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. We finally hit the descent to Nickels Creek, and moaned about our feet as we worked our way downhill. Or, if you dont mind the busier alternate route, hike through Spray Park, a wildflower paradise. There's a great website that will help you map out several . 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. 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. After those trips, I learned of the Wonderland Trail and tried to talk them into doing it with me. Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. 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 Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 18 h 54 min to complete. The wildflower meadows here are extremely fragile, especially given how many visitors come to the park. Climbing further up another ridge (have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along the Wonderland Trail? This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The meadow had been used in the 19th century by the Cowlitz and Nisqually tribes. To access the cascade, head down a short, signposted side trail. Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? Hike the Sourdough Ridge Trail to Frozen Lake, take a loop hike to First Burroughs Mountain (and beyond! Cabin tucked into the woods beside the meadow. 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. Rainier. I thought circumnavigating one mountain will be somewhat dull at the times, but I ended up enjoying every single minute of the trail. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. 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. I can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. 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. My thoughts remain with the man who died and especially with his son, who witnessed everything. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. You can watch summit climbers find their way up the Emmons Glacier, or watch the sunrise from the insta-popular Mt Fremont Lookout. - 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. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. 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. The patrol cabin is located at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. Check the conditions on the parks site. A bit ironic, but my favorite part was the Spray Park detour. Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. . There were Wonderland Trail signs along the way, marking our expected interactions with the day hikers and tourists. 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. Sarah noted that we were like Beyonce until she came along, and now we were just what was left of Destinys Child. The best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-July through September. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Our friends are the best! For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. Otherwise I had no physical problems. 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. Hike on. I also chose the alternate route over Spray Park, last done in 2015. The trail was often overgrown, which just seems to add a bit of misery when youre already hot and sweaty. Cheers! Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. Angel, Tim, and Elly headed back down toward Summerland and their cars, and we headed onward. Recent upgrade over my old Samsung Galaxy S7. For this I am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail Hike #34, whatever form that may take. 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. As for me, I left camp queasy, uncertain, and determined. 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. Ive had the good fortune to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. Running Around Mt. 2.99 + 2.69 Postage. If theres any place to frolic, this would be it: Quiet and beautiful, its a favorite of many hikers. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. All text copyright me. In 2020, Tynesha and I completed the trail in 4 nights/5 days, with our longest day being 24+ miles. From there, I dragged into the Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and two sodas. to help you prepare. Ive had this quilt since the beginning of 2012 and its still going strong after more than 15,000 km (9,321 mi). 3:00 PM Reel Reviews, 02 . 1:30 PM Simply Fun Cooking, St. Patrick's Day Recipes. Sunrise has many side trails and camps to choose from that are slightly off from the main Wonderland Trail. : If youre not keen on carrying supplies for the entire circuit, food caching options are as follows: 1. 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. Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. I was under the impression that I wouldnt, but you do need a reservation for each site according to the ranger that helped me. In contrast, Bobby and Snorks are just getting started! I walked the rest of the way to Sunrise, trailing behind the group. Founder & CEO - Karina Safari, professional adventure travel organizer and team leader since 2011. We then headed off toward our last climb of the trip. Recent pickup. 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. 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. Rainiers Wonderland Trail. You decide. Where to Apply for a Wonderland Trail Walk Up Permit (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. 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!? Our first views of the Mountain came as we crossed the Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles. The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). The temperatures were mild but not too cold at night; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions. DAYS OUT IN DORSET Joy Parsons 1981 1st PB illust. It sits in an open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level. A number of side hikes along the way will tempt more miles from you. A DORSET WONDERLAND Susan Brett 1986 1st PB illust. When we arrived, Rachel was soaking her feet in the creek and she shared that two humongous blisters were troubling her. 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. Oh! Build a custom itinerary for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail Use this unofficial tool to plan your hiking itinerary for the Wonderland Trail. The application opens on March 15 every year. Ive owned the same model R1 Hoody since 2009. This trail was established at the turn of the century when the "Wonderland" was an attraction used to promote . My trip would never have happened if it were just me out there, alone and without purpose. 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 If you plan for a trip longer than about a week, it may be beneficial to store your food midway at a food cache or have a friend meet up with you to help restock your supplies. 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. I talked to Wendy, who was limping through camp in her flip-flops, and I felt terribly for her. Privacy Policy. 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. Hiking Boots: A 30 Year Perspective. I desire medium danger williswall.com hikethewonderlandtrail.com. 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. The first time I did the climb out of Indian Bar, it kicked my butt. Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. Get your weekly dose of Feel Good Friday! Most people hike the entire trail in about ten days, and the Park Service allows up to fourteen days to complete the trail. I definitely recommend this trail to anyone! Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. Top Tip: Indian Bar and Summerland are likely going to be booked for several days out-save them for the end of your route. Thanks for the tips and pictures. But Im ahead of myself . During its 93 mile (150 km) course, it passes through a diverse collection of ecosystems ranging from temperate rainforests to subalpine meadows to alpine tundra, and includes a breathtaking, knee-wobbling 46,000 ft (14,021 m) of total elevation gain and loss. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. If you can swing it with the dates, I recommend doing the hike around mid to late September in order to avoid the crowds, the bugs, and if youre lucky, possibly catch the beginning of the fall colours. Rainier. 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. My feet were hot and sore and felt blistered. Whether you choose to hike the entirety of the Wonderland Trail or just wander in for a day hike or two, a little advance planning will help you have the hike of your life on this postcard-worth ramble. 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. That is about 9-13 miles a day. However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. 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. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. Yes! Your email address will not be published. The Wonderland Trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles. With the rivers running higher as the day progressed, this posed a problem for people crossing the river later in the day. However, it would be a wait before they could complete the work. Cheery thoughts. Its a jaw-dropping airy crossing above the glacial melt river and the swinging bridge is not for the faint of heart. system, open mid February to early March every year. The Wonderland circumnavigates majestic Mount Rainier over the course of 93 miles. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2021 still feels a bit unchartered, as we wait to see what events can happen and where we can go. Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. Trail Stats. ** Check out the photos from last years race!!!! At the bottom of the ridge, youll end up at Nickel Creek and another section of forest. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. 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. the elder statesmen of the group), weve likely got a lot more miles behind us than we do in front of us! Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. 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. The ranger advised to wait an hour, and we could see where things stood with the bridge improvements. Our climbing was essentially done! YOU'RE IN!!! After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. 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