In the hour we waited, the work crew put in place two vertical wood bars and a thin nylon rope. Below are the primary options for day hiking at Sunrise. Its been so long that I dont remember why that trip never came together. Our first views of the Mountain came as we crossed the Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles. Such an amazing accomplishment! The day started with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River. But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. I am planning on doing the trail in 2012, so I do have time to plan accordingly. The patrol cabin is located at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. We finally hit the descent to Nickels Creek, and moaned about our feet as we worked our way downhill. With the rivers running higher as the day progressed, this posed a problem for people crossing the river later in the day. Cam. Unless youre an elite ultrarunner, youll need to dedicate at least a few days to cover the Wonderland Trail. I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. Cheers, This final solo stretch was an important time for me. The temperatures were mild but not too cold at night; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions. Experience this 30.6-mile loop trail near Paradise Inn, Washington. There's a great website that will help you map out several . Use the, If you plan for a trip longer than about a week, it may be beneficial to store your food midway at a. or have a friend meet up with you to help restock your supplies. This section is mostly forested and a bit of a grind. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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? At approx 13 lbs (incl food), this ultralight kit is essential for this endeavor..no way could I pull this off at age 66 with a 30 lb pack. 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. Oh well. runner. Walking along the Carbon River, youll cross another incredible suspension bridge, albeit shorter than the Tahoma Creek bridge. A bucket list adventure for sure!! Continue on to the campsite at Golden Lakes. day-by-day itinerary for your hike. Tired of Not Looking or Feeling the Way You Want?. I definitely recommend this trail to anyone! 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. 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. To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. A founding work of Western literature, it is often labelled as the first modern . These include the Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. I judge myself to be in decent shape from hiking, biking and skiing. I switched my headlamp on with just over a mile to go. It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! Highs mid 50-70, Lows mid 30's. Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1c7ah Photos: https://imgur.com/a/J8FHgFs In 2019 I completed the trail in 3 nights/4 days, with multiple 26+ mile days. Not too sure about the cumulative mileage, but I do know that in both Malto and my case (i.e. Did the WT late September and it was as good as it gets. Hood on the Timberline Trail - Will Run for Whisky, Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! Destination: Miles: Elev: Difficulty: Style: Spray Park: 8 mi: 1,700 ft: Strenuous: 2:30 PM A Man, A Mouse, The Magic, 2023 Disney Movies. Those things always happen so quickly, and luckily she slid into a tree which stopped her downhill progress. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Love to all! Your email address will not be published. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. Extra Socks Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew. 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. 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. There were Wonderland Trail signs along the way, marking our expected interactions with the day hikers and tourists. 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. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. Mowich River Camp to Longmire-34.91 miles/8,720. My thoughts remain with the man who died and especially with his son, who witnessed everything. From there, I dragged into the Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and two sodas. . 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. 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. Oh! Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. Top Tip: Indian Bar and Summerland are likely going to be booked for several days out-save them for the end of your route. Its about 8 miles, with 1500 feet gain and 2100 loss, to Golden Lakes, our next major landmark. So, I got my book in the other day, Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail by Bette Filley and it has gotten my wheels turning. My trip would never have happened if it were just me out there, alone and without purpose. #, Some great dirt and some mud! My husband had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check out the crossings there. I love how luxuries and civilization are a shock after just a couple of days on the trail. Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. Ugh. (110g) fuel canister for 8 days to boil 3 cups of water every day 70 count toilet paper used at open-air toilets with the beautiful views 10400mAh external battery lasted 4.5 days, charging the . 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. Wonderland Trail Overview. Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites, Trail Runners Vs. 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. finding inspiration as a mom. We pushed into a run to get out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground. ** Check out the photos from last years race!!!! However, after tracking with GPS and Strava for a few years, the numbers for myself (and others reported on line) consistently come in higher. A trail that would challenge me mentally and physically. 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. (L to R) Swami, Bobcat and Malto | Longmire Trailhead, 2014. Yes! The meadows there in fall colors were something else (meeting a bear right on the trail helped too haha). When I was in my 20s, I went on two backpacking trips with my brother, Rob, and his friend, Kip, in the High Sierras of California. I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. Our climbing was essentially done! 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. Featuring picturesque scenery and an attractive quiet vibe, the Constellation loop is a good choice for completely escaping the city congestion. 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. I was fit enough to enjoy less suffering than last year and more time enjoying my surroundings. Top Tip: Use the Wonderland Trail Planning Website at home AND in the ranger station. Wide shoulder straps are among the most comfortable I have tried / Robic material is durable and has good water resistance / Outside pockets are easily accessible (i.e. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. Wonderland Trail Basics Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA Length: 93 mi / 150 km Type: Circuit Officially Recommended Time: 6 to 8 days? Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. Soon, youll climb out of the river bed and pop out to Mystic Lake, which hosts another campsite and ranger station. When to Go. At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. We had been hearing from backpackers going the opposite direction that the crossing at the Winthrop Creek was bad and that we should get there as early as possible. The first time I did the climb out of Indian Bar, it kicked my butt. Region: Pacific West (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington) Length: 93 miles (7-10 days) Wonderland Trail GPX File Download Physical Difficulty: Moderate Marmots.. 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. This bridge also was partly submerged, so feet that had made it across the first channel dry now got to get wet anyway. 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. Spray Park. 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. Mike found a bridge on the North Mowich, but the South Mowich had to be forded. Be careful crossing the river. Ex.Con, The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. Mike encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and see how I felt after a nights sleep. The South Mowich River crossing was still lacking a bridge, requiring a ford (assisted by a steel cable strung across). St. Andrews Lake & Mt.Rainier | October 2003. in 2014 my three friends and I comfortably hiked the Wonderland Trail in three days. For the entire trip, we clocked in a total of 34 miles, 9,967 feet of ascent, 10,001 feet of descent and countless memories. 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. There are no words. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. The one caution I didnt see in the article is that snow can often covers long sections of the trail through much of July and you can easily get off track especially in white-out conditions. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. The entire collection centers on the passion of Aleson for the Colorado River. It is a stunningly beautiful trail that oscillates between deep, volcanic valleys, dense forests of old growth trees and high alpine parks and ridges. It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way. 2:00 PM Books and Cooks: Book Talks and Tastings, Mamacita. I highly recommend eating at, , located just down the road from Longmire Wilderness Information Center (. Sunrise/White River, and; 3. Founder & CEO - Karina Safari, professional adventure travel organizer and team leader since 2011. Basically, everything between Summerland and Indian Bar are part of what I consider heaven on earthbeautiful meadows, high alpine ecosystems, stellar views of the Mountain! Flower-coated meadow. Get my Superhuman Body podcast series now. I really liked this area: its alpine-y, with huge views of glaciers, moraines, and waterfalls, and the area was awash in color from magenta and orange paintbrush and dozens of other flowers that I dont know the names of. The trail was often overgrown, which just seems to add a bit of misery when youre already hot and sweaty. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. Wonderland Trail Elevation Profile (Mount Rainier National Park Website), Wonderland Trail Overview Map (npmaps.com). I dressed, forced down food and changed out my day three food bag to include a quart-sized baggy of chips. Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. A number of side hikes along the way will tempt more miles from you. Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance of the trip start. There is a trail that encircles the mountain. The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington (14,411 ft / 4,392 m) and the most glaciated mountain in the contiguous United States. Hike on. 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. Ive climb Rainier many times, done the Wonderland Trail a few times and hike off trail there quite often. 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. 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. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. 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. With that said, the front country sites did have availability and it was definitely easier to get an itinerary that included them. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images. In fact, I dont think any of us have peed during a day on the trails as much as we had that day. 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. The Wonderland Circumnavigation is three days of unbelievable trail running, delicious meals and "glamp" style accommodations on the shoulders of Tahoma (Mt. . Rainier, that shows off its volcanic nature as well as its meadows and forests and glaciers. My feet were hot and sore and felt blistered. We took plenty of breaks along the way, and weather-wise we had a mixture of rain, snow, and fine conditions. Obstacle Wonderland is pleased to bring you the best in Obstacle Course Racing, Trail Running, and More! You guys are all the BEST! Id been hearing great things about it for the previous year or two, and decided to give it a try. 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. 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. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). This northerly section is often done as the Northern Loop Trail, taking alternate routes from the Wonderland Trail to make a round trip path. 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!) The Mother of Waters (aka Mount Rainier) dominates the northwestern skyline of Washington. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. There are three main trailhead options that have both camping and parking. Save some time to take a few pictures at Box Canyon, a narrow slot canyon tumbling with whitewater, before you cross the Stevens Canyon Road to follow Stevens Creek uphill. 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. I found it all. This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. Originally, our itinerary was as follows: Enter Sunrise Trailhead and Fire Creek Camp: Friday, July 3 rd Carbon River Camp: Saturday, July 4 th Mystic Camp: Sunday, July 5 th Exit Sunrise Trailhead: Monday, July 6 th It seemed possible that we would have to turn back and give up on our trip. 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. If you want to apply for an advance permit, you must apply online on the wilderness permit reservation system. 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. (Poles are a great idea here.). 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. #tokul #mtb #r, Goose chase before the snow arrived! The mountains are serious business. My feet needed no attention and my pack was unnoticeable. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. 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