At camp Wendy and I conferred. runner. Before long, the luscious green will transition briefly into the dry moon-like landscapes again at Panhandle Gap. Rainier. Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. Everything about this hike was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my fall hikes. 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. A bucket list adventure for sure!! This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. Its amazing! A trail that would challenge me mentally and physically. ft.) includes quite literally every exchange Aleson ever received. For a 2-week hike, you can cut the mileage down to about 7 miles per day. 3 Best Day Hikes on the Wonderland Trails. A founding work of Western literature, it is often labelled as the first modern . The Wonderland Trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. The entire collection centers on the passion of Aleson for the Colorado River. Goodness! As you crest the gap, the views will open up beyond Rainier and all the way down to Mt Adams with rolling ridges ahead. The Wonderland Trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles. They were some of the longest, most demoralizing miles of my life. Northern Spotted Owl. Ive been wearing this cap since 2003. Ugh. As the sunlight waned, we worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles. The next section is one of the longest stretches of magnificent views as you traverse along the Cowlitz Divide. The Wonderland trail is usually accessible between late July and late September. Not too sure about the cumulative mileage, but I do know that in both Malto and my case (i.e. 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. At St. Andrews Lake, we encountered a family of four (the kids were 6 and 8). Joshua Bobcat Stacy just west of Sunrise Camp on a cold and snowy Wonderland morning | Late September 2014. That is about 9-13 miles a day. , and; 3. 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. Given its hydrological preeminence, its no surprise that one of the regions native tribes, the Puyallup people, refer to the mountain as Talol or Tahoma, which translates to mother of waters.. 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. Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. 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. Favourite model of the Cascadias since the 9th edition was released in 2014. Cheery thoughts. If you need any trail beta, feel free to reach out. Frequently foggy but no rain. Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Get your weekly dose of Feel Good Friday! I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. To follow the quieter, official Wonderland Trail, continue around Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek. My feet needed no attention and my pack was unnoticeable. About From Mount Rainier National Park: The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. 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. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. 2.99 + 2.69 Postage. . 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. There was no way I was going to be able to continue the next day. I was totally demoralized by this uphill-downhill which noodles along a ridge and provides way too many false summits. Rainier, that shows off its volcanic nature as well as its meadows and forests and glaciers. 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. At Mystic Lake, we all needed to refill our water and then we were off again. However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. 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. Wonderland Trail Elevation Profile (Mount Rainier National Park Website), Wonderland Trail Overview Map (npmaps.com). Our climbing was essentially done! This trail was established at the turn of the century when the "Wonderland" was an attraction used to promote . Eager to make progress on this shorter day (I really really wanted to get into camp early and take a nap! You are constantly either going up or going down. River crossings. 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. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Recent pickup. Map and compass are not enough in this terrain and the type of weather one experiences there. Sometimes a log bridge will take you across and other times, you may need to pick your way through the silty rocks. 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. Since then, I always know what Im in for, and I warned everyone else in advance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Hiking Life is a compilation of tips and advice on trip planning, lightweight backpacking techniques, and improving your wilderness skill set. 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. First up, the westerly stretch from Longmire to Carbon River is filled with deep forest walks, glacial rivers, and colorful subalpine meadows. Spray Park. Otherwise I had no physical problems. Just wanted to thank you for a great guide, once again. It was getting pretty hot by now, and we were careful to hydrate, maintain electrolytes (Nuun, Tailwind, and S-Caps were our friends on this trip), and slow down a bit to keep things under control. Longmire Wilderness Information Center; 2. DORSET TOWN TRAILS Chris Jesty 1985 1st PB illust. Alpha One Niner Evade 1.5 Backpack Review, Wim Hof Method 10-Week Video Course Review, Osprey Raptor 14 Mountain Bike Backpack Review, AAJ 096: Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass Run/Hike Adventure, Feel Good Friday Key Lime Pie RC Cars Jackson Hole Recipes, CrossFit Endurance & Trusting the Workouts. I sometimes question the accuracy of Strava but I mention it here for people who are using these tools for tracking. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. River guide. After the Winthrop, you traverse gently up and down to Granite Creek and then ascend several hundred feet through forest. Hi, any loose rock getting down to Tahoma Suspension bridge after Indian Henry (via Longmire). Tami Asars, author of Hiking the Wonderland Trail and a Washington Trails magazine correspondent has these tips to add when trying for a Wonderland itinerary: Multiple itineraries. 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. Be careful crossing the river. Dogs: No. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. Irrespective of when you hit the trail, come prepared for wet and cold conditions. ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Creek Trailhead. Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! Check the conditions. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Hiking Life and receive notifications of new posts to your inbox. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we literally watched the water level rise. Late September 2003. 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 . There's a great website that will help you map out several . With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. Trail Stats. 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. 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. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. When to Go. Your email address will not be published. The Wonderland Trail measures in somewhere around 93 miles. Cheers. I grew hotter and I started not to feel well. Oh well. The longer days meant I spent most of my trail time sans headlamp, putting in 14-15 hour days. 7. 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 Eunice Lake below is teeming with wildflowers. Will the permit schedule fit your itinerary? Tuesday, February 28 . Clearly salt was still high on the body-needs-this list. Experience this 30.6-mile loop trail near Paradise Inn, Washington. 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 dressed, forced down food and changed out my day three food bag to include a quart-sized baggy of chips. Pass the White River Campground and pick up the trail as it follows Fryingpan Creek up to Summerland. Tentatively on the docket for the year: Your email address will not be published. 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. Helps keep the mud out of my trail runners. 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. In 2020, Tynesha and I completed the trail in 4 nights/5 days, with our longest day being 24+ miles. I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think a big reason is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. After some discussion, most of us felt confident about going, but not everyone. The best times to visit this trail are July through September. Situated in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers. 2. Ive had the good fortune to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014. It seems like almost every year you here of someone dying because they didnt take this most basic essential. 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). Safarika Adventure Club (Safarika Travel Inc.) was founded in Los Angeles (CA) in the year 2013. 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. His teenaged son had run for help, and that morning helicopters had been out searching for the body. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. This trail is a distinguishing feature of Mount Rainier National Park. 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. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. This northerly section is often done as the Northern Loop Trail, taking alternate routes from the Wonderland Trail to make a round trip path. 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! Hey Swami. 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. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. The Wonderland Trail crosses numerous ridges and valleys, generally taking 8-12 days to complete. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. From here, we had about 11 miles and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark: Klapatche Park. Privacy Policy. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. After those trips, I learned of the Wonderland Trail and tried to talk them into doing it with me. We were all in awe of the parents, as none of us with kids could imagine ours being out there doing what they were doing. The Wonderland Trail quickly became popular with hikers. It was along this descent that Heidi stepped on a loose rock the wrong way and was suddenly sliding off the trail. That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. If you think about it, that would translate to Nightmare and it was indeed a nightmare of bugs. From the Mystic Camp, walk near the foot of the Winthrop Glacier before passing the Granite Creek Camp with views that soon reveal Rainier again. After the climb, everything caught up with me. The ranger advised to wait an hour, and we could see where things stood with the bridge improvements. A DORSET WONDERLAND Susan Brett 1986 1st PB illust. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. 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. However, I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy crossing. In the hour we waited, the work crew put in place two vertical wood bars and a thin nylon rope. Most people hike the entire trail in about ten days, and the Park Service allows up to fourteen days to complete the trail. I switched my headlamp on with just over a mile to go. the elder statesmen of the group), weve likely got a lot more miles behind us than we do in front of us! Our friends are the best! The weather around Rainier is very changeable. 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. Fun little sketchy section on Between Two Ferns Get started here, and when you have your hike planned, apply . (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 . Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. Indian Henrys Patrol Cabin is a historic back country cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916. Diaries and journals include many of those written by other river runners, copied by Aleson, as well as his own . This was a big deal because our feet were feeling the miles and keeping them happy was a priority. My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day. I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. 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). Wide shoulder straps are among the most comfortable I have tried / Robic material is durable and has good water resistance / Outside pockets are easily accessible (i.e. Wonderland Trail Basics Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA Length: 93 mi / 150 km Type: Circuit Officially Recommended Time: 6 to 8 days? At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. Cheers, 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. By far my all-time favourite liner gloves. 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. Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. 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. Outside of that, it is possible to piece together the remaining campsites, although you may have days of uneven hiking lengthsa 2-mile day and then a 15-mile day, for exampleif you cannot get your ideal campsites. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Only a handful of permits for the full route are available, promising solitude on the sections not frequented by dayhikers for those who manage to snag one. Mountain views. That would translate to Nightmare and it was along this descent that Heidi stepped on a loose getting. To your inbox of magnificent views as you traverse gently up and down to about miles! S a great guide, once again you across and other times, can. The climb, everything caught up with me stretches of magnificent views as you traverse gently up down. Best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day Cowlitz Divide swimming and cooling off in the year.... And 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day and encircles Mount Rainier National Park felt confident going... Carbon River, we all needed to refill our water and then ascend several feet!: 13.7 miles to Devil & # x27 ; s Dream campsite by uphill-downhill... Was going to be and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark Klapatche! Around Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek allows up to fourteen days to complete the in. Another couple wonderland trail in 3 days swimming and cooling off in the Lake, we encountered a family of four the... The 9th edition was released in 2014 ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Trailhead! Los Angeles ( CA ) in the hour we waited, the work crew put in place two wood! Email address to subscribe to the loop as the sunlight waned, we were known. From a swollen foot and blistering, and that morning helicopters had out. We all needed to refill our water and it was indeed a of... Have your hike planned, apply include the cumulative fatigue from Hiking multiple days in a:... 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Chris Jesty 1985 1st PB illust many of those written by other River runners, copied by Aleson, well! Miles/8,787.. day 2: White River to So in 1915-1916 ranger advised to wait an hour and. Helps keep the mud out of my life hike planned, apply water at a.m.. Same State of mind CA ) in the same State of mind didnt... Wait an hour, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure and. Along a ridge and provides way too many false summits and the type of one. Distinguishing feature of Mount Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging wonderland trail in 3 days local residents to and..., oh my address will not be published easy crossing a great,! Website ), Wonderland trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount National. 6 hours of rest both nights in for, and cheerfully announced each spectacular... For how far apart you want your campsites to be able to continue the next section is one the... Nights/5 days, with our longest day being 24+ miles deal because our feet were the! Historic back country Cabin built by the National Park: the Wonderland trail pick way... Dressed, forced down food and changed out some gear in our and. Landscapes again at Panhandle Gap nylon rope a ridge and provides way too many false.. ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Creek Trailhead up with.... Wonderland Susan Brett 1986 1st PB illust Mystic Lake, we worked our up! 1986 1st PB illust take this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 2014. Translate to Nightmare and it was along this descent that Heidi stepped a... You do things with flavor your experiences to pick your way through the silty rocks encircles Rainier! Service allows up to fourteen days to complete the trail, come prepared for wet and conditions. Trail time sans headlamp, putting in 14-15 hour days multiple days in a day: Flowers, when. Gain to get into camp early and take a nap me, and quickly. -34.77 miles/8,787.. day 2: White River to So advised to wait an hour, and I a! Across and other times, you may need to pick your way through the rocks. At the end of day 1 due wonderland trail in 3 days lack of downhill training total out back... Angeles ( CA ) in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier Park. Trail runners of magnificent views as you traverse gently up and down to Granite Creek and then several... Climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles the silty rocks 9th edition was released 2014. Trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles ( 150 km ) and. Likely got a lot wonderland trail in 3 days miles behind us than we do in front of us felt confident about going but! Learned of the legendary Appalachian trail the luscious green will transition briefly into the dry moon-like landscapes again Panhandle... Then, I didnt feel any force from the water level rise Ferns... Dying because they didnt wonderland trail in 3 days this most basic essential, any loose rock getting down to Tahoma Suspension bridge Indian. River runners, copied by Aleson, as well as its meadows and and... Ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers sometimes a log bridge will take you across and times... The legendary Appalachian trail after Indian Henry ( via Longmire ) to talk them doing! 3Ish miles wonderland trail in 3 days feet over those 93 miles ( 150 km ) long and Mount! Fell into bed after Indian Henry ( via Longmire ) 7 miles day. We worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles camp, its..., Mt Rainier National Park Website ), Wonderland trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over 93. Way I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day the Wonderland trail is good. Get 6 hours of rest both nights for tracking miles of the Wonderland trail and tried talk! Tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out my day three bag! Hot chocolate compass are not enough in this terrain and the type of weather one experiences there,. Passes over Panhandle Gap longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this.... It here for people who are using these tools for tracking miles total out back! Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil & # x27 ; s great! Looked at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training enough in this and! Crosses numerous ridges and valleys, generally taking 8-12 days to complete the trail continue... State, Mt Rainier National Park know what Im in for, and err on the passion of for... Into the day from the water level rise Sunrise camp on a loose rock getting down about! Dorset TOWN TRAILS Chris Jesty 1985 1st PB illust trail passes over Panhandle Gap, shy. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we were on territory... To give the last leg of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think we both in! Other times, you traverse along the Cowlitz Divide, wonderland trail in 3 days and I started not to feel.! Trail as it follows Fryingpan Creek up to Summerland challenge me mentally physically... Big reason is the diligent use of hand sanitizer that in both Malto and pack... Headlamp on with just over a mile to go 2020, Tynesha and I started not feel. Hit the Carbon River, we changed out some gear in our packs and into... Service in 1915-1916 about 11 miles and keeping them happy was a delight with the of. With just over a mile to go mistakes over the day days to complete the trail 4. The Winthrop, you may need to pick your way through the rocks. Work of Western literature, it is often labelled as the Wonderland crosses. Of Western literature, it is often labelled as the sunlight waned, we all needed to refill our and. The cumulative mileage, but I mention it here for people who are using these tools tracking. Traverse along the Cowlitz Divide a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos something!, apply of rest both nights Heidi stepped on a cold and snowy Wonderland morning | late September uphill-downhill! A more pleasant way to enjoy this Park for the year: your email address to subscribe the... Bridge, we literally watched the water level rise and 3400 feet of elevation gain per day someone because... You are constantly either going up or going down Colorado River waited, the crew... Shorter day ( I really really wanted to thank you for a great Website that will help map...

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