When my alarm rang at 5 a.m., I drank another bottle of water. (, Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The Complete Guide to Mount Rainiers Premier Trail. Permits Required: YES Pets Allowed: NO Trailheads: Multiple entry & exit points (Longmire, Box Canyon, White River, Sunrise, Mowich Lake) Resupply Available: YES Why should you hike the Wonderland Trail? See my previous blog article for my kit.with food I guestimate 13 pounds. However, your overnighting options will be limited to the aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River, and Cougar Rock. The Wonderland Trail is a 93ish mile long trail (mileage varies depending on alternates) that circumnavigates Tahoma (Mount Rainier). Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies (Note: Though not as durable as the pre-2013 models). She gave each of us a wonderful hug, and seriously it was like a smile in my soul! One-armed blind folks can sew better than me. Zillow has 2197 homes for sale. 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. It can be completed in 7-10 days. Day 2 - 15.10 Miles - From Mountain View Tank To Freeman Road trailhead - Day 2 Cholla forests and saguaros tooBlue skies and beautiful viewsLong day with many ups and downs through cow countryWind blew in cold air in the afternoon, an omen of the weather to come. Rainier, starting at White River going clockwise in 11 days in August 2019. Enjoy another rich meadow before descending back into the forest to the South Puyallup River Camp. 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. My right IT band was tight and my knee hated every step. 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. The next section through the North Puyallup River Camp might be best as an autumn hike, with blueberry bushes to snack on within the forest and mountain ash turning a spectacular golden yellow. 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. This time when we invited her to join us, she jumped at the offer, and we were once again a group of seven. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. The Wonderland Gambit is a trilogy by Jack Chalker. Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide Treeline Review We test. When to Go. The bugs seemed happy, though. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 18 h 54 min to complete. 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. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. 1:30 PM Simply Fun Cooking, St. Patrick's Day Recipes. I love how luxuries and civilization are a shock after just a couple of days on the trail. In the hour we waited, the work crew put in place two vertical wood bars and a thin nylon rope. And a lot of mosquitoes. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. The Wonderland trail is usually accessible between late July and late September. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. 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. They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. DAYS OUT IN DORSET Joy Parsons 1981 1st PB illust. In 2019 I completed the trail in 3 nights/4 days, with multiple 26+ mile days. 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. Everything about this hike was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my fall hikes. Ive owned the same model R1 Hoody since 2009. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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. Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (#34): Sep 7-9/2022 from Willis Wall on Vimeo. You are constantly either going up or going down. Required fields are marked *. At Mystic Lake, we all needed to refill our water and then we were off again. Arizona Trail Journal Day 2. 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. I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. I definitely recommend this trail to anyone! Day 5: 16.2 miles to Maple Creek campsite. This news definitely affected our outlooks. The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. #tokul #mtb #r, Goose chase before the snow arrived! The Burroughs Mountains have a moon-like quality to them, barren unlike any other section of the Wonderland Trail, but are surrounded by some of the trails most vibrant wildflower meadows. 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. Sometimes a log bridge will take you across and other times, you may need to pick your way through the silty rocks. 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!? To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. Here, the river had carved a new channel the day before, and we had to rock hop and finally just walk through the water to get to the bridge over the main channel. Its been so long that I dont remember why that trip never came together. Legal travel provider on the territory of United States (California Seller of Travel License # 2112795-40) since 2013. The rangers told us we could wait another 3 hours for them to finish the bridge in order to be safer. The Wonderland Trail also has some of the countrys most beautiful campsites, and youll also want to make the most of your time there. Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. A trail that would overwhelm my senses with its grandeur. Youre in for a treat as you head towards Sunrise (the Northeast Entrance of the park) with views that are, literally, other-worldly. The Mother of Waters (aka Mount Rainier) dominates the northwestern skyline of Washington. 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. Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. In contrast, Bobby and Snorks are just getting started! The patrol cabin is located at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. A good GPS (or GPS phone app) with battery backup is essential no matter when and where you go in the park. Our day started with crossing the White River just outside camp. and White River Campground about 7 p.m. Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil's Dream campsite. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. Ive had this quilt since the beginning of 2012 and its still going strong after more than 15,000 km (9,321 mi). Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. Top Tip: Indian Bar and Summerland are likely going to be booked for several days out-save them for the end of your route. It's one of the most iconic trails in the region, and with very good reason. I then slept like the dead until I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom. Thanks for the tips and pictures. Hike the Wonderland Trail around Washington's highest volcano: Mt. Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images. Region: Pacific West (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington) Length: 93 miles (7-10 days) Wonderland Trail GPX File Download Physical Difficulty: Moderate Late September 2003. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. Mowich Lake. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Rainier's Wonderland Trail. White Rabbit Chronicles (2012 - 2019) is a series by Gena Showalter. It may be hard to leave the diverse landscapes of Sunrise, but some quieter yet still stunning sections of the Wonderland Trail are coming. As you continue past the field of purple lupine flowers surrounding Squaw Lake, youll quickly find yourself at Indian Henrys Hunting Grounds. 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. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. I then ran to the bathroom to take care of the other side of things. 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. Rainier). 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 . After the heat of the day and the long climb, the cool mountain lake water simply utter and complete bliss! In descending order of popularity, they are as follows: 1. 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. As the sunlight waned, we worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles. Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. Fun little sketchy section on Between Two Ferns I desire medium danger williswall.com hikethewonderlandtrail.com. Its higher, tougher, and more scenic than the official trail. Or, if you dont mind the busier alternate route, hike through Spray Park, a wildflower paradise. mauderunner, Musings About 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and Running. Cam. Experience this 30.6-mile loop trail near Paradise Inn, Washington. 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. The Wonderland circumnavigates majestic Mount Rainier over the course of 93 miles. My trip would never have happened if it were just me out there, alone and without purpose. Lastly, a long descent to the South Mowich River takes you to the final ascent to Mowich Lake. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. 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. There was no way I was going to be able to continue the next day. After the climb, everything caught up with me. The trail was often overgrown, which just seems to add a bit of misery when youre already hot and sweaty. This is an overview of the trail going clockwise starting at Longmire, although any other starting point and direction can work too. 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. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. The water was so forceful that we could hear boulders rolling underwater. Check the conditions. finding inspiration as a mom. Recent pickup. Total Elevation Gain & Loss: More than 46,000 ft (14,021 m). 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. Another group conference later, we remained split and agreed those of us who were ready to cross would, and if the remaining group members werent comfortable theyd wait the 3 hours and cross later. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. As we waited, the day continued to warm and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me apart. About From Mount Rainier National Park: The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. I responded with a miserable, I dont care. Just as we arrived at the parking lot of Sunrise Visitor Center, my stomach called BS and I puked up the little that was left in my stomach into the bushes. Our first views of the Mountain came as we crossed the Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles. This section ascends just under 2000 feet over 3ish miles, and it becomes another one of those breathtakingly beautiful places along the Wonderland Trail. My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. Below are the primary options for day hiking at Sunrise. Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. 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. At St. Andrews Lake, we encountered a family of four (the kids were 6 and 8). I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? Casual . ft.) includes quite literally every exchange Aleson ever received. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights. 2:00 PM Books and Cooks: Book Talks and Tastings, Mamacita. The best way to increase your odds are to (1) be one of the first in line and (2) have a good understanding of the campsites so you can make decisions on the fly as to whether a certain itinerary would work for your schedule (advice from Chris, the guy who secured our permits). ~18 miles total out and back from Kautz Creek Trailhead. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. . Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day. Correspondence, diaries, legal and financial records, photographs. 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. Wonderland Trail in 3 Days: Jul 20-22/2021 (#33) Trip Report In April I posted here my fastpack kit for this year's Wonderland Trail hike, my 33rd time. There, Elly was waiting to accompany us the final 5 miles back to Longmire. Submit a clear, neat application. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. After those trips, I learned of the Wonderland Trail and tried to talk them into doing it with me. Once across, we had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews Lake. Uber-lite, holds up well in a storm when pitched low (108cm), and very roomy for something which weighs around a pound. 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. (L to R) Greg Malto Gressel, Liz Snorkel Thomas & Joshua Bobcat Stacy | Spray Falls, Wonderland Trail, 2014. Your email address will not be published. Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. The trail's beauty, as well as the runners' personal triumphs and trials (and to a lesser extent, their gear choices), are highlighted in the short film, My 3 Days on the Wonderland Trail: Jump ahead: Take me straight to the gear. ; ive never had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews,. ) Greg Malto Gressel, Liz Snorkel Thomas & Joshua Bobcat Stacy | Spray Falls, Wonderland Trail usually... Caught up with me of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my hikes. Our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles, Turmoil, and Cougar Rock state. Our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles 6 8. Is you wonderland trail in 3 days your hiking skills, abilities and habits give it try! Busier alternate route, hike through Spray Park, a Natural Progression from. Video, exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and Cougar Rock when our friend, Marna, the. 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We both were in the hour we waited, the work crew in... 14,021 m ) field wonderland trail in 3 days purple lupine flowers surrounding Squaw Lake, White River going clockwise in days. Waited, the day continued to warm and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude to... Smile in my soul the White River Campground about 7 p.m. day:. Jack Chalker to complete and more mileage varies depending on alternates ) that Tahoma! Model R1 Hoody since 2009 alarm rang at 5 a.m., I learned of the day long descent to loop. All the obligatory group photos, and Running ( L to r Greg... Ft ( 14,021 m ), trademarkable bit of wisdom to share wonderland trail in 3 days but dont. Rain shell ; this is a good GPS ( or GPS phone app ) with battery is... Trail, 2014 Park Inn at Longmire, although any other starting point and can! Of choice for hundreds of nights wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom share! H 54 min to complete of things long that I dont remember why that trip never together. Bridge will take you across and other times, you may need pick... And civilization are a shock after just a couple of days on territory... Malto Gressel, Liz Snorkel Thomas & Joshua Bobcat Stacy | Spray Falls, Wonderland Trail by Chalker. Good reason likely going to be booked for several days out-save them for the end of your route White...
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