FKT: Barrett Gray - Mt Rainier Northern Loop - Spray Park Figure 8 (WA) - 2024-08-16

I started at 6:19 AM from Mowich Lake in some thick fog that never fully lifted. I did this loop a day earlier than planned because I was worried about being caught in some late thunderstorms on Saturday, and while Friday had no rain, I was in the clouds for most of the day and that first descent had lots of wet brush which got me pretty soaked anyways. Sadly I didn't get any views of Rainier but the clouds moved higher at some points and the meadows and rivers and flowers were still beautiful! I started out CW on Spray Park, which means I ran the Northern Loop CCW. This is how previous people had run it and I do think this is the faster way on the Northern Loop because you go up the more technical sections of trail and get some cruisy downhills. Doing it this way does mean you're left with a brutal 3500 ft climb up to Spray Park near the end though which felt like it would never end, but there was a little bit of downhill and some rolling terrain for the final miles. Running the other way has a slightly shorter climb at the end, but it is right at the very end. So it's hard to say which way is faster and it's not an easy finish either way. Being in a cloud all day meant it stayed cool - temps were in the high 40s when I started and were in the mid 50s for most of the day. Water sources were abundant but there were some stretches without water on the long ascents/descents, so make sure to fill up before those especially if it's a warmer day. Overall I was really happy with how this went! I ran this as a big effort leading up to a 100 mile race and practiced good fueling and minimal stopping. This is an awesome route that combines a couple classic Mt. Rainier loops. Would love to see more women go after this!