Climbing further up another ridge (have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along the Wonderland Trail? The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). The water was so forceful that we could hear boulders rolling underwater. There was no way I was going to be able to continue the next day. Elevation gain/loss: 25,593 ft. 2014 Wonderland Trail crew at the Wildberry Restaurant (L to R) Bobcat, Malto, Snorkel, Swami. 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. 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. 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. 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. The area was named after Sotolik, known as Indian Henry, to those who sought him out as a guide. Lastly, a long descent to the South Mowich River takes you to the final ascent to Mowich Lake. Use the Wonderland Trail Planning Website in the Ranger Station. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. There are no words. 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. Super-versatile Insulation layer for cold/wet weather and base layer for deep winter conditions. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. Cheers! This was the second person to die in a river crossing in the past five days (there would be one more wed learn about later), and we were definitely concerned. Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail Runners Vs. Ex.Con. Mowich Lake. Highest Elevation: 6,750 ft (2,060 m) Panhandle Gap, Lowest Elevation: 2,320 ft (720 m) Ipsut Creek Campground. Rainier, that shows off its volcanic nature as well as its meadows and forests and glaciers. Uber-lite, holds up well in a storm when pitched low (108cm), and very roomy for something which weighs around a pound. 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. 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 descending order of popularity, they are as follows: 1. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. After the climb, everything caught up with me. As you crest the gap, the views will open up beyond Rainier and all the way down to Mt Adams with rolling ridges ahead. Wonderland Trail Overview. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. (Mountaineers Books) Also available in Kindle; 2. . Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. Hike the Constellation Trail System Prescott locals love to hike the Constellation Trail System, a 3.5 mile loop of interconnected moderate trails. 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 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. However, it would be a wait before they could complete the work. Subjective Participant or Objective Observer? River guide. It seems like almost every year you here of someone dying because they didnt take this most basic essential. At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. Below are the primary options for day hiking at Sunrise. All text copyright me. about Cougar Rock Cougar Rock is a frontcountry car campground, so it doesn't use the Rainier backcountry campsite reservation system. 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. 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. The Wonderland Trail is aptly named: Spend a few days on this 93-mile circumnavigation of Washington's Mt. After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. Each time, Ive wanted to see more, experience more, of this wonder: a trail that goes around Mt. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. However, your overnighting options will be limited to the aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River, and Cougar Rock. Many portions are accessible by road and can be done as day hikes. for updates. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. My worst experience on the Wonderland Trail was three days in which it didn't stop raining for even a minute. Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (#34): Sep 7-9/2022 from Willis Wall on Vimeo. I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. Required fields are marked *. 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!? The mountains are serious business. 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. DAYS OUT IN DORSET Joy Parsons 1981 1st PB illust. Ipsut Creek Camp is not too far from Mowich and offers a lowland experience by the Carbon River. 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. Get started here, and when you have your hike planned, apply . Hi Scott, Hiking the Wonderland Trail around Mt. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. Tolmie Peak Lookout has one of the best vantage points of Rainier. 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. But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. Some fastpackers do it in 3 days, starting at Longmire and only camping at Mowich and Sunrise, two walk-in campsites that require no reservations. It was delicious!) 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. Mowich River Camp to Longmire-34.91 miles/8,720. This section ascends just under 2000 feet over 3ish miles, and it becomes another one of those breathtakingly beautiful places along the Wonderland Trail. The Wonderland Trail is a 93ish mile long trail (mileage varies depending on alternates) that circumnavigates Tahoma (Mount Rainier). My husband had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check out the crossings there. A Brief History of the Wonderland Trail Not that the adventure started out as film fodder. My feet needed no attention and my pack was unnoticeable. 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. Eager to make progress on this shorter day (I really really wanted to get into camp early and take a nap! 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. The rangers told us we could wait another 3 hours for them to finish the bridge in order to be safer. 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. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. Pass the White River Campground and pick up the trail as it follows Fryingpan Creek up to Summerland. At St. Andrews Lake, we encountered a family of four (the kids were 6 and 8). Elly, Angel, and Tim quickly caught up with us, and it made for cheery conversation to catch up with them. 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!! Clearly salt was still high on the body-needs-this list. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. Here's the video I did for this year's hike. The Gear It Takes to Run a 126-Mile Race Through the Himalayas, With Public Lands More Crowded Than Ever, We Need to Make Peace With Permits, Explore an Ocean Forest in Floridas Ten Thousand Islands, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. The day started with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River. Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? The best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-July through September. As we waited, the day continued to warm and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me apart. Casual . Those things always happen so quickly, and luckily she slid into a tree which stopped her downhill progress. #, Some great dirt and some mud! ft.) includes quite literally every exchange Aleson ever received. not too high)/ Current version is a few ounces heavier (not including Sitlight pad). Rainier. 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. At less than US$60 for the pair, they arguably the best value for money trekking poles on the market. Situated in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers. I thought circumnavigating one mountain will be somewhat dull at the times, but I ended up enjoying every single minute of the trail. Redirecting to /r/WildernessBackpacking/comments/tu41vu/wonderland_trail_how_do_you_create_a_multiday/i32e3rn (308) 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. 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. There's a great website that will help you map out several . I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. Longmire Wilderness Information Center; 2. Hike on. That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. Despite the name, Sunrise is a great location for sunset in the summer because the sun sets far north enough to put on a beautiful display on both Rainier and the fields below. Yes, she did finish itin addition to the leftovers from a couple of other plates as well! My thoughts remain with the man who died and especially with his son, who witnessed everything. Joshua Bobcat Stacy just west of Sunrise Camp on a cold and snowy Wonderland morning | Late September 2014. I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think a big reason is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. 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. 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 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. 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 . As for me, I left camp queasy, uncertain, and determined. 1. Your email address will not be published. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that encircles Washington's most famous volcano. All planning details have been updated as of June 2020. Our friends are the best! Check the conditions. 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. Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! See my previous blog article for my kit.with food I guestimate 13 pounds. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. A trail that would overwhelm my senses with its grandeur. The final descent along the Paradise River is a treat. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile loop around the base of Mt. Such an amazing accomplishment! Correspondence (12 lin. This years big adventure destination landed squarely in our Pacific Northwest backyard: seven of usKari, Kelli, Wendy, Heidi, Sarah, Vivian, and Idecided to go around Mt. Longmire; 2. Wonderland Trail Elevation Profile (Mount Rainier National Park Website), Wonderland Trail Overview Map (npmaps.com). Happy Hiking! mauderunner, Musings About 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and Running. At Mystic Lake, we all needed to refill our water and then we were off again. From Sunrise to White River is 3 downhill miles. Its got a large variety of scenery, from wide-open river beds created by the melting glaciers to fields of wildflowers to the vast, outer space-like ambiance of monochrome ash formed by an andesitic lava flow. I judge myself to be in decent shape from hiking, biking and skiing. I talked to Wendy, who was limping through camp in her flip-flops, and I felt terribly for her. Day 6: 9.9 miles to Indian Bar campsite. There, Elly was waiting to accompany us the final 5 miles back to Longmire. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). There are three main trailhead options that have both camping and parking. 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. For a 2-week hike, you can cut the mileage down to about 7 miles per day. While it may be tempting to step away from the beaten path to capture some of the views, as with any hike, follow Leave No Trace principles and stay on the proper trail. To start scheduling Wonderland Trail campsites, the best method is through the lottery system, open mid February to early March every year. Day 5: 16.2 miles to Maple Creek campsite. #mtb, Tokul riding a little frozen and a little dry. Thanks! To access the cascade, head down a short, signposted side trail. 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. We celebrate in camp with a bonfire, burgers, and a dutch oven crisp. Oh well. Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. About From Mount Rainier National Park: The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. Situated in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers. 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. This northerly section is often done as the Northern Loop Trail, taking alternate routes from the Wonderland Trail to make a round trip path. Ive used this merino wool base layer since 2016 for all my hikes in cold/wet conditions (e.g. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the. Day 2: Mowich Lake to White River Campground. 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). Its higher, tougher, and more scenic than the official trail. There is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you. After the Winthrop, you traverse gently up and down to Granite Creek and then ascend several hundred feet through forest. Adjust accordingly to mitigate surprises. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. It is a trail that leads through primeval forests, close to the mighty glaciers, past waterfalls and dashing torrents, up over ridges, and down into canyons; it leads through a veritable wonderland of beauty and grandeur.. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way. . I highly recommend eating at Wildberry restaurant, located just down the road from Longmire Wilderness Information Center (7.6 mi / 14 minutes drive). 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