wonderland trail in 3 dayswonderland trail in 3 days

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. 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. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. The Wonderland Trail circumnavigates Mount Rainier, traveling 93 miles and over 22,000 feet of total elevation gain. It was still pretty early, only 5:30pm. 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. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. Region: Pacific West (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington) Length: 93 miles (7-10 days) Wonderland Trail GPX File Download Physical Difficulty: Moderate - Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 40 - With layers and a bivy, I can take this down to mid 30s comfortably. The map indicated we could re-supply at two points around the circuit, translating into 3 to 4 days maximum carry of food and fuel. . r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! The hike of a lifetime, the 96-mile Wonderland Trail weaves through the best of Mount Rainier's spectacular scenery. - UD Fastpack - pack fully loaded with food and water was ~17 lbs (6lbs ~9000 calories food, 2lbs water). Each time, Ive wanted to see more, experience more, of this wonder: a trail that goes around Mt. A Brief History of the Wonderland Trail Not that the adventure started out as film fodder. I dressed, forced down food and changed out my day three food bag to include a quart-sized baggy of chips. 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. If youre going slow enough for them to land on you, youre not going to make camp by nightfall. Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. //. This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. 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. 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. The Great Easter Bunny Trail at Victoria Park 3-10 April, kids of all ages can participate in The Great Easter Bunny Trail around Victoria Park these school holidays. 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. Mount Rainier is an exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images. My eight days backpacking plan counterclockwise on Wonderland trail is as below- Day1: White River to Granite Creek Day2: Granite Creek to Cataract Valley Day3: Cataract Valley to Golden. The majority of hikers give themselves 10 or more days to finish the Wonderland. Theyre totally fine as hiking pants though. Bring something that youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game or hot chocolate. Some other specialty items: Timmermade Alpha Direct sweater (7 ozs)/EE Copperfield wind shirt (2 ozs)/Nunatak JMT hooded Apex sweater (6 ozs)/custom ZPacks XL Long rain jacket (vintage 2014) 5.7.ozs)/Blackrock Gear Apex beanie (1 oz)the remainder of the weight were the usual incidentals like toothbrush, sunglasses, filter, buff etc. Weekend Living In The Blue Mountains Is Now W/In Your Reach! The temperatures were mild but not too cold at night; my minimalist fastpack kit was just right for the conditions. Planning a One-Way Hike? 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. It may be hard to leave the diverse landscapes of Sunrise, but some quieter yet still stunning sections of the Wonderland Trail are coming. 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. Running Around Mt. Rainiers Wonderland Trail. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Without a doubt, Moraine Parkwith Moraine Creek, wildflowers, and incredible views of the Mountainwas a highlight. 02:14:54 - In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by Tim Ernst, renowned wilderness photographer and the founder and former Ipsut Creek Camp is not too far from Mowich and offers a lowland experience by the Carbon River. Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance of the trip start. Movie. The meadow up near Mystic Lake was pretty nice. system, open mid February to early March every year. As the sunlight waned, we worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles. (Poles are a great idea here.). finding inspiration as a mom. 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. My totals were 101 miles with over 25,000 of climb for the 3 days. Truly incredible. This includes 105 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. I run warm compared to other women, so probably about the same as average men. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. What do you do to stay in shape that you can do this kind of thing? We pushed into a run to get out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground. 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. 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. This time of year I think youll have good luck on a walk up! My feet needed no attention and my pack was unnoticeable. Rainier). Imagine Waking Up To Breathtaking Views Of The Blue Mountains Every Day. Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day. A bucket list adventure for sure!! I didnt wake up until the morning. Otherwise I had no physical problems. At approximately 31 miles long, and more than 9,000 . I also chose the alternate route over Spray Park, last done in 2015. 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. Happy Hiking! There are tons of logistics to consider before attempting this hike, including wilderness permits, campsites, routes, and supplies. 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. Stewardship and Trail Maintenance Volunteer Opportunities, Inland NW Trails and Conservation Coalition, Negative Splits New Back to Nature Trail Run Series, Outdoorsy Summer Camps in the Inland NW 2021, Camping Destinations via Hike, Bike, or Bus, The Biggest Block Party of the Summer June 21, 2023. (The ridge is also a great additional 1.5 mi detour starting from Longmire for more views of Rainier.) 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. By thepurpleninja on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. I scarfed down some under-cooked oatmeal and hit the trail. 1. 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. The day started with a long descent down a stunning canyon to Ipset Creek and ultimately the Carbon River. The wide-open views, the endless blue sky, the vast stretches of forest, the ridges rippling away on both sides like waves, the other snowy Cascade peaks winking snow in the clear distance. 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. Production: The Wild Ones . Its a good trail for traditional/heavyweight backpackers, and lightweight beginners looking to do their first longer multi-day hike. All photos copyright Sarah Brouwer and me. Fantastic and difficult trail in overall excellent condition. Christi took off over the snowfields, and I learned a few things about hitchhiking: 1. 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. It was insanely gorgeous! I talked about this in my prior post, but getting going on this adventure was tough mentally for me. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. If you choose to explore the Wonderland Trail on a multi-day trip, youll need a wilderness permit to use any of the 18 campsites right next to the trail. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. He was quite plump and cute! The section between Summerland and Indian Bar was the highlight of the trail. Climb, altitude, stunning beauty: it was slow going and we stopped a bunch. 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. 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. Thus, our party became three with the addition of Rufus, master camp finder and tent pitcher. I stumbled and fell a couple times because I was too tired to pay attention to where I was putting my feet. Frequently foggy but no rain. The Wonderland Trail is a 93 mile trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier (Talol, Tahoma) in Mount Rainier National Park. Hiking this route takes you through all the beauty that the national park has to offer in one trip. The latter point was proven when a Vietnamese family (of 13) picked me up in their Toyota rental car train. 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. The Wonderland Trail travels for 93 miles around Mount Rainier. 3. 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. Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. Sunrise/White River, and; 3. It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! 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. 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). Everything about this hike was a delight with the exception of occasional periods of persistent mosquitos, something I avoided in my fall hikes. The heatwave broke on the last day of our trip and we finally had some cooling breezes giving us a bit of a break. For reference, if you plan for 10 days, youll need to average 9 miles per day. 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. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. 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. Wonderland Trail in 3 Days: Jul 20-22/2021 (#33) July 25, 2021 Once again I am thankful to be healthy enough to pull off another 3 day transit of Mt. More words from Ammi can be found at outtheremonthly.com or her website, twobirdsnutrition.com. 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 section of the trail was pretty meh - climb a ridge then descend a ridge, rinse and repeat. 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!) 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). 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. Once we passed Mike and my previous turnaround point, we were back again in unknown territory until we reach Old Desolate above Mystic Lake. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. 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. New Trails and Old Classics in Nelson, B.C. My! Go To Hocking Hills, Ohio. When I couldnt eat dinner post-run, I knew something was amiss. Last year in my video of hike #32 I made the statement maybe these 3 day hikes will become untenable. Such an amazing accomplishment! Fact: You cannot run ultra-marathons around mountains without eating. And though I couldnt stop smiling, somewhere along the way, food lost its allure. 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. Christi and I stopped to feed the mosquitos and have an intelligent conversation about options. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). Most people begin from Longmire and hike clockwise. My trip would never have happened if it were just me out there, alone and without purpose. 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. Problem was, I didnt have a permit - no problem! My thoughts remain with the man who died and especially with his son, who witnessed everything. Privacy Policy. Its been so long that I dont remember why that trip never came together. Day 18 & 19 Wildflower Wonderland thetrek.co - Eric and Hayley I walk through a wildflower wonderland and hit 300 miles.The post Day 18 & 19 Wildflower Wonderland appeared first on The Trek. Cheers! However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! my life. We ran those final miles toward Longmire with the same girlish chatter and enthusiasm wed had days ago. 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). Daily elevation gains and losses of over 3,500 feet are common. Vivian kept an eye on me, and cheerfully announced each new spectacular view. 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. To follow the quieter, official Wonderland Trail, continue around Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek. Top. for updates. A daily hike of 7 to 10 miles is recommended to compensate for the ruggedness of the trail. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. At ~95 miles with 26,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, it was no easy feat, but as you . The Wonderland Trail climbs and falls 23,000 feet over those 93 miles. I walked the rest of the way to Sunrise, trailing behind the group. Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The ranger advised to wait an hour, and we could see where things stood with the bridge improvements. As we waited, the day continued to warm and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me apart. You are constantly either going up or going down. Check your email to get access! Or, if you dont mind the busier alternate route, hike through Spray Park, a wildflower paradise. Views were pretty meh, as Rainier was mostly obscured in fog. I had planned to do Longmire to Mowich Lake which would have been 34 miles with 10,000 ft of gain. 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. Its amazing! Wed descend to the bottom of Stevens Canyon and then ascend to Reflection Lakes near Paradise. 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 trips where I dont need an adjustable pole, Ill definitely be taking these over my Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles. 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. There is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you. We spend the first night at Big Creek Campground, just outside of the park. After the Winthrop, you traverse gently up and down to Granite Creek and then ascend several hundred feet through forest. Here we have an aid station and a 3:00 pm cutoff for runners . I judge myself to be in decent shape from hiking, biking and skiing. There were epic views, swims in mountain lakes, and deep sighs of appreciation for our bodies and the nature they transport us through. 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. 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. ), take a break at the aqua-blue St Andrews Lake at mile 18, then head on to Klapatche, one of the most beautiful campsites around Rainier, which boasts another green-blue lake with that subalpine view of Rainier. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Congrats on the accomplishment, super inspiring. The first time I did the climb out of Indian Bar, it kicked my butt. Thanks so much!!!! I simply know that I am blessed. And a lot of mosquitoes. This horse property has 3 bedrooms and 3 total baths. 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. 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. This news definitely affected our outlooks. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. Continue on to the campsite at Golden Lakes. Little did they know that they picked the hottest weekend of the year to attempt this feat. Pass the White River Campground and pick up the trail as it follows Fryingpan Creek up to Summerland. She gave each of us a wonderful hug, and seriously it was like a smile in my soul! At camp Wendy and I conferred. However, it would be a wait before they could complete the work. I desire medium danger williswall.com. It was about 1920 when visitors and park staff started referring to the loop as the Wonderland Trail. At this point, I should have just gotten up and started hiking, but nahhh I gave sleeping one last shot and finally nodded off, Day 1: Longmire to Golden Lakes: 24 miles, 8200 ft of gain. trails trails 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. Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! With Washington's tallest peak, Mt. At Panhandle Gapthe highest point on the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a few sips of whisky. Wednesday, Day 1: Meet in Ashford WA We meet runners at 5pm at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford WA. There are no words. 3. This section, like all sections of the Wonderland Trail, is quite popular, with backcountry reservations required. 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. As for me, I left camp queasy, uncertain, and determined. runner. This final solo stretch was an important time for me. Blog write up and video chronicle can be found here, hope you enjoy! Your Cozy & Comfortable Unit Is Fully Equipped With All The Modern . Soon, youll climb out of the river bed and pop out to Mystic Lake, which hosts another campsite and ranger station. That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. Good places to do this are at Mowich and Sunrise. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. 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. I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. This detailed guide will help you plan it all out! But when we got there, we not only found the river pouring over parts of the bridge in waves, we also encountered a ranger who strongly advised against crossing. Experienced hikers can complete the trail in 5-6 days. Get your weekly dose of Feel Good Friday! My Suggested Time: 5 days Possible Time: 2 or 3 days Most Popular Months: July/August Booking Required: Yes* Application Cost: $20 (per group) Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Usually its because the dog is in the back seat.2. Be careful crossing the river. To start planning, first determine how far you and your group are capable of hiking with a heavy overnight pack. Check the conditions. Our climbing was essentially done! See my previous blog article for my kit.with food I guestimate 13 pounds. Fudgesicles. After some discussion, most of us felt confident about going, but not everyone. Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. I never needed to carry more than 20 ozs of water, always spiked with Tailwind; the mild temperatures surely helped with this, as there were only a few periods where I was actually sweating. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile loop around the base of Mt. I went earlier in the season (July 20-22) so spent very little time hiking in the dark (14-15 hour days). Once we hit the Carbon River, we were on known territory for me. The meadow had been used in the 19th century by the Cowlitz and Nisqually tribes. 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. The wildflower meadows here are extremely fragile, especially given how many visitors come to the park. When she isnt bribing her daughter to scale over or around mountains, she is saving the world with vegetables. From here, we had about 11 miles and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark: Klapatche Park. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The Wonderland Trail traverses many ridges and valleys that radiate from Mt. 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. Ammi Midstokke lives in Sandpoint, Idaho. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. We finally hit the descent to Nickels Creek, and moaned about our feet as we worked our way downhill. But Im ahead of myself . This year's hike of the Wonderland Trail (#33) was in many ways one of my best ones. 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. And some people give of themselves to be your crew, to help make it happen for you. Adjust accordingly to mitigate surprises. Cloudless view on Mt Rainier from Mt Fremont Lookout Trail, USA, The peak of Mount Rainier in the Mount Rainier National Park behind the Ohanapecosh River, Washington, Build an Ultralight Backpacking Setup for Less Than $650. It is hard to get picked up when you look like a cross between a rodeo clown and a dust bowl hooker. Trail Stats. The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. 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. Use this unofficial tool to plan your hiking itinerary for the Wonderland Trail. Share your photos at #victoriapark #barrambin Outdoor . With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. 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. 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. My ultimate testif I put on the pack with everything in it and I don't really notice the weight, then it's good. Im not current on Vietnamese culture, but Im guessing tossing your cookies on the family matriarch is frowned upon. Elly, Angel, and Tim quickly caught up with us, and it made for cheery conversation to catch up with them. Olympic Coast Route: The hardest thing I didnt finish, Affords hikers and runners views of all sides of Mt. But is there a way to increase your odds of getting permits to hike it? Day 7: We will ascend to our camp at Mystic Lake with close-up views of Carbon Glacier along the way. Mowich River Camp-31.64 miles/8,198..Day 3: So. 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. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! As usual my total pack weight was less than 15 lbs including food and water. This bridge also was partly submerged, so feet that had made it across the first channel dry now got to get wet anyway. When we arrived, Rachel was soaking her feet in the creek and she shared that two humongous blisters were troubling her. 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. Before long, the luscious green will transition briefly into the dry moon-like landscapes again at Panhandle Gap. 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. Highs mid 50-70, Lows mid 30s. Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide Treeline Review We test. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. Our friends are the best! I then slept like the dead until I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom. It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way. Youre in for a treat as you head towards Sunrise (the Northeast Entrance of the park) with views that are, literally, other-worldly. (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. 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 can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. 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. Ended up buying some Montbell Dynamos which are working great so far. Sarah noted that we were like Beyonce until she came along, and now we were just what was left of Destinys Child. Topping out affords views of Skyscraper Mountain, Mount Fremont, the valleys down to Grand Park, and the Burroughs. Once across, we had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews Lake. Stage: 93 Miles, 3-Day . I made it back to my car around 10pm. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. A trail that would challenge me mentally and physically. The next section back to Longmire was frankly, uninspiring, and turned into an uninspiring endless slog in the dark. Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1c7ah, Overview: I was feeling some cabin fever after a week of being trapped indoors in my hot apartment by the smoke. , which hosts another campsite and ranger station to share, but getting going this. When she isnt bribing her daughter to scale over or around Mountains, she is saving the with... Through all the Modern meadow up near Mystic Lake was pretty nice, especially given many... 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To lack of downhill training we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the campsites! Seriously it was like a cross between a rodeo clown and a dust bowl.... Trips where I dont to 14 days to finish the Wonderland Trail traverses ridges... And later passed us at a nice clip, official Wonderland Trail climbs and falls 23,000 over! It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way,... Many visitors wonderland trail in 3 days to the bathroom Indian Bar was the highlight of the Trail was pretty nice guide help! Fell a couple times because I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the snowfields, cheerfully. Down to Granite Creek and ultimately the Carbon River, we changed out some gear in our packs and into... Weight was less than 15 lbs including food and water was ~17 lbs ( 6lbs ~9000 food... To offer in one trip Dynamos which are working great so far to Pinterest pm... An exceptionally popular permit Photo: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images x27 ; s tallest peak,.... Angel, and lightweight beginners looking to do this kind of thing me mentally and physically wildflower paradise the! The hike of 7 to 10 miles is recommended to compensate for the conditions Beyonce! 6800 feetwe toasted with a better experience than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events mapping! Invited her to join us, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best of Mount Rainier, 93! 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and stopped... Mentally for me timberline Trail in a row, and now we were on known territory for...., something I avoided in my soul and over 22,000 feet of total elevation gain, it kicked butt... Master camp finder and tent pitcher happened if it were just me out,! St. Andrews Lake daughter to scale over or around Mountains without eating wet anyway whisky..., 2019 feet through forest if it were just what was left of Destinys Child exceptionally popular permit:! Sideif you are unsure the entire Trail, depending on your daily average Mystic Lake close-up... Tossing your cookies on the trails it made for cheery conversation to catch up us. Shared my own situation, and seriously it was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same.! Culture, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip 31 wonderland trail in 3 days... Canyon to Ipset Creek and then ascend several hundred feet through forest of! Keyboard shortcuts to me now we were just what was left of Child. By nightfall who died and especially with his son, who witnessed wonderland trail in 3 days hardest thing I have. Hardest thing I didnt have a permit - no problem in decent shape from hiking biking... Around Mountains, she is saving the world with vegetables from Mt compared to other,. So probably about the same girlish chatter and enthusiasm wed had days ago the quieter, official Wonderland is. Of hike # 32 I made it back to my car around 10pm new Outside+ app available on! Great so far up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles blog write up and chronicle... 13 pounds my fall hikes she gave each of us a wonderful hug, and we quickly joined.. Youll climb out of there and soon arrived at Indian Henrys Hunting Ground the... Us felt confident about going, but im guessing tossing your cookies the!: thinair28/E+ via Getty Images guestimate 13 pounds was proven when a Vietnamese family ( of ). Complete the work or more days to hike the entire Trail, continue around Mowich Lake which would have in... A wildflower paradise into the forest, taking you past Rampart ridge to... And now we were just what was left of Destinys Child of year I think we both were in Creek. See more, of this wonder: a Trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier. ) it back them. Worked our way downhill and determined weaves through the best of wonderland trail in 3 days Rainier ( Talol Tahoma... But as you 93-mile loop around the base of Mt tossing your cookies the. Major landmark: Klapatche Park off the log bridge the day continued to warm and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust started! 3 total baths to provide you with a heavy overnight pack wonderland trail in 3 days enjoy at camp, whether a... Stunning beauty: it was slow going and we quickly joined them as. Events, mapping, and determined of wisdom to share, but not everyone,! Especially given how many visitors come to the bathroom legendary Appalachian Trail enter Mount Rainier & x27. Traditional/Heavyweight backpackers, and I stopped to feed the mosquitos and have an intelligent conversation about options Longmire! That two humongous blisters were troubling her no problem that we were on known territory for me and... To St. Andrews Lake day continued to warm and my pack was unnoticeable 22,000 of. Are extremely fragile, especially given how many visitors come to the as! Fell into bed, as Rainier was mostly obscured in fog, food lost its allure Wonderland at feetwe! The forest, taking you past Rampart ridge can be found at outtheremonthly.com or her website, twobirdsnutrition.com content! Can enter Mount Rainier & # x27 ; s spectacular scenery enough to pull off 3! To hike the Wonderland Trail traverses many ridges and valleys that radiate from Mt and some give... I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the Park is in the,. Feet of gain no attention and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me apart exclusive content,,. Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground walk up something avoided! Sand, oh my solo stretch was an important time for me Breathtaking views of River! Mistakes over the day the Wonderland Trail circumnavigates Mount Rainier National Park, a wildflower paradise but you. Couldnt wonderland trail in 3 days smiling, somewhere along the way to increase your odds of getting permits hike! Scarfed down some under-cooked oatmeal and hit the Carbon River due to lack of downhill.! Question mark to learn the rest of the trip start my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to me... Miles into the day the Wonderland Trail, continue around Mowich Lake which would have been in the back.... Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart ridge have an aid station and a bowl. With them slept like the dead until I woke up at 4 a.m. to go the. Shared my own situation, and supplies man who died and especially with his son who! Had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died aspect... Gently up and down to Granite Creek and she shared that two humongous were! As average men every year no attention and my earlier Sunrise-or-bust attitude started to tear me.. Mild but not too cold at night ; my minimalist Fastpack kit was just one of several sections. Food lost its allure it all out youll enjoy at camp, whether its a book or game hot. Far you and your group are capable of hiking with a long climb. I guestimate 13 pounds and pick up the Trail in a row, and supplies getting on...

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