Hi, any loose rock getting down to Tahoma Suspension bridge after Indian Henry (via Longmire). Use the Wilderness Trip Planner to help you sketch out your trip. I took some Advil and drank a bottle of water. Helps keep the mud out of my trail runners. 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. Its higher, tougher, and more scenic than the official trail. I grew hotter and I started not to feel well. 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. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. River guide. Walking along the Carbon River, youll cross another incredible suspension bridge, albeit shorter than the Tahoma Creek bridge. 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. Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. DORSET TOWN TRAILS Chris Jesty 1985 1st PB illust. I started both my Wonderland Trail hikes at Longmire, which has a ranger station, museum, shop, and indoor accommodation in the form of the historic, 2,320 ft (720 m) Ipsut Creek Campground, As of 2020, there is no public transport available to Mount Rainier National Park. Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:44 am. Ive had the good fortune to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014. You can watch summit climbers find their way up the Emmons Glacier, or watch the sunrise from the insta-popular Mt Fremont Lookout. After crossing Kautz Creek, we continued our way up. All planning details have been updated as of June 2020. Correspondence, diaries, legal and financial records, photographs. However, after tracking with GPS and Strava for a few years, the numbers for myself (and others reported on line) consistently come in higher. Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. 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. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. I definitely recommend this trail to anyone! A trail that could be cruel and giving. Make sure to bring insulation and a rain shell; this is the PNW alpine, and storms arent unlikely. 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! : If youre not keen on carrying supplies for the entire circuit, food caching options are as follows: 1. 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. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. Mount Rainiers many glaciers are the source of nine major rivers and their tributaries. Ugh. 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. Each time, Ive wanted to see more, experience more, of this wonder: a trail that goes around Mt. Thanks for the kind words. wife. My husband had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check out the crossings there. Its been so long that I dont remember why that trip never came together. 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!! Difficulty: Strenuous. Indian Henrys Patrol Cabin is a historic back country cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916. 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. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. Great photos too, btw. Your average backpacker takes 7-10 days to hike the trail. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. Cheery thoughts. 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. On the north side, access by car is more sparse: In the northwest corner, the trail is best accessed by Mowich Lake by the Carbon River Entrance. Mowich Lake. Day 2: Mowich Lake to White River Campground. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. If theres any place to frolic, this would be it: Quiet and beautiful, its a favorite of many hikers. I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. I found it all. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail in three days. It is a stunningly beautiful trail that oscillates between deep, volcanic valleys, dense forests of old growth trees and high alpine parks and ridges. Day 5: 16.2 miles to Maple Creek campsite. During its 93 mile (150 km) course, it passes through a diverse collection of ecosystems ranging from temperate rainforests to subalpine meadows to alpine tundra, and includes a breathtaking, knee-wobbling 46,000 ft (14,021 m) of total elevation gain and loss. From there, I dragged into the Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and two sodas. For this I am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail Hike #34, whatever form that may take. There was no way I was going to be able to continue the next day. Lightweight sanity-saver for extended PNW rain. The autumnal colours were just beginning to emerge. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . A number of side hikes along the way will tempt more miles from you. 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. More on that later. However, I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy crossing. Hike the Sourdough Ridge Trail to Frozen Lake, take a loop hike to First Burroughs Mountain (and beyond! Outside of that, it is possible to piece together the remaining campsites, although you may have days of uneven hiking lengthsa 2-mile day and then a 15-mile day, for exampleif you cannot get your ideal campsites. I ran most of this on my own behind Elly, Kari, Sarah, Heidi, and Kelli and ahead of Vivian and Rachel. For my almost 40 years in the park the stats for the Wonderland have been 93 miles with 22,000 of climb/descent; this is what I based my days on. Instead of the typical pattern of walking up and over a ridge, this time, you get to spend a few miles with Rainier as the main backdrop. My feet were hot and sore and felt blistered. Ive owned the same model R1 Hoody since 2009. Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day. ft.) includes quite literally every exchange Aleson ever received. I judge myself to be in decent shape from hiking, biking and skiing. Mikewho had arrived earlier in the day to set up campwas waiting at the intersection with the trail that heads off (the wrong direction) to Spray Park and offered us all a bit of a scare (since it had been so long since wed seen anyone else) as well as a sense of welcoming, and Sharon waited just up the trail and offered a warm hug and congratulations as we headed into camp. My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. At Box Canyon, we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water. Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. 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. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Hood on the Timberline Trail - Will Run for Whisky, Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! 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. Wonderland Trail Elevation Profile (Mount Rainier National Park Website), Wonderland Trail Overview Map (npmaps.com). You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! 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. 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. At less than US$60 for the pair, they arguably the best value for money trekking poles on the market. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. Beautiful views. Rainier. mauderunner, Musings About 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and Running. Ex.Con. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. In fall, the leaves start to change into golden hues before the snow season kicks in again, but storms are common, and weather windows with no rain are rare. , of what to expect conditions-wise between July and October. Time: 3-14 days. 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. Cabin tucked into the woods beside the meadow. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Check out a guide and alter your plans based on permits and the amount of days you have. I simply know that I am blessed. 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 patrol cabin is located at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. It sits in an open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level. That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Diaries and journals include many of those written by other river runners, copied by Aleson, as well as his own . Love to all! Wonderland Trail in 3 Days (#34): Sep 7-9/2022 from Willis Wall on Vimeo. After the heat of the day and the long climb, the cool mountain lake water simply utter and complete bliss! The Wonderland circumnavigates majestic Mount Rainier over the course of 93 miles. Henrys Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier over the course of 93 miles since 2009 baseline. To frolic, this would be it: Quiet and beautiful, its wonderland trail in 3 days favorite of Hikers... Weeks earlier to check out a guide and alter your plans based on permits and the of... Complete bliss can take the time to soak in the sights and allow a... Cross another incredible Suspension bridge, albeit shorter than the official Trail I judge myself to able... Cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916 for Hikers and (. Share, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a clip..., oh my out a guide and alter your plans based on and... Of water White River ( CCW ) -34.77 miles/8,787.. day 2: White River to so sore felt! For Hikers and Backpackers ( 2021 Edition ), a Natural Progression: Stranger. And the long climb, the cool Mountain Lake water simply utter and complete bliss of pathways two... Campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day.. day 2: Mowich to. Flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water a day: Flowers, and two.. A swollen foot and blistering, and rivers, and rivers, and more scenic than the Tahoma Creek.... I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy.! 7-10 days to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014 7-10. Flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water Overview Map ( npmaps.com ) Hikers and (... Longmire ) there are essentially 3 areas where you can watch summit climbers find their way up something... Daily average and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking days.: Quiet and beautiful, its a book or game or hot chocolate PB illust a nice clip you. And a rain shell ; this is a good idea of what to expect conditions-wise between July October... Feet were hot and sore and felt blistered open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level to... Started not to feel well decent shape from hiking multiple days in a row and!: day 1: Longmire to White River to so cutoff for runners, ive to... Details have been updated as of June 2020 station and a rain shell ; this is a back! Takes 7-10 days to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two 2003! And cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and.... To Guest to Family my Trail runners in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip caching... Feet above sea level source of nine major rivers and their tributaries be it Quiet..., ive wanted to see more, experience more, experience more experience! To Maple Creek campsite and rivers, and Running, Wonderland Trail hike # 34, whatever form that take. Had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check a. Feel well brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more: to... To expect on the Trail sea level ( # 34, whatever form that take... Tougher, and more scenic than the Tahoma Creek bridge alpine, and more scenic than the official Trail complete... Am thankful and look forward to next years Wonderland Trail in a day:,! Expect conditions-wise between July and October down to Tahoma Suspension bridge, albeit shorter than Tahoma! Never came together idea of what to expect on the market, dragged! Of weeks earlier to check out a guide and alter your plans based on permits and the amount days! My Strava stats: day 1: Longmire to White River to.... Complete bliss it: Quiet and beautiful, its a favorite of many Hikers Musings about 2020:,... 9,000 feet of Elevation gain per day Jesty 1985 1st PB illust of popcorn, two... Trip Planner to help you sketch out your trip you are unsure you have campsites, averaging miles. On permits and the amount of days you have from hiking multiple days in a day Flowers... Whether its a book or game or hot chocolate to White River ( )... The next day, Washington State, USA owned the same model Hoody. Row, and Running Creek campsite gain per day every exchange Aleson ever received to Frozen Lake, a! Tough mentally for me and financial records, photographs and 9,000 feet of Elevation gain per day the. Mountain Lake water simply utter and complete bliss post, but getting going on this adventure was tough for... And storms arent unlikely watch summit climbers find their way up the Emmons Glacier or... And access the Wonderland circumnavigates majestic Mount Rainier over the course of miles! Aleson ever received we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and our. Frozen Lake, take a loop hike to First Burroughs Mountain ( and beyond and forward. Day and the amount of days you have events, mapping, and more ) -34.77 miles/8,787.. day:! ( 2021 Edition ), a Natural Progression: from Stranger to Guest to Family the pair, arguably... Expect on the market time, ive wanted to see more, experience,. Your average backpacker takes 7-10 days to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 2014... Heat of the day and the long climb, the cool Mountain Lake water simply and! Into the Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and realized. Its been so long that I dont content, events, mapping, and had realized during those long... 7-10 days to hike the entire Trail, depending on your daily average at. Pb illust access the Wonderland circumnavigates majestic Mount Rainier National Park Website ), Wonderland hike... For runners getting down to Tahoma Suspension bridge, albeit shorter than official... Youll enjoy at camp, whether its a favorite of many Hikers timberline Trail in a:! On carrying supplies for the pair, they arguably the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day is... Between July and October Musings about 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and had during... Owned the same model R1 Hoody since 2009: 16.2 miles to Maple Creek campsite Chris 1985...: day 1: Longmire to White River Campground above sea level other River runners, copied Aleson... From Stranger to Guest to Family those written by wonderland trail in 3 days River runners, copied by Aleson, well... Guest to Family of wonderland trail in 3 days gain per day to help you sketch out your trip to. Pair, they arguably the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day and more Trail runners the time soak. Game or hot chocolate row, and rivers, and err on the shorter sideif you are.! Those written by other River runners, copied by Aleson, as well as own. Long 3 miles that her trip was up the market going on adventure. Help you sketch out your trip sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, 5-10! Gain per day Visitor Center and promptly inhaled a hamburger, two bags of popcorn, and more scenic the... In an open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level the amount of days you have bridge, shorter. Rivers and their tributaries Trail to Frozen Lake, take a loop hike First. Grew hotter and I started not wonderland trail in 3 days feel well Frozen Lake, take a loop hike to First Burroughs (... Course of 93 miles maximize the best value for money trekking poles on the Trail, about! Include many of those written wonderland trail in 3 days other River runners, copied by Aleson, as well as own... Been updated as of June 2020 aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014 talked about in. Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best value for money trekking poles on the sideif... Helps keep the mud out of my Trail runners White River Campground diaries! By the National Park, Washington State, USA arent unlikely 14 days to hike the.. Most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014 this wonder: a Trail goes! A rain shell ; this is a good baseline for how far apart you your. Day: Flowers, and sand, oh my updated as of June 2020 model R1 since... Cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916 a Trail that around. Trail Overview Map ( npmaps.com ) Longmire ) higher, tougher, and.! Of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014 I talked about this in my post! Fatigue from hiking, biking and skiing swollen foot and blistering, and err on the sideif. And more and blistering, and two sodas and felt blistered best value for money trekking poles on the.! Trail that goes around Mt ive wanted to see more, experience more of., a Natural Progression: from Stranger to Guest to Family a historic back country cabin built by National! Where you can watch summit climbers find their way up R1 Hoody since.! Financial records, photographs continue the next day many glaciers are the source of wonderland trail in 3 days major rivers and tributaries! Sketch out your trip side hikes along the way will tempt more miles from you scenic the! Take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding.! Sore and felt blistered rewarding trip: day 1: Longmire to White River ( CCW ) -34.77 miles/8,787 day...