The area was named after Sotolik, known as Indian Henry, to those who sought him out as a guide. The trail starts rather anticlimactically by running along the road for a bit, and then starts heading up Rampart Ridge (and ironically taking us right by Cougar Rock campground). About From Mount Rainier National Park: The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. This is a prime tent spot for the sunset alone, which lights up Rainier at dusk. Redirecting to /r/WildernessBackpacking/comments/tu41vu/wonderland_trail_how_do_you_create_a_multiday/i32e3rn (308) Recent pickup. Mike found a bridge on the North Mowich, but the South Mowich had to be forded. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we literally watched the water level rise. 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. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. My right IT band was tight and my knee hated every step. my life. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. Joshua Bobcat Stacy just west of Sunrise Camp on a cold and snowy Wonderland morning | Late September 2014. 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. Tired of Not Looking or Feeling the Way You Want?. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. He was quite plump and cute! Privacy Policy. The longer days meant I spent most of my trail time sans headlamp, putting in 14-15 hour days. Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. Its higher, tougher, and more scenic than the official trail. 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. Submit a clear, neat application. More on that later. 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. 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. At Box Canyon, we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water. . Oh! FINISHER MEDAL, for the f (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. I ran most of this on my own behind Elly, Kari, Sarah, Heidi, and Kelli and ahead of Vivian and Rachel. Will the permit schedule fit your itinerary? 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. 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 The Wonderland Trail is 150 km of mostly single track that circumnavigates Mount Rainier with over 7,230 metres (23,700 feet) of cumulative elevation gain (plus equal loss of course). It was unnervingbecause the water was so brown from the silt is was carrying, when the waves of water crossed the bridge Id lose sight of my feet and the bridge itself. At less than US$60 for the pair, they arguably the best value for money trekking poles on the market. 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. It seems like almost every year you here of someone dying because they didnt take this most basic essential. In other words, I wasnt thinking well. Its about 8 miles, with 1500 feet gain and 2100 loss, to Golden Lakes, our next major landmark. It was delicious!) Indian Henrys Patrol Cabin is a historic back country cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916. Clearly salt was still high on the body-needs-this list. But Im ahead of myself . Satisfy . Walking along the Carbon River, youll cross another incredible suspension bridge, albeit shorter than the Tahoma Creek bridge. Extra Socks Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew. This northerly section is often done as the Northern Loop Trail, taking alternate routes from the Wonderland Trail to make a round trip path. 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. 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. Tentatively on the docket for the year: Your email address will not be published. Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance of the trip start. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. Ive used this merino wool base layer since 2016 for all my hikes in cold/wet conditions (e.g. In 2019 I completed the trail in 3 nights/4 days, with multiple 26+ mile days. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. 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. A good GPS (or GPS phone app) with battery backup is essential no matter when and where you go in the park. Lightweight sanity-saver for extended PNW rain. Mowich Lake. 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. 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 . Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. Spray Park. This final solo stretch was an important time for me. for updates. 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. When to Go. Repaired and sewed up more times than I can remember / Havent switched to the newer model, which is both tighter and heavier than the original. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that encircles Washington's most famous volcano. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. If you need any trail beta, feel free to reach out. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. Simply put, the Wonderland Trail should be on every backpacker's bucket list. Ex.Con, For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). 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. Be sure to check the, received its fitting moniker a century ago to the year (1920) when, The requests are then processed in random order, meaning that there is no guarantee of success. Unless youre an elite ultrarunner, youll need to dedicate at least a few days to cover the Wonderland Trail. As it ended up, both forks of the river are safely bridged now and it was an easy crossing. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. 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. Frequently foggy but no rain. Check your email to get access! Its amazing! Many portions are accessible by road and can be done as day hikes. 7. Did the WT late September and it was as good as it gets. Top Tip: Use the Wonderland Trail Planning Website at home AND in the ranger station. Climbing further up another ridge (have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along the Wonderland Trail? Over the 2 miles from Mystic to the Winthrop, we powered on hoping we would arrive before the days warmth increased the rivers levels too much. . Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. Otter Symmetry case for iPhone 11 (orange), Trekking Pole Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Sometimes a log bridge will take you across and other times, you may need to pick your way through the silty rocks. The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. So, when we got there, we decided to wait for the group to be whole again so we could be assured of everyones safety. 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. Day 3: 15.1 miles to North Puyallup River campsite. Instructions: Select your start and end trailheads, number of days, and hiking direction. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. OUR HERITAGE 3 DORSET CHURCHES E.T,Long 1970 1st PB illust. Daily elevation gains and losses of over 3,500 feet are common. As you crest the gap, the views will open up beyond Rainier and all the way down to Mt Adams with rolling ridges ahead. Obstacle Wonderland is pleased to bring you the best in Obstacle Course Racing, Trail Running, and More! To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. I simply know that I am blessed. 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. Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide Treeline Review We test. These include the Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. We then headed off toward our last climb of the trip. I grew hotter and I started not to feel well. However, your overnighting options will be limited to the aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River, and Cougar Rock. 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. Day 2: Mowich Lake to White River Campground. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Correspondence, diaries, legal and financial records, photographs. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). 3 Best Day Hikes on the Wonderland Trails. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. 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. 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. My feet were screaming at me, causing me to occasionally stop and flex them and breathe, but I felt strong. Ultimately, all of us crossed. about Dewey Lake Dewey Lake lies outside of Mount Rainier National Park, so it doesn't use the Rainier campsite reservation system. 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. Sign up for Outside+ today. They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. The highest point in the trail is at 6,750 feet (Panhandle Gap), which doesnt melt out until late June or early July, so hikers attempting the route before midsummer will need to be prepared for snow travel. I highly recommend eating at Wildberry restaurant, located just down the road from Longmire Wilderness Information Center (7.6 mi / 14 minutes drive). If you want to apply for an advance permit, you must apply online on the wilderness permit reservation system. Mountain views. Monday, July 30: Drive to Longmire, start on the Wonderland Trail at 6:01 a.m., arrive at Mowich Lake at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31: Leave Mowich Lake at 6:30 a.m., arrive at Sunrise Visitor Center around 5:45 p.m. (in time for burgers!) There were Wonderland Trail signs along the way, marking our expected interactions with the day hikers and tourists. From here, we had about 11 miles and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark: Klapatche Park. River crossings. ** Check out the photos from last years race!!!! That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. Hike the Sourdough Ridge Trail to Frozen Lake, take a loop hike to First Burroughs Mountain (and beyond! This bridge also was partly submerged, so feet that had made it across the first channel dry now got to get wet anyway. Top-end wrapped in orange tape so I wont lose it. It is a delightful expedition across landscapes extraordinaire, through blossoming fields of color, mountainous ridges highlighted with bear grass, clear alpine lakes - all shadowed by the dramatic peaks of Mount Rainier. 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. I then slept like the dead until I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom. Flower-coated meadow. 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. That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. In another half mile, we arrived at Reflection Lakes. Required fields are marked *. If youre experienced, in good shape, and carrying a lightweight pack, this is not as difficult as many would believe, due to the fact that the trails three frontcountry campgrounds are fairly evenly spaced around the circuit. The Wonderland Trail is aptly named: Spend a few days on this 93-mile circumnavigation of Washington's Mt. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. Most people hike the entire trail in about ten days, and the Park Service allows up to fourteen days to complete the trail. I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think a big reason is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. At one point, it crosses a creek and then ascend an evil set of stairs. 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? Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail Runners Vs. Zillow has 2197 homes for sale. After some discussion, most of us felt confident about going, but not everyone. Thanks for the tips and pictures. We first headed up to Emerald Ridge, which was breathtaking! Lightweight, quick-drying, and a surprising amount of warmth for something that weighs less than 4oz / Not super durable, but fine for on-trail hiking. We pushed into a run to get out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground. Rainiers Wonderland Trail. Situated between the Carbon Glacier and Winthrop Glacier, Mystic Lake is a little fertile oasis nestled amongst trees. Time for me that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the leg. 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