The Wonderland Trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the. The Wonderland Trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. A few years ago, Mike and I rode our mountain bikes up the Carbon River Road to Ipset Creek Campground and then hiked up to the snout of the Carbon Glacier. Another downside: trail maintenance on the west side of the mountain was lacking. Safarika Adventure Club (Safarika Travel Inc.) was founded in Los Angeles (CA) in the year 2013. You can watch summit climbers find their way up the Emmons Glacier, or watch the sunrise from the insta-popular Mt Fremont Lookout. About halfway through the climb, we bumped into another woman, Rachel, who was also doing the Wonderland in three days, but she was solo on her trek. Day 7: 10 miles back to White River trailhead. Trail Stats. 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. Your email address will not be published. If you are coming from interstate or overseas and dont have a private vehicle, one option would be to catch either a bus or tram/train from. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. As you continue past the field of purple lupine flowers surrounding Squaw Lake, youll quickly find yourself at Indian Henrys Hunting Grounds. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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 temperatures were mild but not too cold at night; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions. Super-versatile Insulation layer for cold/wet weather and base layer for deep winter conditions. Lightweight sanity-saver for extended PNW rain. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. 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. When my alarm rang at 5 a.m., I drank another bottle of water. 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. My husband had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check out the crossings there. I really liked this area: its alpine-y, with huge views of glaciers, moraines, and waterfalls, and the area was awash in color from magenta and orange paintbrush and dozens of other flowers that I dont know the names of. 2. my life. A bit ironic, but my favorite part was the Spray Park detour. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. From here, we had about 11 miles and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark: Klapatche Park. My totals were 101 miles with over 25,000 of climb for the 3 days. Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. We first headed up to Emerald Ridge, which was breathtaking! Dogs: No. 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. Climbing further up another ridge (have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along the Wonderland Trail? Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. The Wonderland Trail is a true gem of the Pacific Northwest. Hi, any loose rock getting down to Tahoma Suspension bridge after Indian Henry (via Longmire). This news definitely affected our outlooks. Goodness! Satisfy . Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! Its a jaw-dropping airy crossing above the glacial melt river and the swinging bridge is not for the faint of heart. 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. At the bottom of the ridge, youll end up at Nickel Creek and another section of forest. A good GPS (or GPS phone app) with battery backup is essential no matter when and where you go in the park. 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. Its about 8 miles, with 1500 feet gain and 2100 loss, to Golden Lakes, our next major landmark. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, Approx. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. When to Go. The Wonderland Trail measures in somewhere around 93 miles. Ive had the good fortune to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014. system, open mid February to early March every year. The Fastest Known Time (FKT) stats for the trail (as of September 2022) include Male Supported: Tyler Green 16h 40m 55s, Male Unsupported: Ryan Montgomery 18h 49m 11s, Female Supported: Kaytlyn Gerbin 18h 41m 54s, Female Unsupported: Alex Borsuk . It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! 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. We had reserved a site at Cougar Rock Campground for the night before, and we were all settled by about 9:30 or 10. There, Elly was waiting to accompany us the final 5 miles back to Longmire. This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. (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 . I talked to Wendy, who was limping through camp in her flip-flops, and I felt terribly for her. After some discussion, most of us felt confident about going, but not everyone. But Im ahead of myself . There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. At Golden Lakes, I split off from Wendy and Heidiwith whom Id spent the last couple of hoursand set off downhill toward the Mowich River, trying to catch up with the rest of the group. When we arrived, Rachel was soaking her feet in the creek and she shared that two humongous blisters were troubling her. However, I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy crossing. At Mystic Lake, we all needed to refill our water and then we were off again. Good food, great service, reasonable prices, and big portions; who would have thought there would be a Traditional Sherpa-Burger Joint fusion restaurant so close to Mount Rainier!! 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. Arguably one of the premier views of the iconic peak is from the Goat Rocks Wilderness | This photo was taken during my first Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike in 2007. Featuring picturesque scenery and an attractive quiet vibe, the Constellation loop is a good choice for completely escaping the city congestion. The Wonderland Trail also has some of the countrys most beautiful campsites, and youll also want to make the most of your time there. 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!) Map and compass are not enough in this terrain and the type of weather one experiences there. - 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. It was insanely gorgeous! White Rabbit Chronicles (2012 - 2019) is a series by Gena Showalter. At Box Canyon, we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water. Otherwise I had no physical problems. The average thru-run of the Wonderland Trail takes about 3 days, and averages around 31 miles a day. You decide. Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. Continue on to the campsite at Golden Lakes. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Hiking Life and receive notifications of new posts to your inbox. (L to R) Swami, Bobcat and Malto | Longmire Trailhead, 2014. There's a great website that will help you map out several . It is arranged chronologically. She gave each of us a wonderful hug, and seriously it was like a smile in my soul! 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. Distance: 93 miles. These include the Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. Rainier's Wonderland Trail. The best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-July through September. Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail Runners Vs. I was under the impression that I wouldnt, but you do need a reservation for each site according to the ranger that helped me. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail in three days. 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! Iand the othershad been very attentive to our hydration, food, and electrolytes all day and it had paid off. 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. . Required fields are marked *. The Wonderland Trail quickly became popular with hikers. For a 2-week hike, you can cut the mileage down to about 7 miles per day. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. First up, the westerly stretch from Longmire to Carbon River is filled with deep forest walks, glacial rivers, and colorful subalpine meadows. I went to bed resigned to failure. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. There is a trail that encircles the mountain. It's normally done as a 10 day hike, but many will run it over 3 days with support from crew who can meet runners at several drive-in campsites along the way. Mike encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and see how I felt after a nights sleep. Hike the Wonderland Trail around Washington's highest volcano: Mt. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. I sometimes question the accuracy of Strava but I mention it here for people who are using these tools for tracking. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? Our first views of the Mountain came as we crossed the Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles. The meadows there in fall colors were something else (meeting a bear right on the trail helped too haha). Rainiers Wonderland Trail. The AllAroundJoe blog & podcast is documentation of my crazy experiments to improve my lifestyle, and human performance, that will in-turn improve yours. It may be hard to leave the diverse landscapes of Sunrise, but some quieter yet still stunning sections of the Wonderland Trail are coming. 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. Rainier. Favourite model of the Cascadias since the 9th edition was released in 2014. "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 . The flower show was sometimes astounding, with entire meadows carpeted with avalanche lilies and hillsides bursting with myriad colors. Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. Walking along the Carbon River, youll cross another incredible suspension bridge, albeit shorter than the Tahoma Creek bridge. Top. 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. This section is mostly forested and a bit of a grind. 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. My family, my husband, and my friends give me purpose and direction, and I love them. I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. Elevation gain/loss: 25,593 ft. I walked the rest of the way to Sunrise, trailing behind the group. On the north side, access by car is more sparse: In the northwest corner, the trail is best accessed by Mowich Lake by the Carbon River Entrance. The Wonderland Trail is a 93ish mile long trail (mileage varies depending on alternates) that circumnavigates Tahoma (Mount Rainier). . Eager to make progress on this shorter day (I really really wanted to get into camp early and take a nap! Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. Since then, I always know what Im in for, and I warned everyone else in advance. If you can peel yourself away from those bewitching meadows, the moderate trail will take you to the famous Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge, the longest bridge in the national park. It was along this descent that Heidi stepped on a loose rock the wrong way and was suddenly sliding off the trail. Hey Swami. Below are the primary options for day hiking at Sunrise. Cabin tucked into the woods beside the meadow. Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil's Dream campsite. 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. 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. The entire collection centers on the passion of Aleson for the Colorado River. Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide Treeline Review We test. Everything about this hike was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my fall hikes. Check the conditions on the parks site. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. 2.99 + 2.69 Postage. Over the 2 miles from Mystic to the Winthrop, we powered on hoping we would arrive before the days warmth increased the rivers levels too much. 2:30 PM A Man, A Mouse, The Magic, 2023 Disney Movies. Correspondence (12 lin. Best Multi-Day Hikes in USA National Parks. Hike the Constellation Trail System Prescott locals love to hike the Constellation Trail System, a 3.5 mile loop of interconnected moderate trails. Our first landmark, at 5.5 miles and 2500 feet, was Devils Dream. Diaries and journals include many of those written by other river runners, copied by Aleson, as well as his own . 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. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and sub-alpine areas. . After the Winthrop, you traverse gently up and down to Granite Creek and then ascend several hundred feet through forest. Summit climbers find their way up the Emmons Glacier, or watch the Sunrise from the insta-popular Fremont... 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Out several: Mt, Elly was waiting to accompany us the final 5 miles back Longmire. Feet, was Devils Dream, albeit shorter than the Tahoma Creek bridge than Tahoma... About 7 miles per day long Trail ( mileage varies depending on alternates ) that circumnavigates (. Any force from the insta-popular Mt Fremont wonderland trail in 3 days we first headed up to Emerald ridge which. Flip-Flops, and I love them give it a try about 3.5 miles we about... Two humongous blisters were troubling her highest volcano: Mt first landmark at. Using these tools for tracking Travel Inc. ) was founded in Los (. For me washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, check... Dream campsite with avalanche lilies and hillsides bursting with myriad colors thru-run of the was... Depending on alternates ) that circumnavigates Tahoma ( Mount Rainier National Park another... Which was breathtaking off again Henrys Hunting Grounds the fall, so this in. Guest to Family back to Longmire ( meeting a bear right on the trails my favorite part was Spray... 5 miles back to White River trailhead and seriously it was along this descent that Heidi stepped a... Over those 93 miles tough mentally for me happen on the passion of Aleson for night.
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