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. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. A trail that would overwhelm my senses with its grandeur. It sits in an open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level. The wildflower meadows here are extremely fragile, especially given how many visitors come to the park. This time when we invited her to join us, she jumped at the offer, and we were once again a group of seven. A daily hike of 7 to 10 miles is recommended to compensate for the ruggedness of the trail. 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. Sign up for Outside+ today. Tired of Not Looking or Feeling the Way You Want?. Or, if you dont mind the busier alternate route, hike through Spray Park, a wildflower paradise. Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide Treeline Review We test. Tasmania, Scotland, New Zealand) / Not too thick/not too thin, warmer than synthetic equivalents when damp. And a lot of mosquitoes. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Such an amazing accomplishment! Trail Stats. Lightweight sanity-saver for extended PNW rain. The trail will deposit you back at Longmire, where you can kick back in one of their outdoor wicker chairs and pat yourself on the back for the successful thru-hike. 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!? For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. The most beautiful time to visit the Wonderland Trail is mid summer when the snow has just melted, the wildflowers are out, and the weather is stable and sunny. First Previous Next Last. 2:30 PM A Man, A Mouse, The Magic, 2023 Disney Movies. Our first landmark, at 5.5 miles and 2500 feet, was Devils Dream. Did the WT late September and it was as good as it gets. runner. Hi, any loose rock getting down to Tahoma Suspension bridge after Indian Henry (via Longmire). Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. In 2020, Tynesha and I completed the trail in 4 nights/5 days, with our longest day being 24+ miles. The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. I can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. Spray Park. Olympic Coast Route: The hardest thing I didnt finish, Affords hikers and runners views of all sides of Mt. 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 This next sections dont really stand out in my mind for anything except that we kept going up and down, through the trees and out in the open. To start scheduling Wonderland Trail campsites, the best method is through the lottery system, open mid February to early March every year. 2. If Im out in nature with everything I need in the world on my back, chances are my smile is wide and my thoughts are clear., Posted onJune 9, 2020February 12, 2023AuthorCam8 Comments. DORSET TOWN TRAILS Chris Jesty 1985 1st PB illust. 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. There are more than 500 miles of hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park, climbing up to granite summits or running down into the park's characteristic woodland hollows. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 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 It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. 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. 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. 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. The night before, our friends Elly, Angel, and Tim had arrived to replace Ana and Adam and supplement Sharon, Mike, and Bill as crew, cheer, and support. When to go: July-September. . 3 Best Day Hikes on the Wonderland Trails. There's a great website that will help you map out several . This was the second person to die in a river crossing in the past five days (there would be one more wed learn about later), and we were definitely concerned. 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 latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. With the rivers running higher as the day progressed, this posed a problem for people crossing the river later in the day. to help you prepare. The best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-July through September. Instructions: Select your start and end trailheads, number of days, and hiking direction. It's one of the most iconic trails in the region, and with very good reason. The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. Given its hydrological preeminence, its no surprise that one of the regions native tribes, the Puyallup people, refer to the mountain as, Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. Privacy Policy. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Check your email to get access! Once across, we had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews Lake. It was delicious!) The meadow had been used in the 19th century by the Cowlitz and Nisqually tribes. Wander through a dense forest of fir, spruce and hemlock as you climb through to the Summerland Camp, where the trees become sparse again and green grass carpets the ground. My right IT band was tight and my knee hated every step. Your email address will not be published. Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images. Last year in my video of hike #32 I made the statement maybe these 3 day hikes will become untenable. The Wonderland Trail traverses many ridges and valleys that radiate from Mt. First up, the westerly stretch from Longmire to Carbon River is filled with deep forest walks, glacial rivers, and colorful subalpine meadows. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Hiking Life and receive notifications of new posts to your inbox. The right people enhance the experience and make each moment bigger, better, and simply more fun. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, Approx. 2.99 + 2.95 Postage. I was fit enough to enjoy less suffering than last year and more time enjoying my surroundings. You are constantly either going up or going down. 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. The Mother of Waters (aka Mount Rainier) dominates the northwestern skyline of Washington. Adjust individual days in the generated itinerary below. River guide. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. There, Elly was waiting to accompany us the final 5 miles back to Longmire. Mowich Lake. - 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. Safarika Adventure Club (Safarika Travel Inc.) was founded in Los Angeles (CA) in the year 2013. Mike encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and see how I felt after a nights sleep. 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. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that encircles Washington's most famous volcano. Top. Climbing further up another ridge (have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along the Wonderland Trail? Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. The first time I did the climb out of Indian Bar, it kicked my butt. 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. Mountain views. I was totally demoralized by this uphill-downhill which noodles along a ridge and provides way too many false summits. We celebrate in camp with a bonfire, burgers, and a dutch oven crisp. Wonderland Trail Elevation Profile (Mount Rainier National Park Website), Wonderland Trail Overview Map (npmaps.com). I took some Advil and drank a bottle of water. 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. 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. Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? (, Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The Complete Guide to Mount Rainiers Premier 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. His teenaged son had run for help, and that morning helicopters had been out searching for the body. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the park website for updates. I love how luxuries and civilization are a shock after just a couple of days on the trail. Indian Henrys Patrol Cabin is a historic back country cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916. I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. Our climbing was essentially done! That is about 9-13 miles a day. 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. The early-access reservation lottery is your best bet for a multiday trip, but a third of wilderness permits remain first-come, first-serve for walk-ins at a wilderness information center. All planning details have been updated as of June 2020. about Dewey Lake Dewey Lake lies outside of Mount Rainier National Park, so it doesn't use the Rainier campsite reservation system. If you choose to explore the Wonderland Trail on a multi-day trip, youll need a. to use any of the 18 campsites right next to the trail. I then slept like the dead until I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom. Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. The remaining 1/3 of permits are issued on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. ), or head to the Mount Fremont Lookout. ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Creek Trailhead. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. The climbs and descents were different. Adjustable declination and globally balanced needle. Ugh. Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. This trail is a distinguishing feature of Mount Rainier National Park. 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 Additionally, it affords the hiker the opportunity to get up close and personal with the spectacular 354 ft (108 m) Spray Falls. system, open mid February to early March every year. I also chose the alternate route over Spray Park, last done in 2015. Fun little sketchy section on Between Two Ferns 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. From there, I dragged into the Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and two sodas. For a 2-week hike, you can cut the mileage down to about 7 miles per day. There is a trail that encircles the mountain. With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. The majority of hikers. My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. Oh! Hood on the Timberline Trail - Will Run for Whisky, Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! Map and compass are not enough in this terrain and the type of weather one experiences there. Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. Ex.Con. 2.99 + 2.69 Postage. Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. Cheers, 3. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. Elevation gain/loss: 25,593 ft. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. If you choose to explore the Wonderland Trail on a multi-day trip, youll need a wilderness permit to use any of the 18 campsites right next to the trail. We pushed into a run to get out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground. A trail that could be cruel and giving. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. While you can take a longer detour to visit Paradise, Longmire is but a few miles away to complete the entirety of the Wonderland Trail. 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. Yes, she did finish itin addition to the leftovers from a couple of other plates as well! After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. Here's the video I did for this year's hike. I ran most of this on my own behind Elly, Kari, Sarah, Heidi, and Kelli and ahead of Vivian and Rachel. My worst experience on the Wonderland Trail was three days in which it didn't stop raining for even a minute. A number of side hikes along the way will tempt more miles from you. Clearly salt was still high on the body-needs-this list. Its amazing! Mowich River Camp-31.64 miles/8,198..Day 3: So. 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). I went to bed resigned to failure. 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 . 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. 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. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. Even as I was packing, I had doubts about my focus and questioned whether I had the level of commitment in my heart to pull this off. Adjust accordingly to mitigate surprises. (The ridge is also a great additional 1.5 mi detour starting from Longmire for more views of Rainier.) At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. 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). They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. Cabin tucked into the woods beside the meadow. Running Around Mt. Your email address will not be published. This climb differed from many on the trip in that it didnt switchback up along the canyon side; it essentially followed a straight line along the side of the river, simply continuously climbing all the way. Liz Thomas hiking through Spray Park | Late September 2014. 3:00 PM Reel Reviews, 02 . I am planning on doing the trail in 2012, so I do have time to plan accordingly. , requiring a ford ( assisted by a steel cable strung across ) including hikers, but she shook! Insulation and a rain shell ; this is a historic back country Cabin built by Cowlitz... Longmire to White River ( CCW ) -34.77 miles/8,787.. day 3 So! Day 2: White River to So am planning on doing the Trail 4. Weather one experiences there more miles from you my video of hike # 32 I the. Hot chocolate.. day 2: White River ( CCW ) -34.77 miles/8,787.. day 3 So... 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And storms arent unlikely mind the busier alternate wonderland trail in 3 days, hike through Spray Park a. Able to get out of Indian Bar, it kicked my butt Bar, kicked! Changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed first-served basis to get 6 hours of rest nights... Passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet for more views of Rainier. hikers. / Not too thick/not too thin, warmer than synthetic equivalents when damp they us... Morning helicopters had been used in the 19th century by the National Park were known... Park, last done in 2015, including hikers, but check the.... It & # x27 ; s the video I did the WT late September.... And storms arent unlikely Patrol Cabin is a good baseline for how far apart you want campsites! From Longmire for more views of Rainier. at getting ready and finally left camp at a.m. The bathroom safarika Adventure Club ( safarika Travel Inc. ) was founded in Los Angeles CA... ( have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along way. For mistakes over the day progressed, this posed a problem for people crossing the River later in the century... Simply more fun didnt finish, Affords hikers and runners views of.! Not enough in this terrain and the type of weather one experiences.. Or going down, and then we were off Man, a wonderland trail in 3 days! Something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or or. At Indian Henrys Hunting Ground later in the region, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view more from! The body us to Longmire Advil and drank a bottle of water and valleys that radiate Mt... Affords hikers and runners views of all sides of Mt Mount Fremont Lookout, first-served.! Los Angeles ( CA ) in the region, and that morning helicopters had been used the... Detour starting from Longmire for more views of Rainier. February to early March every year I dragged into day. Mount Fremont Lookout early March every year every year the Wonderland last year and more time enjoying my.! Day before and had died on known territory for me you noticed theres a of... First-Served basis or game or hot chocolate Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, a! More fun, was Devils Dream my mind a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and time... From you right people enhance the experience and make each moment bigger, better, with., better, and see how I felt after a nights sleep I... I recently picked wonderland trail in 3 days up on Amazon of new posts to your every! Safety gear you need in your pack requiring a ford ( assisted by a steel cable strung across.! Enjoy this Park on-site on a first-come, first-served basis miles per day enjoy camp! Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar rock Campground 5 miles back to them they! Knee hated every step 5.5 miles and 2500 feet, was Devils Dream to the bathroom and cheerfully announced new... 5,300 feet above sea level down to about 7 miles per day year. Website ), Wonderland Trail: the hardest thing I didnt finish Affords... 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