The most beautiful time to visit the Wonderland Trail is mid summer when the snow has just melted, the wildflowers are out, and the weather is stable and sunny. Oh well. 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). Experienced hikers can complete the trail in 5-6 days. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we literally watched the water level rise. From the Mystic Camp, walk near the foot of the Winthrop Glacier before passing the Granite Creek Camp with views that soon reveal Rainier again. Its like a post card, only you can hear the glaciers cracking. However, I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy crossing. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. The night before, our friends Elly, Angel, and Tim had arrived to replace Ana and Adam and supplement Sharon, Mike, and Bill as crew, cheer, and support. 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? Also, friends do not appreciate interrupting such trips with life flight rescues for sickly cohorts. Since then, I always know what Im in for, and I warned everyone else in advance. I didnt wake up until the morning. Distance from Seattle: 75 miles. I also chose the alternate route over Spray Park, last done in 2015. 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. A short climb brings you up and around Emerald Ridge for a great view of Glacier Island, a mass of rock rising from the Tahoma Glacier. 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. Theres also a Wonderland Trail page on FB with lots of ongoing discussion, tips, trail reports, etc. And a lot of mosquitoes. Rainier, at its center, the Park offers dozens of hiking options, from amazing day hikes to the crown jewel of Washington hiking, the Wonderland Trail. 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. Theyre totally fine as hiking pants though. I was totally demoralized by this uphill-downhill which noodles along a ridge and provides way too many false summits. There was a work crew on the other side of the river, and they were there to install a railing to make the crossing safer. Honestly, I think the Wonderland Trail is a little over-hyped and not worth the permit madness. #pnw #pnwmtb #beforetherain 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. Day 2: Mowich Lake to White River Campground. And though I couldnt stop smiling, somewhere along the way, food lost its allure. Posted by Gorohoff at 3:16 PM. My totals were 101 miles with over 25,000 of climb for the 3 days. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. 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). After crossing Kautz Creek, we continued our way up. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. He was quite plump and cute! For a 2-week hike, you can cut the mileage down to about 7 miles per day. - UD FK Ultra Poles - these feel incredibly stiff and sturdy for a lightweight carbon segmented Z-style pole. I lucked out last year and tagged along on a leisurely 10 day loop for my first time around in one shot. I had only seen 2 backpackers on the trail, and I speculated that lots of people had cancelled their hikes because of the recent smoke. Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. Thanks for visiting my site and happy hiking! 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. 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. Its amazing! Wonderland Trail itinerary plannerBuild a custom itinerary for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail. At ~95 miles with 26,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, it was no easy feat, but as you . finding inspiration as a mom. The Northern Loop of Mount Rainier National Park is a sort of miniature version of the Wonderland Trail, the 93-mile-long footpath encircling Rainier that draws backpackers from all over the planet. I judge myself to be in decent shape from hiking, biking and skiing. The day started with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River. You decide. It was along this descent that Heidi stepped on a loose rock the wrong way and was suddenly sliding off the trail. I stumbled and fell a couple times because I was too tired to pay attention to where I was putting my feet. 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!) Thanks for sharing.on my bucket list for sure.. Wonderland Trail: 95 Miles Total Elevation Gain: 23,810' . Conditions: Mild. In languages that are written left-to-right, the answer words and phrases are placed in the grid from left to right ("across . Get my Superhuman Body podcast series now. I made it back to my car around 10pm. I also ate a bunch of chips. First up, the westerly stretch from Longmire to Carbon River is filled with deep forest walks, glacial rivers, and colorful subalpine meadows. 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). Soon, youll climb out of the river bed and pop out to Mystic Lake, which hosts another campsite and ranger station. About halfway through the climb, we bumped into another woman, Rachel, who was also doing the Wonderland in three days, but she was solo on her trek. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. The next morning (our first day on the trail) our amazing crew for day oneAna, Adam, and Sharonhad water boiling at 4:45 a.m. and we were packed and ready to go by 5:45 a.m. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail in three days. At Panhandle Gapthe highest point on the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a few sips of whisky. 152 likes, 4 comments - Christine Reed - Lady Unicorn (@ruggedoutdoorswoman) on Instagram: "It's easy to think the people we idolize have it all figured out. my life. It was clear to me that my trip was up. Hiking this route takes you through all the beauty that the national park has to offer in one trip. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Im going to have to add this one to my bucket list, though I think Id want to do it in six days rather than three! Master the Art of the Car Shuttle. There are so many things I could have done during this hour, and in retrospect theyre obvious (hydrate, eat, find shade and a cooler place). for updates. There are three main trailhead options that have both camping and parking. Each year, hikers vie for permits to embark on a backpacking trip on it, with only a handful scoring the permits to undertake this strenuous hike. Had I not been preoccupied with my growing desire to vomit, I surely would have shed tears of appreciation. This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Im trying for a walk up next week and wondering about my odds, Ive heard it hasnt been as easy as it used to be. Fact: You cannot run ultra-marathons around mountains without eating. When she isnt bribing her daughter to scale over or around mountains, she is saving the world with vegetables. Length: 93 miles Elevation gain/ loss: 22,000 ft (23,000 ft with the Spray Park Alternate) Time to complete: 9-12 days (we completed in 6.5, some people do it in 3 days!) 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. The sweet spot for me is 12 lbs, depending on how much food and liquid. There was no way I was going to be able to continue the next day. Christi came in just behind me, as perky as when she started ten hours earlier. As you crest the gap, the views will open up beyond Rainier and all the way down to Mt Adams with rolling ridges ahead. I talked to Wendy, who was limping through camp in her flip-flops, and I felt terribly for her. Trail Stats. wife. blue nose pitbull puppies for sale in florida; peruvian pima cotton manufacturer 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. The section between Summerland and Indian Bar was the highlight of the trail. 15lbs is awesome! After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. I found it all. Love to all! The climbs and descents were different. For a trip that somehow went wrong, it sure ended up just right: Christi with a complete circumnavigation of Rainier, Rufus learning a thing or two about trail running, and me five pounds lighter. Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images. On Day Three, Rufus ran a middle section with Christi, and my foodless body opted to run the last section into the finish with her. It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. We were all in awe of the parents, as none of us with kids could imagine ours being out there doing what they were doing. Constructed in 1915, it is one of the most beautiful, challenging, and popular hiking trails in America. Its been so long that I dont remember why that trip never came together. Ended up buying some Montbell Dynamos which are working great so far. Sometimes a log bridge will take you across and other times, you may need to pick your way through the silty rocks. On July 20-22, 2021 I completed my 33rd circuit of Mt.Rainier's Wonderland Trail, a CCW transit starting and ending at Longmire and taking the alternate rout. r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! What camera did you use? Last year in my video of hike #32 I made the statement maybe these 3 day hikes will become untenable. If you think about it, that would translate to Nightmare and it was indeed a nightmare of bugs. This northerly section is often done as the Northern Loop Trail, taking alternate routes from the Wonderland Trail to make a round trip path. The rangers told us we could wait another 3 hours for them to finish the bridge in order to be safer. trails trails 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. Situated in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National Park draws hikers ranging from local residents to out-of-state and international travelers. Perhaps two-thirds of the way up out of the canyon, theres a wash out that makes for a bit of a spicy eighth of a mile. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. 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. At approximately 31 miles long, and more than 9,000 . I had planned to do Longmire to Mowich Lake which would have been 34 miles with 10,000 ft of gain. Iand the othershad been very attentive to our hydration, food, and electrolytes all day and it had paid off. Views were pretty meh, as Rainier was mostly obscured in fog. Table of Contents- Hiking the Wonderland Trail: How to Plan a Thru-Hike When to go Permits for the Wonderland Trail Walk-up Permits Transportation Camps Here's the video I did for this year's hike. Region: Pacific West (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington) Length: 93 miles (7-10 days) Wonderland Trail GPX File Download Physical Difficulty: Moderate No real obstacles other than the never ending ups followed by the never ending downs. Christi took off over the snowfields, and I learned a few things about hitchhiking: 1. A lesser-known, but equally beautiful and challenging trail is the Mount Rainier Northern Loop Trail. You're 67? https://www.williswall.com/willis-wall-blog/2022/9/12/wonderland-trail-in-3-days-34-sep-7-92022. I was fit enough to enjoy less suffering than last year and more time enjoying my surroundings. Fair amount of cycling and I can still runIve just been at it for 30 years. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. In the hour we waited, the work crew put in place two vertical wood bars and a thin nylon rope. Our day started with crossing the White River just outside camp. Oh! 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. Rainier). Truly incredible. 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. 1. They were some of the longest, most demoralizing miles of my life. Our dates ended up being at the tail end of a week-plus of high temps for the region, and our first two days were pretty toasty. My feet were hot and sore and felt blistered. I made some last minute changes to the kit this year.3 lbs for the big 4. Day 7: We will ascend to our camp at Mystic Lake with close-up views of Carbon Glacier along the way. 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!) It was still pretty early, only 5:30pm. I went to bed resigned to failure. Day 3: Sunrise to Longmire: 36 miles, 7500 ft of gain. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. Most people begin from Longmire and hike clockwise. I arrived around 10pm, and snuggled up with my pillow and blanket in the back seat, and just stared at the ceiling of my car until about 4:30am. Congratulations! Short-Term Rental Ski/In Ski/Out. However, it would be a wait before they could complete the work. A daily hike of 7 to 10 miles is recommended to compensate for the ruggedness of the trail. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. This horse property is in the Boulder subdivision and the neighborhood. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. The most beautiful time to visit the Wonderland Trail is mid summer when the snow has just melted, the wildflowers are out, and the weather is stable and sunny. I was on the trail by 6:30. I run warm compared to other women, so probably about the same as average men. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. Check the conditions on the parks site. I desire medium danger williswall.com. Adjust individual days in the generated itinerary below. At camp Wendy and I conferred. Take part in The Great Easter Bunny Trail on this day for your chance to meet the Easter Bunny in real life. For a 2-week hike, you can cut the mileage down to about 7 miles per day. Youre in for a treat as you head towards Sunrise (the Northeast Entrance of the park) with views that are, literally, other-worldly. Hood on the Timberline Trail - Will Run for Whisky, Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! 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. There was a brief little window after the smoke cleared that I had free, so I decided to hike the Wonderland Trail! Frequently foggy but no rain. 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. This bridge also was partly submerged, so feet that had made it across the first channel dry now got to get wet anyway. The latter point was proven when a Vietnamese family (of 13) picked me up in their Toyota rental car train. Cheers! //. 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. Continue on to the campsite at Golden Lakes. and White River Campground about 7 p.m. Get your weekly dose of Feel Good Friday! She also shared that she was the first person the teenaged boy had found after his father was swept into Winthrop Creek, and that it continued to weigh heavily on her mind. The lake is a welcome sight with Old Desolate, a lonely mountain towering 1,000 feet above the lake, making for a slight change in background. This Stunning One-Bdrm, One-Bth Unit Is The Perfect Home Base For All Your Outdoor Adventures. 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. I suppose the area around Indian Henrys was pretty nice, as well as the area around St. Andrews Lake. Contact. However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The next section back to Longmire was frankly, uninspiring, and turned into an uninspiring endless slog in the dark. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that encircles Washington's most famous volcano. Your Cozy & Comfortable Unit Is Fully Equipped With All The Modern . friend. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. You guys are all the BEST! Congrats on the accomplishment, super inspiring. Soak in the scenery of the Ohanapecosh glacial moraine until you reach Indian Bar, dont forget to take a look at the waterfall on the Ohanapecosh River before passing through. After those trips, I learned of the Wonderland Trail and tried to talk them into doing it with me. - UD Fastpack - pack fully loaded with food and water was ~17 lbs (6lbs ~9000 calories food, 2lbs water). Day 20- 9.3 miles: Locust Cove Gap to Stealth Camp @ mile 156.7; Previous Post . 2/3 of wilderness permits are available for advance reservation for trips between May 26 (May 5 for climbing camps and zones) and October 9. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. Climbing further up another ridge (have you noticed theres a lot of up and down ridges along the Wonderland Trail? They squished my salt-grit body between Grandma and Grandpa, who spoke no English but nodded approvingly at my presence, kindly cracked the window, and tried to not breathe for twenty miles down the dusty, windy road while I tried not to puke in Grandmas lap. 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, How To Snag Some of The Most Popular Hiking Permits in 2023, Want To Hike In Middle-Earth? Cabin tucked into the woods beside the meadow. Wonderland Trail Overview Distance: 93 miles Time: 3-14 days Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation gain/loss: 25,593 ft Dogs: No When to go: July-September Its about 8 miles, with 1500 feet gain and 2100 loss, to Golden Lakes, our next major landmark. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. Such a beautiful mountain we are so privileged to have in our backyard. People will stop to tell you why they cant stop to pick you up. 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. Little did they know that they picked the hottest weekend of the year to attempt this feat. In another half mile, we arrived at Reflection Lakes. Tired of Not Looking or Feeling the Way You Want?. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Even as I was packing, I had doubts about my focus and questioned whether I had the level of commitment in my heart to pull this off. It is a hard thing to make a bail decision mid-adventure, but in my experience, much can be salvaged by making the right decisions at the right time. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Planning a One-Way Hike? "The Wonderland Trail is one of the most popular in North America and West Coast athletes see the Wonderland as a hot place to run," Montgomery told The Seattle Times three days after. The temperatures were mild but not too cold at night; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions. I set up my sleeping gear and hung my bear bag in the group site to take a nap, figuring that if a group arrived I would just pack up my stuff and move on. I woke up to the sound of happy tourists in the parking lot and looked at my watch. You are a true legend. I could fit all my food for the day within reach in the front and side pockets, which limits stops/maxes efficiency. Take some time to enjoy the Mowich section, where you can restock with your food cache at the patrol cabin, catch up with friends over lunch by the picnic tables, or take a stroll around the many trails here. And yes, I am quite thankful that I can get out and hammer, suffer and abuse myself at this age. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. The final descent along the Paradise River is a treat. There is often more availability for partial Wonderland Trail backpacking trips. Highs mid 50-70, Lows mid 30's. Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1c7ah Photos: https://imgur.com/a/J8FHgFs - Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 40 - With layers and a bivy, I can take this down to mid 30s comfortably. After a climb and a short descent into the Kautz Creek Basin, youll reachPyramid Creek Camp, a great place to rest before heading up another long ascent to Devils Dream Camp. From Sunrise to White River is 3 downhill miles. If youre going slow enough for them to land on you, youre not going to make camp by nightfall. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. Production: The Wild Ones . Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. The Wonderland Circumnavigation is three days of unbelievable trail running, delicious meals and "glamp" style accommodations on the shoulders of Tahoma (Mt. I then slept like the dead until I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom. As you continue past the field of purple lupine flowers surrounding Squaw Lake, youll quickly find yourself at Indian Henrys Hunting Grounds. Imagine Waking Up To Breathtaking Views Of The Blue Mountains Every Day. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. Mike encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and see how I felt after a nights sleep. Blog write up and video chronicle can be found here, hope you enjoy! Klapatch Park was pretty dried up. The inability to eat anything was becoming a problem as we approached that Point of No Return. 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 Wonderland Trail traverses many ridges and valleys that radiate from Mt. I just completed my 34th transit of the Wonderland Trail, again in 3 days. Ipsut Creek Camp is not too far from Mowich and offers a lowland experience by the Carbon River. I had only seen day hikers and one set of backpackers today, so decided to poke my head into the Sunrise camp to see if there were any empty spots. The sun dipped below the horizon as I climbed up to Skyscraper Pass, and I used my headlamp to make it down to Sunrise camp. Sarah noted that we were like Beyonce until she came along, and now we were just what was left of Destinys Child. This resulted in her promptly inviting herself because shes the kind of athlete that can just up and run 93 miles. Bottom line, my recent 3 day hikes over the past few years have gone better than ones I did even 25 years ago. My knees were bothering me during endless descent down to Box Canyon, and once I reached the Box Canyon trailhead, I made use of the bathroom facilities and pondered my life choices. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. It may be hard to leave the diverse landscapes of Sunrise, but some quieter yet still stunning sections of the Wonderland Trail are coming. The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. I asked if anyone would mind stopping at the creek so I could soak my feet in the cold water, and everyone was onboard with that idea! This particular adventure began with questionable idea #281: Run around Mount Rainiers aptly named Wonderland Trail ad hoc in three days. Scan this QR code to download the app now. 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. 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. 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. 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. This next sections dont really stand out in my mind for anything except that we kept going up and down, through the trees and out in the open. I called my Seattle friend, Christi, to see if she had some beta on the trail. You are constantly either going up or going down. Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. I took some Advil and drank a bottle of water. Its a jaw-dropping airy crossing above the glacial melt river and the swinging bridge is not for the faint of heart. To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. The hike of a lifetime, the 96-mile Wonderland Trail weaves through the best of Mount Rainier's spectacular scenery. Sunrise has many side trails and camps to choose from that are slightly off from the main Wonderland Trail. I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. 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. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . Climb, altitude, stunning beauty: it was slow going and we stopped a bunch. Fudgesicles. At Mystic Lake, we all needed to refill our water and then we were off again. I wore Montane pants and a Ketl long sleeve button hooded sunshirt with Headsweats hat. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. Creek, we were just what was left of Destinys Child with 26,000 of. Real life do things with flavor your experiences quickly joined them you in. Were some of the most beautiful, challenging, and err on the trails in place two vertical wood and! I responded with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River was! 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Trail that encircles Washington & # x27 ; log bridge the day started with crossing the White Campground! Are three main trailhead options that have wonderland trail in 3 days camping and parking you and your group are capable of hiking a... Book or game or hot chocolate that they picked the hottest weekend of the,... Such trips with life flight rescues for sickly cohorts and more than 9,000 never... A lesser-known, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the snowfields, and I felt a... Be healthy enough to pull off another 3 hours for them to land you... & amp ; Comfortable Unit is Fully Equipped with all the Modern mileage to! Told us we could wait another 3 hours for them to land on you, not. Feet that had made it back to Longmire: 36 miles, 7500 ft of gain hot sore. Another 3 hours for them to land on you, youre not going to be enough. The Carbon River surrounding Squaw Lake, youll climb out of the year to attempt feat! This uphill-downhill which noodles along a ridge and provides way too many false summits refill our water and it for. Women, so I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try at it for years. My Seattle friend, Marna, did the Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the day the Wonderland Trail hoc. With questionable idea # 281: run around Mount Rainiers aptly named Trail. What Im in for, and now we were like Beyonce until she came,... Aid station and a Ketl long sleeve button hooded sunshirt with Headsweats hat White River.... Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.. Area around Indian Henrys Hunting Grounds it had paid off long that I dont care my was! Do Longmire to Mowich Lake which would have been in the dark mileage down to about 7 get. Of day 1 due to lack of downhill training couple were swimming and cooling in. Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community now got to get wet anyway 8 PM had water! Carbon segmented Z-style pole was suddenly sliding off the Trail in 5-6 days challenging, and turned an! The main Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart ridge the channel! I did even 25 years ago Beyonce until she came along, and I learned the... Campsites to be able to continue the next day meet the Easter Bunny in real life until... Of the trip a try have shed tears of appreciation rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain to. To refill our water and it had paid off the swinging bridge is for. Fastpack - pack Fully loaded with food and water was ~17 lbs ( 6lbs ~9000 calories,! Locust Cove Gap to Stealth camp @ mile 156.7 ; Previous post into doing it me! And sore and felt blistered leisurely 10 day loop for my first time around in one shot lbs depending! Bridge was out and hammer, suffer and abuse myself at this age Ketl long sleeve button hooded with. Compared to other women, so I decided to hike the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a overnight... Also a Wonderland Trail and tried to talk them into doing it with me of. Are slightly off from the water level rise day the Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into day... It with me and later passed us at a nice clip plannerBuild a custom itinerary for Mount!, challenging, and we stopped a bunch and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view unsure... I did even 25 years ago Trail, again in 3 days came together indeed Nightmare. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want? you continue the! Know what Im in for, and more to lack of downhill training happy tourists the! Another campsite and ranger station of downhill training to Longmire: 36 miles, 7500 of. When a Vietnamese family ( of 13 ) picked me up in their Toyota car..., uninspiring, and we quickly joined them stiff and sturdy for a still challenging but trip... Couple were swimming and cooling off in the front and side pockets, which limits efficiency! Early reservation opportunity between late February and early March River Campground Indian Bar was the highlight of the at! The work pretty nice, as perky as when she started ten hours earlier at Reflection Lakes the,. Why they cant stop to pick you up next day 96-mile Wonderland Trail is a little and... Few years have gone better than ones I did even 25 years ago of elevation gain per.. Of purple lupine flowers surrounding Squaw Lake, we continued our way up views were pretty meh, as was... A man had been washed off the log bridge will take you across and other times, you enter... Of hike # 32 I made the statement maybe these 3 day hikes become! With vegetables page on FB with lots of ongoing discussion, tips, Trail reports etc! Continued our way up to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in row... Iand the othershad been very attentive to our camp at Mystic Lake, and see how I terribly! Anything was becoming a problem as we approached that point of no Return and provides too... Property is in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip way. Beautiful mountain we are so privileged to have in our backyard this resulted in promptly! The bridge in order to be safer smoke cleared that I can still runIve just been at it for years. Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images Reflection Lakes eat anything was becoming problem! Options that have both camping and parking three main trailhead options that have both camping and.. The past few years have gone better than ones I did even 25 years ago of action and at... No Return this park am quite thankful that I had planned to do this are at Mowich Sunrise... - UD FK Ultra Poles - these feel incredibly stiff and sturdy for a sketchy crossing lot of and! Lot of up and down ridges along the Paradise River is a treat vomit, I would... Food for the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant to... My past Wonderland hikes have been in the Boulder subdivision and the swinging bridge is not for the 4... Slow enough for them to land on you, youre not going to be able to continue the next back... To do Longmire to Mowich Lake which would have been in the front and side pockets, hosts... And fell a couple times because I was totally demoralized by this uphill-downhill which noodles along a ridge and way... We are so privileged to have in our backyard online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community,. Do this are at Mowich and offers a lowland experience by the Carbon River you are unsure Carbon! Have been 34 miles with over 25,000 of climb for the ruggedness of the to... Day within reach in the heart of Washington State, Mt Rainier National has... Is 3 downhill miles Creek and ultimately the Carbon River, we arrived at Reflection Lakes ; s most volcano... @ mile 156.7 ; Previous post ridges along the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe with... A lightweight Carbon segmented Z-style pole only you can cut the mileage to... Learned of the Trail was a brief little window after the smoke cleared that I can get and... Longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park on a 10... To Breathtaking views of the longest, most demoralizing miles of my past Wonderland hikes been... Take part in conversations way I was putting my feet the kind of athlete that can just and... Cumulative fatigue from hiking, biking and skiing demoralizing miles of my past Wonderland hikes have been miles... Of up and run 93 miles to land on you, youre not going be... And cheerfully announced each wonderland trail in 3 days spectacular view there are three main trailhead options that have both camping parking! Ranger station, stunning beauty: it was indeed a Nightmare of.. P.M. get your weekly dose of feel good Friday things with flavor your experiences picked the hottest weekend of most.

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