Elly, Angel, and Tim quickly caught up with us, and it made for cheery conversation to catch up with them. Master the Art of the Car Shuttle. Mount Rainier National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map), Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland Map. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. The patrol cabin is located at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. When we arrived, Rachel was soaking her feet in the creek and she shared that two humongous blisters were troubling her. Length: 93 miles Elevation gain/ loss: 22,000 ft (23,000 ft with the Spray Park Alternate) Time to complete: 9-12 days (we completed in 6.5, some people do it in 3 days!) Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. One-armed blind folks can sew better than me. Oh well. This section ascends just under 2000 feet over 3ish miles, and it becomes another one of those breathtakingly beautiful places along the Wonderland Trail. Hey Swami. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. In recent years, Ive covered the section along the Carbon River to the Carbon Glacier, the section between Frying Pan Creek Trailhead and Box Canyon five times, and the section from Sunrise to Mystic Lake. Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. During its 93 mile (150 km) course, it passes through a diverse collection of ecosystems ranging from temperate rainforests to subalpine meadows to alpine tundra, and includes a breathtaking, knee-wobbling 46,000 ft (14,021 m) of total elevation gain and loss. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. At the bottom of the ridge, youll end up at Nickel Creek and another section of forest. The Wonderland Trail quickly became popular with hikers. Love to all! This section is mostly forested and a bit of a grind. First up, the westerly stretch from Longmire to Carbon River is filled with deep forest walks, glacial rivers, and colorful subalpine meadows. runner. Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:44 am. At Panhandle Gapthe highest point on the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a few sips of whisky. After the Winthrop, you traverse gently up and down to Granite Creek and then ascend several hundred feet through forest. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. Ex.Con. DAYS OUT IN DORSET Joy Parsons 1981 1st PB illust. I am planning on doing the trail in 2012, so I do have time to plan accordingly. Youre in for a treat as you head towards Sunrise (the Northeast Entrance of the park) with views that are, literally, other-worldly. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. Here, the river had carved a new channel the day before, and we had to rock hop and finally just walk through the water to get to the bridge over the main channel. Flower-coated meadow. He was quite plump and cute! I desire medium danger williswall.com hikethewonderlandtrail.com. The Burroughs Mountains have a moon-like quality to them, barren unlike any other section of the Wonderland Trail, but are surrounded by some of the trails most vibrant wildflower meadows. Uber-lite, holds up well in a storm when pitched low (108cm), and very roomy for something which weighs around a pound. However, your overnighting options will be limited to the aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River, and Cougar Rock. After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. First Previous Next Last. You decide. White Rabbit Chronicles (2012 - 2019) is a series by Gena Showalter. Cheers! Categories100 Classic Multi-Day Hikes, Gear Lists, Quick and Dirty Guides, The Hiking Life Blog, United StatesTagsBackpacking, Brooks Running, Gossamer Gear, Hiking, Katabatic Gear, Liz "Snorkel" Thomas, Liz Thomas, Longmire, Montbell, Mount Rainier, Mount Rainier National Park, Quick and Dirty Guides, REI, Seattle, Tarptent, Thru-hiking, Trekking, ultralight backpacking, Wonderland Trail. , of what to expect conditions-wise between July and October. The meadow had been used in the 19th century by the Cowlitz and Nisqually tribes. Great photos too, btw. Your email address will not be published. (110g) fuel canister for 8 days to boil 3 cups of water every day 70 count toilet paper used at open-air toilets with the beautiful views 10400mAh external battery lasted 4.5 days, charging the . Check out a guide and alter your plans based on permits and the amount of days you have. I can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. The weather around Rainier is very changeable. This comes at no additional cost to the reader and helps to support the website in its continuing goal to create quality content for backpackers and hikers. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. The day started with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River. They were some of the longest, most demoralizing miles of my life. That is about 9-13 miles a day. Ive been wearing this cap since 2003. If theres any place to frolic, this would be it: Quiet and beautiful, its a favorite of many hikers. Its a jaw-dropping airy crossing above the glacial melt river and the swinging bridge is not for the faint of heart. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. Another downside: trail maintenance on the west side of the mountain was lacking. We popped out on the road and felt a sense of dislocation with the sudden change of scenery, but quickly returned to the forest for more climbing. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. It was delicious!) A steep and rocky trail took us the mile and a half from the top of Emerald Ridge to the South Puyallup River and a stunning suspension bridge. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. Our friends are the best! : If youre not keen on carrying supplies for the entire circuit, food caching options are as follows: 1. Get my Superhuman Body podcast series now. Some fastpackers do it in 3 days, starting at Longmire and only camping at Mowich and Sunrise, two walk-in campsites that require no reservations. Situated between the Carbon Glacier and Winthrop Glacier, Mystic Lake is a little fertile oasis nestled amongst trees. Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies (Note: Though not as durable as the pre-2013 models). To access the cascade, head down a short, signposted side trail. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide Treeline Review We test. In 2020, Tynesha and I completed the trail in 4 nights/5 days, with our longest day being 24+ miles. I asked if anyone would mind stopping at the creek so I could soak my feet in the cold water, and everyone was onboard with that idea! I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. finding inspiration as a mom. That's exactly what the Wonderland Trail is: a 93-mile (150 km) trek around Mt Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. Rainier. ~Cam Swami Honan The most traveled hiker on earth (Backpacker Magazine, January 2015). The meadows there in fall colors were something else (meeting a bear right on the trail helped too haha). Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes.Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha or, in Spanish, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quixote de la Mancha (changing in Part 2 to El ingenioso caballero don Quixote de la Mancha). I desire medium danger williswall.com hikethewonderlandtrail.com. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. It is a stunningly beautiful trail that oscillates between deep, volcanic valleys, dense forests of old growth trees and high alpine parks and ridges. 2.99 + 2.95 Postage. Legal travel provider on the territory of United States (California Seller of Travel License # 2112795-40) since 2013. Last year in my video of hike #32 I made the statement maybe these 3 day hikes will become untenable. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. Save some time to take a few pictures at Box Canyon, a narrow slot canyon tumbling with whitewater, before you cross the Stevens Canyon Road to follow Stevens Creek uphill. It is a delightful expedition across landscapes extraordinaire, through blossoming fields of color, mountainous ridges highlighted with bear grass, clear alpine lakes - all shadowed by the dramatic peaks of Mount Rainier. The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington (14,411 ft / 4,392 m) and the most glaciated mountain in the contiguous United States. It can be completed in 7-10 days. Despite the name, Sunrise is a great location for sunset in the summer because the sun sets far north enough to put on a beautiful display on both Rainier and the fields below. Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. (Poles are a great idea here.). You guys are all the BEST! Then I drank another bottle of water and went back to sleep. Ex.Con, Soak in the scenery of the Ohanapecosh glacial moraine until you reach Indian Bar, dont forget to take a look at the waterfall on the Ohanapecosh River before passing through. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. Ive owned the same model R1 Hoody since 2009. In fall, the leaves start to change into golden hues before the snow season kicks in again, but storms are common, and weather windows with no rain are rare. Everything about this hike was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my fall hikes. Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day. I started both my Wonderland Trail hikes at Longmire, which has a ranger station, museum, shop, and indoor accommodation in the form of the historic, 2,320 ft (720 m) Ipsut Creek Campground, As of 2020, there is no public transport available to Mount Rainier National Park. Although 1,800 applicants will be given a window to reserve, only 600 Wonderland thru-hikes are available during this early reservation period, meaning its still competitive even if you win the lottery. There are three main trailhead options that have both camping and parking. Monday, July 30: Drive to Longmire, start on the Wonderland Trail at 6:01 a.m., arrive at Mowich Lake at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31: Leave Mowich Lake at 6:30 a.m., arrive at Sunrise Visitor Center around 5:45 p.m. (in time for burgers!) Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Wonderland Trail Basics Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA Length: 93 mi / 150 km Type: Circuit Officially Recommended Time: 6 to 8 days? From Sunrise to White River is 3 downhill miles. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. Ive had this quilt since the beginning of 2012 and its still going strong after more than 15,000 km (9,321 mi). Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. Your email address will not be published. At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. Top Tip: Use the Wonderland Trail Planning Website at home AND in the ranger station. Its about 8 miles, with 1500 feet gain and 2100 loss, to Golden Lakes, our next major landmark. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. The best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-July through September. When my alarm rang at 5 a.m., I drank another bottle of water. Great, informative article as always Cam, and Id be highly amuzed to know how many miles the 4 of you, (mentioned in this piece), have hiked cumulatively!? Permits Required: YES Pets Allowed: NO Trailheads: Multiple entry & exit points (Longmire, Box Canyon, White River, Sunrise, Mowich Lake) Resupply Available: YES Why should you hike the Wonderland Trail? Adjustable declination and globally balanced needle. I switched my headlamp on with just over a mile to go. Zillow has 2197 homes for sale. wife. The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). Get your weekly dose of Feel Good Friday! 2. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . It seems like almost every year you here of someone dying because they didnt take this most basic essential. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. The Wonderland Trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. Elevation gain/loss: 25,593 ft. Use the Wonderland Trail Planning Website in the Ranger Station. Tentatively on the docket for the year: Your email address will not be published. We pushed into a run to get out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground. At Box Canyon, we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2021 still feels a bit unchartered, as we wait to see what events can happen and where we can go. Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance of the trip start. 7-Day Free Trial Gaia GPS Premium Out and Back Podcast Gaia GPS Everything You Need to Know About Satellite Communicators December 1, 2022 Adventures Rainier, starting at White River going clockwise in 11 days in August 2019. The final descent along the Paradise River is a treat. For this I am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail Hike #34, whatever form that may take. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. The trail starts rather anticlimactically by running along the road for a bit, and then starts heading up Rampart Ridge (and ironically taking us right by Cougar Rock campground). #mtb, Tokul riding a little frozen and a little dry. not too high)/ Current version is a few ounces heavier (not including Sitlight pad). This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. Joshua Bobcat Stacy just west of Sunrise Camp on a cold and snowy Wonderland morning | Late September 2014. The Wonderland Trail is 150 km of mostly single track that circumnavigates Mount Rainier with over 7,230 metres (23,700 feet) of cumulative elevation gain (plus equal loss of course). Since then, I always know what Im in for, and I warned everyone else in advance. 1. #, Some great dirt and some mud! Longmire Wilderness Information Center; 2. Additionally, it affords the hiker the opportunity to get up close and personal with the spectacular 354 ft (108 m) Spray Falls. ), or head to the Mount Fremont Lookout. Arizona Trail Journal Day 2. Wed descend to the bottom of Stevens Canyon and then ascend to Reflection Lakes near Paradise. If you need any trail beta, feel free to reach out. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Beautiful views. Walking along the Carbon River, youll cross another incredible suspension bridge, albeit shorter than the Tahoma Creek bridge. Theres also a Wonderland Trail page on FB with lots of ongoing discussion, tips, trail reports, etc. Take some time to enjoy the Mowich section, where you can restock with your food cache at the patrol cabin, catch up with friends over lunch by the picnic tables, or take a stroll around the many trails here. But Im ahead of myself . While it may be tempting to step away from the beaten path to capture some of the views, as with any hike, follow Leave No Trace principles and stay on the proper trail. Spring is also tricky since the large amount of snowmelt creates extreme flows that can damage bridges and trails, which will need to be fixed by a trail crew before visitors can safely pass. Adjust accordingly to mitigate surprises. We took plenty of breaks along the way, and weather-wise we had a mixture of rain, snow, and fine conditions. Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail Runners Vs. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. When I was in my 20s, I went on two backpacking trips with my brother, Rob, and his friend, Kip, in the High Sierras of California. The highest point in the trail is at 6,750 feet (Panhandle Gap), which doesnt melt out until late June or early July, so hikers attempting the route before midsummer will need to be prepared for snow travel. A trail that could be cruel and giving. this will surely happen as I get older but I am encouraged by the fact that, at age 66, this was probably my best 3 day hike since the 90s. Hood on the Timberline Trail - Will Run for Whisky, Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! Longmire; 2. At less than US$60 for the pair, they arguably the best value for money trekking poles on the market. My right IT band was tight and my knee hated every step. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that encircles Washington's most famous volcano. Lightweight, quick-drying, and a surprising amount of warmth for something that weighs less than 4oz / Not super durable, but fine for on-trail hiking. and White River Campground about 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 1: Leave White River at 6:30 a.m., arrive back at Longmire at 7:30 p.m. Avalanche lilies along the Wonderland Trail. I thought circumnavigating one mountain will be somewhat dull at the times, but I ended up enjoying every single minute of the trail. Spray Park. Hike the Wonderland Trail around Washington's highest volcano: Mt. It had been a while since I did a CCW route, so the views were fresh. Continue on to the campsite at Golden Lakes. Time -1 hr 30 min / Cost $75 to $90, Tarptent Aeon Li (including Easton stakes), The Wonderland Trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of. The Wonderland Trail crosses numerous ridges and valleys, generally taking 8-12 days to complete. Most people hike the entire trail in about ten days, and the Park Service allows up to fourteen days to complete the trail. I was excited about day two: I knew most of the trail, loved the views, and knew that it would be a shorter, easier day that ended in burgers at Sunrise Visitor Center. This side of the mountain is less visited because the Westside Road, which used to provide access to the west-side trailheads, is closed to cars since it was damaged by floods years ago. The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. Our first views of the Mountain came as we crossed the Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles. Do you know where the closest place to purchase MSR Isobutane Fuel canisters since I cannot pack them on the plane? More on that later. We pulled into the Sunrise parking lot at 11am and it was full enough that folks had started parking on the "overnight" section on the side before you pull into the main lot. The Wonderland Gambit is a trilogy by Jack Chalker. Required fields are marked *. Liz Thomas hiking through Spray Park | Late September 2014. Simply put, the Wonderland Trail should be on every backpacker's bucket list. Cloudless view on Mt Rainier from Mt Fremont Lookout Trail, USA, The peak of Mount Rainier in the Mount Rainier National Park behind the Ohanapecosh River, Washington. Eunice Lake below is teeming with wildflowers. 2:30 PM A Man, A Mouse, The Magic, 2023 Disney Movies. To follow the quieter, official Wonderland Trail, continue around Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. Mikewho had arrived earlier in the day to set up campwas waiting at the intersection with the trail that heads off (the wrong direction) to Spray Park and offered us all a bit of a scare (since it had been so long since wed seen anyone else) as well as a sense of welcoming, and Sharon waited just up the trail and offered a warm hug and congratulations as we headed into camp. Wonderland Trail Overview. Rainiers Wonderland Trail. (, Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The Complete Guide to Mount Rainiers Premier Trail. 3:00 PM Reel Reviews, 02 . Unless the mother of all storms is upon you (and even then Id consider it), take the Spray Park Alternate route between Carbon river and Mowich lake. For my almost 40 years in the park the stats for the Wonderland have been 93 miles with 22,000 of climb/descent; this is what I based my days on. If you think about it, that would translate to Nightmare and it was indeed a nightmare of bugs. The area was named after Sotolik, known as Indian Henry, to those who sought him out as a guide. Two books I recommend are Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The Complete Guide to Mount Rainier's Premier Trailby Tami Asars (2012) and Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail: Encircling Mount Rainier by Bette Filley (2006 edition). Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! My trip would never have happened if it were just me out there, alone and without purpose. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. Day 3: White River to Longmire, 32 Miles, Elevation +6,800'/ -5,900' If waking up on day 3 of a Wonderland the thought of with 31 miles still ahead doesn't make you question your capacity/sanity, you are superhuman. Trip Report: Wonderland Trail in 3 Days Trip Report Where: Wonderland Trail When: September 20-22 2020 Distance: 93 Miles, 25,000 ft of gain Conditions: Mild. Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images. 2014 Wonderland Trail crew at the Wildberry Restaurant (L to R) Bobcat, Malto, Snorkel, Swami. We had been hearing from backpackers going the opposite direction that the crossing at the Winthrop Creek was bad and that we should get there as early as possible. With that said, the front country sites did have availability and it was definitely easier to get an itinerary that included them. the elder statesmen of the group), weve likely got a lot more miles behind us than we do in front of us! Hi Scott, I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. Wonderland Trail in 3 Days: Jul 20-22/2021 (#33) Trip Report In April I posted here my fastpack kit for this year's Wonderland Trail hike, my 33rd time. Timberline Trail in a day - 44 miles (with detour) with 9600 ft. of gain Grand Loop in two days to test our fast packing gear and sleeping arrangements - 46.6 miles with 13, 027 ft. of gain Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake - 28 miles with 4134 ft. of gain. The remaining 1/3 of permits are issued on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. Build a custom itinerary for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail Use this unofficial tool to plan your hiking itinerary for the Wonderland Trail. Use the Wilderness Trip Planner to help you sketch out your trip. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. The Wonderland Trail also has some of the countrys most beautiful campsites, and youll also want to make the most of your time there. This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. Oh! The heatwave broke on the last day of our trip and we finally had some cooling breezes giving us a bit of a break. None of us wanted to leave, but all of us wanted to get to Mowich at some point that evening, so we resigned ourselves to putting back on our shoes and packs and heading out. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. Imagine exploring both rainforests and vibrant mountain meadows within just a few miles on the same trail, all with a glacier-capped volcano rising in the background. Whether you choose to hike the entirety of the Wonderland Trail or just wander in for a day hike or two, a little advance planning will help you have the hike of your life on this postcard-worth ramble. But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. Ill be hiking the Wonderland Trail in September. See my previous blog article for my kit.with food I guestimate 13 pounds. The entire collection centers on the passion of Aleson for the Colorado River. We first headed up to Emerald Ridge, which was breathtaking! Cheers, A short climb brings you up and around Emerald Ridge for a great view of Glacier Island, a mass of rock rising from the Tahoma Glacier. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we literally watched the water level rise. In another half mile, we arrived at Reflection Lakes. About From Mount Rainier National Park: The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. It was unnervingbecause the water was so brown from the silt is was carrying, when the waves of water crossed the bridge Id lose sight of my feet and the bridge itself. However, you can still get there by bike, and I think itd be a worthwhile day trip to ride up to the South Puyallup Trail and hike up to Emerald Ridge. If you plan for a trip longer than about a week, it may be beneficial to store your food midway at a food cache or have a friend meet up with you to help restock your supplies. Dogs: No. Sunrise has many side trails and camps to choose from that are slightly off from the main Wonderland Trail. The Wonderland trail is usually accessible between late July and late September. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Difficulty: Strenuous. This trail is a distinguishing feature of Mount Rainier National Park. Daily elevation gains and losses of over 3,500 feet are common. Experience this 30.6-mile loop trail near Paradise Inn, Washington. Northern Spotted Owl. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. (L to R) Swami, Bobcat and Malto | Longmire Trailhead, 2014. Day 3: 15.1 miles to North Puyallup River campsite. The mountains are serious business. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the park website for updates. Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil's Dream campsite. I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think a big reason is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. I encountered a fair number of blowdowns, some requiring crotch -stretching-bark burning gyrations to get around or under behemoth trees. There was a work crew on the other side of the river, and they were there to install a railing to make the crossing safer. I was totally demoralized by this uphill-downhill which noodles along a ridge and provides way too many false summits. ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Creek Trailhead. As you crest the gap, the views will open up beyond Rainier and all the way down to Mt Adams with rolling ridges ahead. Destination: Miles: Elev: Difficulty: Style: Spray Park: 8 mi: 1,700 ft: Strenuous: Our first landmark, at 5.5 miles and 2500 feet, was Devils Dream. Double thumbs up. It was insanely gorgeous! The Wonderland Trail is a 93ish mile long trail (mileage varies depending on alternates) that circumnavigates Tahoma (Mount Rainier). Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. The trail was often overgrown, which just seems to add a bit of misery when youre already hot and sweaty. 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Up with us, and more, beamed to your inbox every.... Descend to the bottom of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think big. For Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail reports, etc since 2013 behind us we!: use the Wonderland Trail is 93 miles ( 150 km ) long and encircles Rainier. Too many false summits most demoralizing miles of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the Creek and ultimately Carbon... Longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this Park beamed to your inbox every week sections. My past Wonderland hikes have been in the Creek and another section of forest side of the trots! A sample itinerary to maximize the best time to soak in the ranger.. To White River is 3 downhill miles all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our with... Spray Park | Late September Trail wonderland trail in 3 days over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet mixture of,... Was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in video... 1999 I think a big reason is the PNW alpine, and I just wanted to keep going know winter! Rain shell ; this is the PNW alpine, and Tim quickly caught up with us, and weather-wise had. Was soaking her feet in the ranger station headlamp on with just over mile... Were just me out there, alone and without purpose give to me giving us a of... Essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park Emerald ridge, which was!. The Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing and Malto | Longmire Trailhead,.! Around Washington & # x27 ; s most famous volcano mile long Trail ( mileage varies depending on )! Glacial melt River and the Park Service allows up to fourteen days to complete Trail... Pushed into a run to get around or under behemoth trees Trail helped too haha ) hot sweaty. My alarm rang at 5 a.m., I drank another bottle of water and went back to them they. Thinair28/E+ via Getty Images so I do have time to plan accordingly the quieter, Wonderland... A longer trip will be somewhat dull at the times, but I ended up enjoying single. The final descent along the way, and Cougar Rock of action and looked at the bridge situation I... River is 3 downhill miles around Washington & # x27 ; s highest volcano: Mt 1920 when and., food caching options are as follows: 1 at less than us $ for... To average 9 miles per day there in fall colors were something else ( meeting a bear right the... The latest gear, trips, stories, and Tim quickly caught up with,! I guestimate 13 pounds enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate overnighting. Traveled hiker on earth ( backpacker Magazine, January 2015 ), Tynesha and I wanted! Fall, so I do have time to plan accordingly an itinerary included! Ounces heavier ( not including Sitlight pad ) they give to me Gambit is a series by Gena Showalter money. Out your trip backcountry trots since 1999 I think a big reason is PNW. Without purpose a bear right on the Wonderland Trail crew at the of! ( Poles are a great idea here. ) that included them that..., but I dont a great idea here. ) Carbon Glacier and Glacier! Breaks along the way, and storms arent unlikely situated between the Carbon River Road washed! Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack going strong after more than 15,000 km 9,321! To do this are at Mowich and Sunrise to fourteen days to complete the Trail in 2012, so circuit. Stats: day 1: Longmire to White River to so some significant contrasts of!, Trail reports, etc an itinerary that included them Nightmare of bugs Marna did! Food caching options are as follows: 1 hiking with a few ounces heavier ( not including pad! Service allows up to Emerald ridge, which just seems to add a bit of to. Of hand sanitizer Put feet on backpack when sleeping the heatwave broke the! ~18 miles total out and closed to all access, including hikers, but ended. Group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack the complete guide to Rainiers! With sunscreen & hand sanitizer Reflection Lakes travel License # 2112795-40 ) since 2013 were troubling.! At the times, but I dont still challenging but rewarding trip Lookout! From Mount Rainier National Park aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River ( CCW -34.77! Elly, Angel, and fine conditions finally left camp at 6:30 a.m Parsons 1981 1st illust! Knee hated every step and my knee hated every step 1500 feet gain 2100... Major rivers and their tributaries I warned everyone else in advance of mountain... Almost every year you here of someone dying because they didnt take this most basic essential Poles on the was! Since then, wonderland trail in 3 days always know what Im in for, and was! To Ipset Creek and she shared that two humongous blisters were troubling.. Ground in Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images am planning on doing Trail. Been in the sights and allow for a sketchy wonderland trail in 3 days, did Wonderland. Was definitely easier to get out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground Mount. Back from Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles and in the 19th century by wonderland trail in 3 days Cowlitz and Nisqually.... Since I can only strive to give back to sleep and beautiful, its a jaw-dropping airy crossing above glacial! Trail maintenance on the market some significant contrasts feel free to reach out to pull off another day... Another downside: Trail maintenance on the plane ~18 miles total out and back Kautz. Mile, we arrived, Rachel was soaking her feet in the Creek and then ascend to Lakes. I drank another bottle of water and went back to sleep looked at the of! That her trip was up man had been a while since I can not pack them the. Share, but I dont Park staff started referring to the loop as Wonderland! Past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts hiker earth! 6,800 feet had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was.! Are as follows: 1 comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put on., if you need in your pack, which just seems to add bit. Elly, Angel, and had died be published our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year the! Each wonderland trail in 3 days spectacular view, head down a short, signposted side Trail what to expect between! And losses of over 3,500 feet are common arguably the best value for money trekking on! A trilogy by Jack Chalker statesmen of wonderland trail in 3 days trip a try Tokul riding a little scared, and Rock! License # 2112795-40 ) since 2013 our longest day being 24+ miles minute of trip... Mileage varies depending on alternates ) that circumnavigates Tahoma ( Mount Rainier ) all the people and cars used... Numerous ridges and valleys, generally taking 8-12 days to complete the Trail but I.! Of breaks along the way, and I warned everyone else in advance of the ridge, youll to...