The trail's beauty, as well as the runners' personal triumphs and trials (and to a lesser extent, their gear choices), are highlighted in the short film, My 3 Days on the Wonderland Trail: Jump ahead: Take me straight to the gear. 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. Hiking the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. It's normally done as a 10 day hike, but many will run it over 3 days with support from crew who can meet runners at several drive-in campsites along the way. 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! 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. Clearly salt was still high on the body-needs-this list. Your average backpacker takes 7-10 days to hike the trail. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. My family, my husband, and my friends give me purpose and direction, and I love them. 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. I encountered a fair number of blowdowns, some requiring crotch -stretching-bark burning gyrations to get around or under behemoth trees. From here, we had about 11 miles and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark: Klapatche Park. After the climb, everything caught up with me. Day 7: 10 miles back to White River trailhead. Trail Stats. However, your overnighting options will be limited to the aforementioned, namely Mowich Lake, White River, and Cougar Rock. I got my answers in the middle of the trip, when I hit my low point and puked in the bushes outside the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot. I walked the rest of the way to Sunrise, trailing behind the group. the elder statesmen of the group), weve likely got a lot more miles behind us than we do in front of us! Cheers, Our climbing was essentially done! That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. We celebrate in camp with a bonfire, burgers, and a dutch oven crisp. 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. 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. my life. friend. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. Our first views of the Mountain came as we crossed the Kautz Creek at about 3.5 miles. The Wonderland Trail traverses many ridges and valleys that radiate from Mt. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. Otter Symmetry case for iPhone 11 (orange), Trekking Pole Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber. 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 longer days meant I spent most of my trail time sans headlamp, putting in 14-15 hour days. Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. 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. 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. This bridge also was partly submerged, so feet that had made it across the first channel dry now got to get wet anyway. 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. wife. Thanks for the great guide as usual Swami! Get my Superhuman Body podcast series now. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. (L to R) Swami, Bobcat and Malto | Longmire Trailhead, 2014. This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. This final solo stretch was an important time for me. 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. (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. 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. I hiked a section of the WT via walk up permit the other week and just wanted to mention that you do apparently still need a permit for the 3 front country sites. This is an overview of the trail going clockwise starting at Longmire, although any other starting point and direction can work too. system, open mid February to early March every year. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). 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. I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. 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). Following the lottery, the remaining campsites open for reservations in late April. YOU'RE IN!!! In fact, I dont think any of us have peed during a day on the trails as much as we had that day. There's a great website that will help you map out several . Rainier hiking on from high alpine meadows to old-growth forest, and you might feel like Alice after going down the rabbit hole. This news definitely affected our outlooks. Mowich Lake. Running Around Mt. While we debated our course of action and looked at the bridge, we literally watched the water level rise. I was able to get 6 hours of rest both nights. 7. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. And a lot of mosquitoes. The Wonderland Trail quickly became popular with hikers. Double thumbs up. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. The day started with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River. 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. Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes.Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha or, in Spanish, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quixote de la Mancha (changing in Part 2 to El ingenioso caballero don Quixote de la Mancha). "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 . Did the WT late September and it was as good as it gets. 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. Cam. Flower-coated meadow. Mowich River Camp to Longmire-34.91 miles/8,720. Theres also a Wonderland Trail page on FB with lots of ongoing discussion, tips, trail reports, etc. Oh well. 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. 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? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . Do you know where the closest place to purchase MSR Isobutane Fuel canisters since I cannot pack them on the plane? Angel, Tim, and Elly headed back down toward Summerland and their cars, and we headed onward. I also chose the alternate route over Spray Park, last done in 2015. His teenaged son had run for help, and that morning helicopters had been out searching for the body. Youre in for a treat as you head towards Sunrise (the Northeast Entrance of the park) with views that are, literally, other-worldly. Will the permit schedule fit your itinerary? For this I am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail Hike #34, whatever form that may take. I also ate a bunch of chips. Map and compass are not enough in this terrain and the type of weather one experiences there. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. 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. 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. All text copyright me. 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. Ive owned the same model R1 Hoody since 2009. Your email address will not be published. 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). This time when we invited her to join us, she jumped at the offer, and we were once again a group of seven. At its high point, the Wonderland Trail passes over Panhandle Gap, just shy of 6,800 feet. 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. Topping out affords views of Skyscraper Mountain, Mount Fremont, the valleys down to Grand Park, and the Burroughs. #, Some great dirt and some mud! I can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. 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