Northern Loop Day 2: Mystic Lake to Carbon River Camp

The second day of our Norther Loop Trail backpack is along the Wonderland Trail, from Mystic Camp to Carbon River Camp. This was about 5 miles with 400 ft gain/2,800 ft loss. We were glad this was a low mileage day as the wildflower fields were so beautiful, we were able to take our time and enjoy all the beauty around us!!! We only hiked 0.2 miles from the camp up to Mystic Lake to stop on eat breakfast, enjoying the views.

Wildflower field on the south side of Mystic Lake

This short 0.6 mile section of trail up to Moraine Park is divine? We love hiking through fields of wildflowers

elephanthead lousewort and lupine

paintbrush and lupine

beargrass, lousewort, bistort and starting to see Mt Rainier

pasqueflower going to seed

As the trail climbs, we begin to see more and more of Mt Rainier along with the wildflowers.

Easily to see why we took our time on this short section of the trail

At 6,000 ft, on the Wonderland Trail west of  Mystic Lake and the beginning of Moraine Park, is a boot track to this lovely mountain tarn.  

The next mile and half of the trail through Moraine Park was full of wildflowers.

enjoying this bit of hiker heaven!!!

Moraine Creek

crossing Moraine Creek through a rainbow, our entire trip was an enchanting adventure!!!

Moraine Creek further down the trail

Dick Creek on the trail, we were able to cross on rocks, has I did not want to cross on the wet logs.

butterfly on yarrow

The Carbon Glacier is massive! Here we heard both rocks falling of the glacier and large boulders tumbling down the river.

zoom of the snout of Carbon Glacier

stonecrop along the trail

we enjoyed some ripe thimbleberries

arnica, fireweed, foxglove and thistle along this rocky portion of the trail

lovely view looking up at the Carbon River emerging from beneath the Carbon Glacier

We didn't see this warning sign until we were below the glacier, as we never left the trail we were not in danger.

Suspension Bridge over the Carbon River leading to Carbon River Camp.

view of the Carbon River from the suspension bridge

On the trail we saw wintergreen,

and ate some ripe blueberries and

salmonberries.

We crossed Cataract Creek on our way into Carbon River Camp