We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. . It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! It was insanely gorgeous! A bit ironic, but my favorite part was the Spray Park detour. 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. I finally caught them after a couple of miles and enjoyed their spontaneous rap songs (with Skat Master Sarah as DJ) and silliness. You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. 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. Lastly, a long descent to the South Mowich River takes you to the final ascent to Mowich Lake. Below are the primary options for day hiking at Sunrise. Most of my past Wonderland hikes have been in the fall, so this circuit in July provided some significant contrasts. Just a short few minutes walk further and take a look at the unique Devils Pipe Organ, a conglomerate of columnar lava cliffs. The rangers told us we could wait another 3 hours for them to finish the bridge in order to be safer. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. The application opens on March 15 every year. Elly, Angel, and Tim quickly caught up with us, and it made for cheery conversation to catch up with them. 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. Privacy Policy. 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. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. Pass the White River Campground and pick up the trail as it follows Fryingpan Creek up to Summerland. Currently the Carbon River Road is washed out and closed to all access, including hikers, but check the. My Strava stats: Day 1: Longmire to White River (CCW)-34.77 miles/8,787..Day 2: White River to So. Indian Henrys Patrol Cabin is a historic back country cabin built by the National Park Service in 1915-1916. A trail that would challenge me mentally and physically. Highs mid 50-70, Lows mid 30's. Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1c7ah Photos: https://imgur.com/a/J8FHgFs The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150 km) long and encircles Mount Rainier. Ive had the good fortune to hike this most aptly named of pathways on two occasions 2003 and 2014. Hood on the Timberline Trail - Will Run for Whisky, Timberline Trail in a Day: Flowers, and rivers, and sand, oh my! 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. 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. 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. At one point, it crosses a creek and then ascend an evil set of stairs. This is a prime tent spot for the sunset alone, which lights up Rainier at dusk. When to go: July-September. 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. 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. 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. 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. Interested in a celebratory meal after completing the Wonderland Trail? Tasmania, Scotland, New Zealand) / Not too thick/not too thin, warmer than synthetic equivalents when damp. Frequently foggy but no rain. Then I drank another bottle of water and went back to sleep. That family and another couple were swimming and cooling off in the lake, and we quickly joined them. Be careful crossing the river. I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 I think a big reason is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. I also chose the alternate route over Spray Park, last done in 2015. (The ridge is also a great additional 1.5 mi detour starting from Longmire for more views of Rainier.) 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. Mount Rainier National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map), Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland Map. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies (Note: Though not as durable as the pre-2013 models). Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. Once across, we had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews Lake. Just wanted to thank you for a great guide, once again. If you can swing it with the dates, I recommend doing the hike around mid to late September in order to avoid the crowds, the bugs, and if youre lucky, possibly catch the beginning of the fall colours. Running Around Mt. Ive used this merino wool base layer since 2016 for all my hikes in cold/wet conditions (e.g. A bucket list adventure for sure!! After reading many positive reviews, I recently picked these up on Amazon. Hiking the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Trip Report: Wonderland Trail in 3 Days Trip Report Where: Wonderland Trail When: September 20-22 2020 Distance: 93 Miles, 25,000 ft of gain Conditions: Mild. Mike found a bridge on the North Mowich, but the South Mowich had to be forded. The Wonderland Trail quickly became popular with hikers. Day 3: 15.1 miles to North Puyallup River campsite. To access the cascade, head down a short, signposted side trail. Day 4: 13.7 miles to Devil's Dream campsite. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Ex.Con, If you think about it, that would translate to Nightmare and it was indeed a nightmare of bugs. Will the permit schedule fit your itinerary? The right people enhance the experience and make each moment bigger, better, and simply more fun. Otter Symmetry case for iPhone 11 (orange), Trekking Pole Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber. 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. Day 2 - 15.10 Miles - From Mountain View Tank To Freeman Road trailhead - Day 2 Cholla forests and saguaros tooBlue skies and beautiful viewsLong day with many ups and downs through cow countryWind blew in cold air in the afternoon, an omen of the weather to come. Rainier, that shows off its volcanic nature as well as its meadows and forests and glaciers. I can only strive to give back to them as they give to me. It seemed possible that we would have to turn back and give up on our trip. and White River Campground about 7 p.m. Where to Apply for a Wonderland Trail Walk Up Permit My totals were 101 miles with over 25,000 of climb for the 3 days. This was just one of several overgrown sections on day one. 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). Sunrise has many side trails and camps to choose from that are slightly off from the main Wonderland Trail. At Panhandle Gapthe highest point on the Wonderland at 6800 feetwe toasted with a few sips of whisky. The weather around Rainier is very changeable. Yes! First Previous Next Last. Rainier's Wonderland Trail. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, Approx. I encountered a fair number of blowdowns, some requiring crotch -stretching-bark burning gyrations to get around or under behemoth trees. 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. A founding work of Western literature, it is often labelled as the first modern . I judge myself to be in decent shape from hiking, biking and skiing. Hey Swami. 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. Fun little sketchy section on Between Two Ferns However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. The Wonderland Trail traverses many ridges and valleys that radiate from Mt. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. My worst experience on the Wonderland Trail was three days in which it didn't stop raining for even a minute. I wish I had some definitive, trademarkable bit of wisdom to share, but I dont. 3 Best Day Hikes on the Wonderland Trails. 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. Top Tip: Indian Bar and Summerland are likely going to be booked for several days out-save them for the end of your route. As it ended up, both forks of the river are safely bridged now and it was an easy crossing. 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. Longmire Wilderness Information Center; 2. Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. 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. 2.99 + 2.69 Postage. I desire medium danger williswall.com hikethewonderlandtrail.com. I desire medium danger williswall.com hikethewonderlandtrail.com. I highly recommend eating at, , located just down the road from Longmire Wilderness Information Center (. Cheers, When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. Subjective Participant or Objective Observer? The trail is relatively smooth, its not too steep, its all downhill, and its the homestretch. 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