Wonderland Trail Day 7: Dick Creek to Mystic Lake

Day Seven 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 the pack. Thankfully the rain had stopped, but we were shrouded in a mystical fog – apros pos considering our destination: Mystic Lake. 

This was so short, it almost felt like a zero day, and we weren’t complaining. Leaving Dick Creek, the trail climbs steeply at first, then gradually until the 2.5 mile mark, and 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’ve had some glimpses of Carbon Glacier and Mount Rainier.

The campground is about another 1/4 mile beyond the lake, so we setup camp and hung our tents and wet clothes to dry out in the sun which was peeking out through the clouds. While our gear dried out, we hiked back up to Mystic Lake for a lazy lunch and a dip in the water.

The sun was warm. The water? Not so much. The cold water soothed and rejuvenated our muscles. Surprisingly, we had very few mosquitos.

After swimming around in the lake, we headed up the hill to the Mystic Lake Patrol Cabin, which is worth the side trip for the views of Mount Rainier.

Back at camp, we napped, read and generally lazed about. Almost a zero day.

Mystic Camp has seven campsites and one big group site with it’s own pit toilet. Water is available from a nearby creek.

Dick Creek to Mystic Lake Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Download file: day-7-dick-creek-to-mystic-81119-85345am(cleaned).gpx

Originally hiked on August 11, 2019 with Derek and Jason.

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