Day 7 on the Wonderland Trail began wet. It rained hard during the night, giving us the true Pacific Northwest experience. Our tents were not going to dry out before we started hiking, so they went on the outside of our packs. Thankfully the rain had stopped, but we were shrouded in a mystical fog, apropos considering our destination: Mystic Lake.
At only four miles, this day was so short it almost felt like a zero day, and we weren’t complaining.
The Route
Leaving Dick Creek, the trail climbs steeply at first, then gradually until the 2.5-mile mark, and then we had a gentle downhill to Mystic Lake. There were no views during the hike as far as we could see, thanks to the fog. On a clear day we should have had some glimpses of Carbon Glacier and Mount Rainier.
The campground is about another quarter mile beyond the lake. We set up camp and hung our tents and wet clothes to dry in the sun, which was peeking out through the clouds. While our gear dried, we hiked back up to Mystic Lake for a lazy lunch and a dip in the water.
Highlights
Mystic Lake
The sun was warm. The water? Not so much. The cold water soothed and rejuvenated our muscles, and surprisingly we had very few mosquitoes.
Mystic Lake Patrol Cabin
After swimming, we headed up the hill to the Mystic Lake Patrol Cabin, which is worth the side trip for the views of Mount Rainier.
Where to Stay
Mystic Camp has seven campsites and one big group site with its own pit toilet, and it sits about a quarter mile past the lake. With a short day and sun to dry our gear, it was an easy place to settle in. Back at camp we napped, read and generally lazed about: almost a zero day.
Food & Water
Water is available from a nearby creek. We ate a lazy lunch on the shore of Mystic Lake while our gear dried.
Practical Notes
- Short day: Only 4 miles, so you can arrive early and have the afternoon to rest, swim and dry gear.
- Climb: Steep leaving Dick Creek, gradual until the 2.5-mile mark, then gentle downhill to the lake.
- Views: In clear weather expect glimpses of Carbon Glacier and Mount Rainier. We had fog.
- Camp location: The campground is about 0.25 miles beyond the lake, so the lake is a short walk back from camp.
- Swimming: The water is cold, but it felt great on tired legs.
- Wet tents: If the night was rainy, strap the tents to the outside of your pack and dry them at camp if the sun comes out.
The Day in Numbers
| Start | Dick Creek camp |
| End | Mystic Camp |
| Distance | 4.0 miles (6.4 km) |
| Moving time | 2 hours |
| Elevation gain | 1,521 ft (464 m) |
| Elevation loss | 557 ft (170 m) |
| Campsites | 7 individual sites plus 1 group site (pit toilet) |
| Side trip | Mystic Lake Patrol Cabin |
Originally hiked on August 11, 2019 with Derek and Jason.
Jeff has hiked and explored trails for over 50 years, covering everything from casual canyon walks to rugged multi-day Sierra routes. He started SoCalHiker.net in 2010 to document the trails he loves — and to make it easier for others to discover them.