Mowich Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mowich Lake |
|
|---|---|
| Crater Lake (former) | |
 |
|
 Mowich Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Mowich Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, US |
| Coordinates | 46°56′19″N 121°51′41″W / 46.93872°N 121.86149°W |
| Primary outflows | Crater Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 118 acres (0.5 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 4,929 ft (1,502 m) |
Mowich Lake is a beautiful lake located in the northwestern part of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. It sits high up in the mountains, about 4,929 feet (1,502 meters) above sea level! The name "Mowich" comes from an old Native American language called Chinook Jargon, and it means "deer."
Contents
Visiting Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake is a popular spot for visitors, especially during the summer.
Getting There and Camping
To reach Mowich Lake, you'll travel about 17 miles (27 kilometers) on an unpaved road. This road usually opens for vehicles in mid-June or early July, depending on the snow.
Mowich Lake is also a busy place for camping in the summer. There are 30 special spots where you can walk in and set up your tent. These spots have bathrooms, tables, and trash bins, making it a comfortable place to stay overnight.
Exploring the Area
From the Mowich Lake campground, you can start many exciting adventures! Hikers can connect to the famous Wonderland Trail, which goes all around Mount Rainier. You can also hike to other beautiful places like Eunice Lake, Tolmie Peak, Spray Park, and Spray Falls.
Around Mowich Lake, you'll see amazing nature. There are very old, tall trees called old-growth trees, sparkling waterfalls, clear creeks, tall cliffs, and meadows full of colorful wildflowers. It's a great place to explore and enjoy the outdoors!
Fishing at the Lake
If you like to fish, Mowich Lake might not be the best spot. There aren't many fish here because the lake is not regularly stocked with new fish. Also, there aren't many good places for fish to lay their eggs and start new families naturally.
Why the Name Changed
Mowich Lake wasn't always called Mowich Lake!
In 1883, a geologist named Bailey Willis first named this body of water Crater Lake. He thought the lake was formed inside a volcanic crater. However, later on, another scientist named I. C. Russell studied the area and realized that the land was actually shaped by ice moving and carving out the landscape, not by a volcano. Willis agreed with this new idea.
To avoid confusion with the very famous Crater Lake in Oregon (which really is in a volcanic crater!), people suggested changing the name. The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) officially named it Mowich Lake in 1919. Even though the lake's name changed, the stream that flows out of it is still called Crater Creek.]
