Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. Before long, the luscious green will transition briefly into the dry moon-like landscapes again at Panhandle Gap. Ex.Con. Stage: 93 Miles, 3-Day . It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way. and White River Campground about 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 1: Leave White River at 6:30 a.m., arrive back at Longmire at 7:30 p.m. My right IT band was tight and my knee hated every step. 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. That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. Mowich Lake. My thoughts remain with the man who died and especially with his son, who witnessed everything. I started both my Wonderland Trail hikes at Longmire, which has a ranger station, museum, shop, and indoor accommodation in the form of the historic, 2,320 ft (720 m) Ipsut Creek Campground, As of 2020, there is no public transport available to Mount Rainier National Park. The rangers told us we could wait another 3 hours for them to finish the bridge in order to be safer. Longmire; 2. Thanks for the tips and pictures. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil's Dream campsite. Cheers. Here's the video I did for this year's hike. It's one of the most iconic trails in the region, and with very good reason. YOU'RE IN!!! With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Otherwise I had no physical problems. 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. Casual . My! 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. I sometimes question the accuracy of Strava but I mention it here for people who are using these tools for tracking. Continue on to the campsite at Golden Lakes. Flower-coated meadow. Ugh. 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!! I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. Dogs: No. 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. Planning a One-Way Hike? To follow the quieter, official Wonderland Trail, continue around Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek. I encountered a fair number of blowdowns, some requiring crotch -stretching-bark burning gyrations to get around or under behemoth trees. 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. Experience this 30.6-mile loop trail near Paradise Inn, Washington. White Rabbit Chronicles (2012 - 2019) is a series by Gena Showalter. The first time I did the climb out of Indian Bar, it kicked my butt. Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. 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. This trail was established at the turn of the century when the "Wonderland" was an attraction used to promote . It contains detailed information for more than 200 of the worlds great hikes and was put together with the mission of inspiring and enabling folks to go backpacking. After crossing Kautz Creek, we continued our way up. The Wonderland Trail is aptly named: Spend a few days on this 93-mile circumnavigation of Washington's Mt. Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:44 am. The trail will deposit you back at Longmire, where you can kick back in one of their outdoor wicker chairs and pat yourself on the back for the successful thru-hike. Just wanted to thank you for a great guide, once again. 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. 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. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. Oh! The Wonderland Gambit is a trilogy by Jack Chalker. Highs mid 50-70, Lows mid 30's. Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1c7ah Photos: https://imgur.com/a/J8FHgFs 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. Elly, Angel, and Tim quickly caught up with us, and it made for cheery conversation to catch up with them. Longmire Wilderness Information Center; 2. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. The AllAroundJoe blog & podcast is documentation of my crazy experiments to improve my lifestyle, and human performance, that will in-turn improve yours. The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. Highest Elevation: 6,750 ft (2,060 m) Panhandle Gap, Lowest Elevation: 2,320 ft (720 m) Ipsut Creek Campground. Wonderland Trail Basics Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA Length: 93 mi / 150 km Type: Circuit Officially Recommended Time: 6 to 8 days? Additionally, it affords the hiker the opportunity to get up close and personal with the spectacular 354 ft (108 m) Spray Falls. The mountains are serious business. However, it would be a wait before they could complete the work. DORSET TOWN TRAILS Chris Jesty 1985 1st PB illust. Our trip itinerary was as follows: Starting from Sunrise on Sunday, August 1st, we headed in the counter-clockwise direction and stayed at the following tentsites: Day 1: Mystic Lake Day 2: Mowich Lake Camp Day 3: Golden Lakes Camp Day 4: Klapatche Park Camp Day 5: Devil's Dream Camp Day 6: Paradise River Camp Day 7: Nickel Creek Camp 7. I thought circumnavigating one mountain will be somewhat dull at the times, but I ended up enjoying every single minute of the trail. Irrespective of when you hit the trail, come prepared for wet and cold conditions. By far my all-time favourite liner gloves. Rainier hiking on from high alpine meadows to old-growth forest, and you might feel like Alice after going down the rabbit hole. This section is mostly forested and a bit of a grind. Simply put, the Wonderland Trail should be on every backpacker's bucket list. The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. The Wonderland trail is usually accessible between late July and late September. As the sunlight waned, we worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles. Mowich Lake. Total Elevation Gain & Loss: More than 46,000 ft (14,021 m). Timberline Trail in a day - 44 miles (with detour) with 9600 ft. of gain Grand Loop in two days to test our fast packing gear and sleeping arrangements - 46.6 miles with 13, 027 ft. of gain Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake - 28 miles with 4134 ft. of gain. The Wonderland Trail takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. 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. I simply know that I am blessed. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights. His teenaged son had run for help, and that morning helicopters had been out searching for the body. (, Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The Complete Guide to Mount Rainiers Premier Trail. All text copyright me. 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 final descent along the Paradise River is a treat. It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! I got my answers in the middle of the trip, when I hit my low point and puked in the bushes outside the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Correspondence, diaries, legal and financial records, photographs. Day 2: Mowich Lake to White River Campground. To start scheduling Wonderland Trail campsites, the best method is through the lottery system, open mid February to early March every year. The entire collection centers on the passion of Aleson for the Colorado River. We first headed up to Emerald Ridge, which was breathtaking! And then suddenly we were at Louise Lake! for updates. This bridge also was partly submerged, so feet that had made it across the first channel dry now got to get wet anyway. The Wonderland Trail is a true gem of the Pacific Northwest. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. The Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (Day 1) - AllAroundJoe The Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (Day 1) September 10, 2013 By Joe Bauer 0 Comments With the Wonderland Trail behind me and the soreness still lingering in my legs I write you this story about our 3 day, 93 mile journey around Mt Rainier. There are three main trailhead options that have both camping and parking. Ex.Con. (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . Each time, Ive wanted to see more, experience more, of this wonder: a trail that goes around Mt. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. 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. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. 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 Mother of Waters (aka Mount Rainier) dominates the northwestern skyline of Washington. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. Mountain views. That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Our day started with crossing the White River just outside camp. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, Approx. 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. Crossing the bridge was a thrill, and we all acted like children squealing and laughing as we bounced our way across one at a time. There was no way I was going to be able to continue the next day. At Panhandle Gapthe highest point on the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a few sips of whisky. 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. 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). 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. 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. The temperatures were mild but not too cold at night; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions. Everything about this hike was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my fall hikes. 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. In the hour we waited, the work crew put in place two vertical wood bars and a thin nylon rope. Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. Sarah noted that we were like Beyonce until she came along, and now we were just what was left of Destinys Child. . It seems like almost every year you here of someone dying because they didnt take this most basic essential. Daily elevation gains and losses of over 3,500 feet are common. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. I switched my headlamp on with just over a mile to go. Helps keep the mud out of my trail runners. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the. 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. 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? I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. Rainier). 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. Clearly salt was still high on the body-needs-this list. A daily hike of 7 to 10 miles is recommended to compensate for the ruggedness of the trail. 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. The trail was often overgrown, which just seems to add a bit of misery when youre already hot and sweaty. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile loop around the base of Mt. FINISHER MEDAL, for the f 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+ Trail Stats. mauderunner, Musings About 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and Running. The autumnal colours were just beginning to emerge. Cheers! If I was to hike the Wonderland Trail (COVID-19 permitting) later this year, this is the gear is I would carry: Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means The Hiking Life receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. Build a custom itinerary for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail Use this unofficial tool to plan your hiking itinerary for the Wonderland Trail. 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. At Box Canyon, we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water. Very durable Ive had the same pair since 2016. You are constantly either going up or going down. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. In 2019 I completed the trail in 3 nights/4 days, with multiple 26+ mile days. I dressed, forced down food and changed out my day three food bag to include a quart-sized baggy of chips. 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. There are no words. I walked the rest of the way to Sunrise, trailing behind the group. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. Ipsut Creek Camp is not too far from Mowich and offers a lowland experience by the Carbon River. We then headed off toward our last climb of the trip. Situated in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers. Late July and late September takes place entirely within the boundaries of Mount Rainier and encircles Mount )! Skyline of Washington state, Mt Rainier National Park the quieter, official Wonderland campsites. And cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water skyline of Washington & # ;... Our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles a true gem of the trip, official Trail... But not too cold at night ; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions deserts,,... 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Storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights question the accuracy of Strava but I mention here!
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