wall if I do this hike again, because the lake is pretty enough, but it doesn't really have a view of Rainier.

The mosquitoes were out in great abundance and proved once and for all that even though Herbal Armor makes you feel pretty good about yourself because you smell nice, it does little to deter mosquitoes. In fact, they seem to pause as if to savor the lovely meal they are about to enjoy before they dig right in.

On they way up, there was quite a traffic jam when we arrived at the suspension bridge over the Carbon River. 25-30 people were waiting to cross the one-person-at-a-time bridge. We turned downstream and crossed a log bridge instead.

Most people stop at the terminus of the Carbon Glacier, the lowest elevation glacier in the contiguous 48 states. I'm not so sure I'd hang out under the North Crags like they do - the trail is full of rocks that have fallen from above.

After the terminus, we only saw a few other people, including two camped at Dick Creek. One guy, carrying what looked like a very small pack and a towel, came running up the trail as we were heading down a few hours before dark. As quick as the weather can change around Mt. Rainier, I'd want something a little more substantial with me for an overnight trip.

The highlight of the day was seeing Mr. and Mrs. Marmot k-i-s-s-i-n-g in lower Moraine Park as we headed down.