"The Wonderland Trail is one of the most popular in North America and West Coast athletes see the Wonderland as a hot place to run," Montgomery told The Seattle Times three days after . ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (#34): Sep 7-9/2022 from Willis Wall on Vimeo. Recent pickup. Destination: Miles: Elev: Difficulty: Style: Spray Park: 8 mi: 1,700 ft: Strenuous: We celebrate in camp with a bonfire, burgers, and a dutch oven crisp. You guys are all the BEST! runner. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. Repaired and sewed up more times than I can remember / Havent switched to the newer model, which is both tighter and heavier than the original. At Mystic Lake, we all needed to refill our water and then we were off again. From Sunrise to White River is 3 downhill miles. After some discussion, most of us felt confident about going, but not everyone. Check the conditions. Use the, If you plan for a trip longer than about a week, it may be beneficial to store your food midway at a. or have a friend meet up with you to help restock your supplies. 2:30 PM A Man, A Mouse, The Magic, 2023 Disney Movies. There was even a resident marmot who ignored us as he stood on his haunches, pulled on a flower stem, and then devoured the flower. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. My husband had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check out the crossings there. They were some of the longest, most demoralizing miles of my life. - Listen to Q&A #1: Pros & Cons of Sharing Hike on Social Media, How to Intergrate into the Hiking World, Timberline Trail vs. Tahoe Rim Trail by Backpacker Radio instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no downloads needed. 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. The trail is relatively smooth, its not too steep, its all downhill, and its the homestretch. I never needed to carry more than 20 ozs of water, always spiked with Tailwind; the mild temperatures surely helped with this, as there were only a few periods where I was actually sweating. 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. , and; 3. Privacy Policy. wife. A trail that could be cruel and giving. Wonderland Trail hike at a glance Location: Mount Rainier National Park Distance: 96-mile loop Elevation: 25,341 feet Difficulty Rating: Extremely challenging Timing: 6-8 days Pets: No Permits: Wilderness permits required for camping overnight in the park View the trail notes There is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you. The meadow had been used in the 19th century by the Cowlitz and Nisqually tribes. 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). A trail that would overwhelm my senses with its grandeur. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). We took plenty of breaks along the way, and weather-wise we had a mixture of rain, snow, and fine conditions. This section ascends just under 2000 feet over 3ish miles, and it becomes another one of those breathtakingly beautiful places along the Wonderland Trail. Super-versatile Insulation layer for cold/wet weather and base layer for deep winter conditions. 3:00 PM Reel Reviews, 02 . It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! The best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-July through September. Simply put, the Wonderland Trail should be on every backpacker's bucket list. Favourite model of the Cascadias since the 9th edition was released in 2014. Total Elevation Gain & Loss: More than 46,000 ft (14,021 m). And a lot of mosquitoes. Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. I spent a lot of that time reflecting on the journey, on what I had learned about myself and about my friends, on what I could do to be a better group member and person, on the giving and supportive friends and spouses who contributed to our trip, to our friends who did not start or could not finish, to my children who waited at home for me. 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. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. My feet needed no attention and my pack was unnoticeable. Will the permit schedule fit your itinerary? Rainier. Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. Day 5: 16.2 miles to Maple Creek campsite. Adam, Ana, Sharon, Heidis husband Bill, and Mike had hot food and cold drinks ready for us, and I dont think we showed any manners at all as we shoveled it into our faces. One of the coolest moments of my 2014 WT hike was this close encounter of the feathered kind. 7. It is a trail that leads through primeval forests, close to the mighty glaciers, past waterfalls and dashing torrents, up over ridges, and down into canyons; it leads through a veritable wonderland of beauty and grandeur.. Rainier, Wanders through forests and meadows, crosses streams and rivers, passes by lakes and glaciers, and climbs and drops and climbs and drops through continuously breathtaking terrain, Sunday, July 29: Drive to Mt. ft.) includes quite literally every exchange Aleson ever received. It was along this descent that Heidi stepped on a loose rock the wrong way and was suddenly sliding off the trail. Below are the primary options for day hiking at Sunrise. One of the park's most popular day hikes is the 11.8-mile out-and-back trip to Panhandle Gap from the Fryingpan Creek trailhead (and its precious few parking spaces) on White River Road. In the northeast corner, the Sunrise Entrance has a few spots to access the Wonderland Trail, by the Sunrise Visitor Center and lower on the road by White River Campground. Hiking Boots: A 30 Year Perspective. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. For best results, create three different itinerary choices; vary the starting date, or start from different trailheads. At this point, they said that we could make our own decision about whether to cross, but it was an adult decision that would be made by informed adults. #, Some great dirt and some mud! Set in a modern day world of zombies and zombie killers, the series plays off of the themes of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland throughout all four books, including the titular character Alice Bell. I highly recommend eating at Wildberry restaurant, located just down the road from Longmire Wilderness Information Center (7.6 mi / 14 minutes drive). Hi Scott, There is often more availability for partial Wonderland Trail backpacking trips. The Gear It Takes to Run a 126-Mile Race Through the Himalayas, With Public Lands More Crowded Than Ever, We Need to Make Peace With Permits, Explore an Ocean Forest in Floridas Ten Thousand Islands, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. Unless youre an elite ultrarunner, youll need to dedicate at least a few days to cover the Wonderland Trail. Finish it up with a nice descent along Paradise River, with the babbling water flowing alongside the trail as you pass the hustle bustle of Cougar Rock Campground. Ive had the good fortune to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014. Irrespective of when you hit the trail, come prepared for wet and cold conditions. Do you know where the closest place to purchase MSR Isobutane Fuel canisters since I cannot pack them on the plane? 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. 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 This years big adventure destination landed squarely in our Pacific Northwest backyard: seven of usKari, Kelli, Wendy, Heidi, Sarah, Vivian, and Idecided to go around Mt. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. 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. Oh well. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. Not too sure about the cumulative mileage, but I do know that in both Malto and my case (i.e. Mike encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and see how I felt after a nights sleep. 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. Get started here, and when you have your hike planned, apply . In another half mile, we arrived at Reflection Lakes. Theres also a Wonderland Trail page on FB with lots of ongoing discussion, tips, trail reports, etc. It was insanely gorgeous! 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 18 h 54 min to complete. Casual . To access the cascade, head down a short, signposted side trail. The average thru-run of the Wonderland Trail takes about 3 days, and averages around 31 miles a day. Late September 2003. They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. I was fit enough to enjoy less suffering than last year and more time enjoying my surroundings. Many portions are accessible by road and can be done as day hikes. to help you prepare. The AllAroundJoe blog & podcast is documentation of my crazy experiments to improve my lifestyle, and human performance, that will in-turn improve yours. Angel, Tim, and Elly headed back down toward Summerland and their cars, and we headed onward. Thanks for the great guide as usual Swami! Ive used this merino wool base layer since 2016 for all my hikes in cold/wet conditions (e.g. Day 2 - 15.10 Miles - From Mountain View Tank To Freeman Road trailhead - Day 2 Cholla forests and saguaros tooBlue skies and beautiful viewsLong day with many ups and downs through cow countryWind blew in cold air in the afternoon, an omen of the weather to come. Longmire Wilderness Information Center; 2. In the northeast corner, the Sunrise Entrance has a few spots to access the Wonderland Trail, by the Sunrise Visitor Center and lower on the road by White River Campground. Thats exactly what the Wonderland Trail is: a 93-mile (150 km) trek around Mt Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. Olympic Coast Route: The hardest thing I didnt finish, Affords hikers and runners views of all sides of Mt. Thanks so much!!!! Experience this 30.6-mile loop trail near Paradise Inn, Washington. But when we got there, we not only found the river pouring over parts of the bridge in waves, we also encountered a ranger who strongly advised against crossing. I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. Check the conditions on the parks site. 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. (Poles are a great idea here.). Northern Spotted Owl. Additionally, it affords the hiker the opportunity to get up close and personal with the spectacular 354 ft (108 m) Spray Falls. 3 Best Day Hikes on the Wonderland Trails. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . For the entire trip, we clocked in a total of 34 miles, 9,967 feet of ascent, 10,001 feet of descent and countless memories. Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail Runners Vs. Eunice Lake below is teeming with wildflowers. The Wonderland Trail is a 93ish mile long trail (mileage varies depending on alternates) that circumnavigates Tahoma (Mount Rainier). Reflection Lakes and Louise Lake are great places to stop for lunch and though there may be more visitors in this area, the views of Rainier are hard to beat. With the rivers running higher as the day progressed, this posed a problem for people crossing the river later in the day. There is a trail that encircles the mountain. The next section is one of the longest stretches of magnificent views as you traverse along the Cowlitz Divide. Eva zu Beck Raw Adventure's post stats : RUNNING THE WONDERLAND TRAIL Part 2: The Crisis By the time I reached camp at the end of day one it was already dark I had spent the last few miles wobbling around more than running my head spinning my body drained Everything had been fine up until the afternoon I had been feeling pumped excited for be out in the . Translation: I was cocky, didnt take the day as seriously as I had the day before, and I just about trashed the trip for myself as a result. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. A bit ironic, but my favorite part was the Spray Park detour. If theres any place to frolic, this would be it: Quiet and beautiful, its a favorite of many hikers. 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. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. 2. The Wonderland Trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. 2014 Wonderland Trail crew at the Wildberry Restaurant (L to R) Bobcat, Malto, Snorkel, Swami. Your average backpacker takes 7-10 days to hike the trail. Tentatively on the docket for the year: Your email address will not be published. Subjective Participant or Objective Observer? Cheery thoughts. Ive been wearing this cap since 2003. 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. For this I am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail Hike #34, whatever form that may take. Uber-lite, holds up well in a storm when pitched low (108cm), and very roomy for something which weighs around a pound. But Im ahead of myself . The right people enhance the experience and make each moment bigger, better, and simply more fun. Correspondence, diaries, legal and financial records, photographs. Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. 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! It is arranged chronologically. All planning details have been updated as of June 2020. 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. Just a short few minutes walk further and take a look at the unique Devils Pipe Organ, a conglomerate of columnar lava cliffs. Rainier. Highs mid 50-70, Lows mid 30's. Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1c7ah Photos: https://imgur.com/a/J8FHgFs Basically, everything between Summerland and Indian Bar are part of what I consider heaven on earthbeautiful meadows, high alpine ecosystems, stellar views of the Mountain! This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Day 3: 15.1 miles to North Puyallup River campsite. Originally, our itinerary was as follows: Enter Sunrise Trailhead and Fire Creek Camp: Friday, July 3 rd Carbon River Camp: Saturday, July 4 th Mystic Camp: Sunday, July 5 th Exit Sunrise Trailhead: Monday, July 6 th Yes! The meadows there in fall colors were something else (meeting a bear right on the trail helped too haha). Did the WT late September and it was as good as it gets. Ex.Con. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in a dropper bottle). You decide. Most people hike the entire trail in about ten days, and the Park Service allows up to fourteen days to complete the trail. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. I went to bed resigned to failure. Paradise Road starts from the southwest entrance through Longmire, ending at Paradise, where it meets up with Stevens Canyon Road that leads to the southeast entrance by Ohanapecosh. 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. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. My totals were 101 miles with over 25,000 of climb for the 3 days. I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. #mtb, Tokul riding a little frozen and a little dry. The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. There was lots of discussion about the pros and cons of starting points and directions, but ultimately we chose to start and end at Longmire and to go clockwise. We had reserved a site at Cougar Rock Campground for the night before, and we were all settled by about 9:30 or 10. I simply know that I am blessed. Fun little sketchy section on Between Two Ferns Double thumbs up. Wonderland Trail Basics Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA Length: 93 mi / 150 km Type: Circuit Officially Recommended Time: 6 to 8 days? Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. Your email address will not be published. Thanks for the tips and pictures. These include the Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. Beautiful views. It's included as an option here because camping somewhere along that section of the PCT can be useful for making a loop by . 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. Cheers! Build a custom itinerary for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail Use this unofficial tool to plan your hiking itinerary for the Wonderland Trail. I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. ** Check out the photos from last years race!!!! The lake is a welcome sight with Old Desolate, a lonely mountain towering 1,000 feet above the lake, making for a slight change in background. Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil's Dream campsite. Practically speaking, this means you need to be able to complete the trail in three days and average around 31 miles (50 km) a day. Our trip itinerary was as follows: Starting from Sunrise on Sunday, August 1st, we headed in the counter-clockwise direction and stayed at the following tentsites: Day 1: Mystic Lake Day 2: Mowich Lake Camp Day 3: Golden Lakes Camp Day 4: Klapatche Park Camp Day 5: Devil's Dream Camp Day 6: Paradise River Camp Day 7: Nickel Creek Camp Hike the Sourdough Ridge Trail to Frozen Lake, take a loop hike to First Burroughs Mountain (and beyond! 2.99 + 2.69 Postage. Another downside: trail maintenance on the west side of the mountain was lacking. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. Hike the Wonderland Trail around Washington's highest volcano: Mt. 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 Wonderland Trail makes its way through all the major geological zones from lowland forests to sub-alpine meadows with its cumulative gain of roughly 23,000 feet. Cheers, However, I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy crossing. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. Day 7: 10 miles back to White River trailhead. Adjust accordingly to mitigate surprises. With that said, the front country sites did have availability and it was definitely easier to get an itinerary that included them. Avalanche lilies along the Wonderland Trail. 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). (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 . Rainier). To start scheduling Wonderland Trail campsites, the best method is through the lottery system, open mid February to early March every year. The Sunset Park Patrol Cabin is also located here and if you wander a little, you can find yourself an iconic sunset lake reflection view of Rainier. I sometimes question the accuracy of Strava but I mention it here for people who are using these tools for tracking. 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. Sarah noted that we were like Beyonce until she came along, and now we were just what was left of Destinys Child. Pass the White River Campground and pick up the trail as it follows Fryingpan Creek up to Summerland. Adjust individual days in the generated itinerary below. It sits in an open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level. Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. Trail Stats. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. 17 of 40 Pyramid Peak, Washington I had driven up from Portland to congratulate my girlfriend Keiren and her friends on a successful 3-day circumnavigation of Rainier on the Wonderland Trail, then stayed the next morning to add on this solo adventure before heading home. Running Around Mt. Oh! Since then, I always know what Im in for, and I warned everyone else in advance. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. My! If I was to hike the Wonderland Trail (COVID-19 permitting) later this year, this is the gear is I would carry: Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means The Hiking Life receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. . Soon, youll climb out of the river bed and pop out to Mystic Lake, which hosts another campsite and ranger station. 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. There's a great website that will help you map out several . Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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