Instead of the typical pattern of walking up and over a ridge, this time, you get to spend a few miles with Rainier as the main backdrop. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. Day 7: 10 miles back to White River trailhead. Casual . Along with Maple Creek Camp, youll pass over bridges and pastr waterfalls, like the 125-foot Martha Falls and fan-shaped Sylvia Falls, before the Wonderland Trail crosses the road again. Day 6: 9.9 miles to Indian Bar campsite. Thanks for the tips and pictures. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. We then headed off toward our last climb of the trip. In descending order of popularity, they are as follows: 1. Mount Rainier National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map), Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland Map. 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. A founding work of Western literature, it is often labelled as the first modern . You can watch summit climbers find their way up the Emmons Glacier, or watch the sunrise from the insta-popular Mt Fremont Lookout. Enjoy another rich meadow before descending back into the forest to the South Puyallup River Camp. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, Approx. Spray Park. Although the view at the end of the pathway is good, I highly recommend scrambling up the true right side of the watercourse to the base of the falls. See my previous blog article for my kit.with food I guestimate 13 pounds. Otherwise I had no physical problems. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. After those trips, I learned of the Wonderland Trail and tried to talk them into doing it with me. I simply know that I am blessed. ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Creek Trailhead. Ex.Con. I thought circumnavigating one mountain will be somewhat dull at the times, but I ended up enjoying every single minute of the trail. My worst experience on the Wonderland Trail was three days in which it didn't stop raining for even a minute. Frequently foggy but no rain. 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. A trail that would challenge me mentally and physically. She also shared that she was the first person the teenaged boy had found after his father was swept into Winthrop Creek, and that it continued to weigh heavily on her mind. I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. Master the Art of the Car Shuttle. Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. The Wonderland Trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles. I also ate a bunch of chips. But Im ahead of myself . The Wonderland Gambit is a trilogy by Jack Chalker. However, it would be a wait before they could complete the work. 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. The one caution I didnt see in the article is that snow can often covers long sections of the trail through much of July and you can easily get off track especially in white-out conditions. I hiked a section of the WT via walk up permit the other week and just wanted to mention that you do apparently still need a permit for the 3 front country sites. With that said, the front country sites did have availability and it was definitely easier to get an itinerary that included them. To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. It was clear to me that my trip was up. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. Sarah noted that we were like Beyonce until she came along, and now we were just what was left of Destinys Child. Ipsut Creek Camp is not too far from Mowich and offers a lowland experience by the Carbon River. The trail was often overgrown, which just seems to add a bit of misery when youre already hot and sweaty. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. I can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. runner. 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. Correspondence, diaries, legal and financial records, photographs. At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. Just a short few minutes walk further and take a look at the unique Devils Pipe Organ, a conglomerate of columnar lava cliffs. The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we literally watched the water level rise. 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. Your email address will not be published. Its got one of the most photogenic views of Rainier with an open subalpine meadow and a lovely ranger patrol cabin to bring you back in time. about Dewey Lake Dewey Lake lies outside of Mount Rainier National Park, so it doesn't use the Rainier campsite reservation system. Those things always happen so quickly, and luckily she slid into a tree which stopped her downhill progress. 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. 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. Ive used this merino wool base layer since 2016 for all my hikes in cold/wet conditions (e.g. day-by-day itinerary for your hike. 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. 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. Situated in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers. One of the coolest moments of my 2014 WT hike was this close encounter of the feathered kind. 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. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. We're hiking along the crest of the Cowlitz Divide on the southeast side of Mount Rainier National Park, just a few hours into a five-day, 77-mile backpacking trip covering most of the 93-mile Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, and we've already had our first wildlife sightinga harbinger of what awaits us. 2.99 + 2.95 Postage. Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. Hike the Constellation Trail System Prescott locals love to hike the Constellation Trail System, a 3.5 mile loop of interconnected moderate trails. Mountain views. 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. Once across, we had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews Lake. It was delicious!) Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. Hike the Wonderland Trail around Washington's highest volcano: Mt. and White River Campground about 7 p.m. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. Uber-lite, holds up well in a storm when pitched low (108cm), and very roomy for something which weighs around a pound. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. 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. Longmire; 2. Recent upgrade over my old Samsung Galaxy S7. The next morning (our first day on the trail) our amazing crew for day oneAna, Adam, and Sharonhad water boiling at 4:45 a.m. and we were packed and ready to go by 5:45 a.m. (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 . As we waited, the day continued to warm and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me apart. Without a doubt, Moraine Parkwith Moraine Creek, wildflowers, and incredible views of the Mountainwas a highlight. Fun little sketchy section on Between Two Ferns However, after tracking with GPS and Strava for a few years, the numbers for myself (and others reported on line) consistently come in higher. Redirecting to /r/WildernessBackpacking/comments/tu41vu/wonderland_trail_how_do_you_create_a_multiday/i32e3rn (308) Top Tip: Indian Bar and Summerland are likely going to be booked for several days out-save them for the end of your route. Pain and Suffering: Wonderland Trail in 3 Days, Wonderland Trail 2010: the "selfie" 3 day hike, Wonderland Trail in 3 Days: Jul 20-22/2021 (#33). Submit a clear, neat application. FINISHER MEDAL, for the f Rainier's Wonderland Trail. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Required fields are marked *. After the heat of the day and the long climb, the cool mountain lake water simply utter and complete bliss! In other words, I wasnt thinking well. Great photos too, btw. The area was named after Sotolik, known as Indian Henry, to those who sought him out as a guide. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. The final descent along the Paradise River is a treat. At Panhandle Gapthe highest point on the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a few sips of whisky. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. Avalanche lilies along the Wonderland Trail. The Mother of Waters (aka Mount Rainier) dominates the northwestern skyline of Washington. 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. Thanks for the kind words. 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. 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. 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. At the bottom of the ridge, youll end up at Nickel Creek and another section of forest. Best Multi-Day Hikes in USA National Parks. 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. For this I am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail Hike #34, whatever form that may take. After the climb, everything caught up with me. By far my all-time favourite liner gloves. However, your overnighting options will be limited to the aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River, and Cougar Rock. 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. Elevation gain/loss: 25,593 ft. With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). #, Some great dirt and some mud! Hike on. I highly recommend eating at Wildberry restaurant, located just down the road from Longmire Wilderness Information Center (7.6 mi / 14 minutes drive). I love how luxuries and civilization are a shock after just a couple of days on the trail. They said they would give us each a life vest from their gear, but that the thin nylon rope and the life vest were no guarantees of our safety: the rope would probably break if we fell and our heads would probably be bashed by rocks before the vests could save us. Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. . My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. The patrol cabin is located at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. . From there, I dragged into the Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and two sodas. (Mountaineers Books) Also available in Kindle; 2. Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. There are no words. Get your weekly dose of Feel Good Friday! Soon, youll climb out of the river bed and pop out to Mystic Lake, which hosts another campsite and ranger station. These include the Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. My trip would never have happened if it were just me out there, alone and without purpose. Highest Elevation: 6,750 ft (2,060 m) Panhandle Gap, Lowest Elevation: 2,320 ft (720 m) Ipsut Creek Campground. . Did the WT late September and it was as good as it gets. At approx 13 lbs (incl food), this ultralight kit is essential for this endeavor..no way could I pull this off at age 66 with a 30 lb pack. 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. However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. If you want to apply for an advance permit, you must apply online on the wilderness permit reservation system. Each year, hikers vie for permits to embark on a backpacking trip on it, with only a handful scoring the permits to undertake this strenuous hike. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. 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. Indian Henrys Patrol Cabin is a historic back country cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916. This final solo stretch was an important time for me. Oh well. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. The application opens on March 15 every year. Each time, Ive wanted to see more, experience more, of this wonder: a trail that goes around Mt. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. A trail that could be cruel and giving. The, : Yes. 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. Here's the video I did for this year's hike. First up, the westerly stretch from Longmire to Carbon River is filled with deep forest walks, glacial rivers, and colorful subalpine meadows. 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? 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. 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. As for me, I left camp queasy, uncertain, and determined. mauderunner, Musings About 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and Running. Difficulty: Strenuous. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. The wildflower meadows here are extremely fragile, especially given how many visitors come to the park. 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. At one point, it crosses a creek and then ascend an evil set of stairs. Thanks! This time when we invited her to join us, she jumped at the offer, and we were once again a group of seven. When to Go. I went to bed resigned to failure. The Wonderland Trail is a true gem of the Pacific Northwest. Tuesday, February 28 . Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (#34): Sep 7-9/2022 September 12, 2022 My annual Wonderland trek is more than just a hike; it's a life event where I immerse myself in the surroundings and go through all the ups and downs (literally), the highs and the lows, the elation and downright pure suffering that comes with such long days. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). 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And my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me apart Prescott locals love to the!
