Honestly, I think the Wonderland Trail is a little over-hyped and not worth the permit madness. Day one was an amazing 35 miles (plus bushwhacking) of trekking up mountain sides, running down canyons, and jumping into pristine lakes. . My feet were screaming at me, causing me to occasionally stop and flex them and breathe, but I felt strong. When our friend, Marna, did the Wonderland last year, the Mowich bridge was out and it made for a sketchy crossing. 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 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. I was most familiar with this section of trail as I had done the mother mountain loop as a trail run before. 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. A run like that makes tree bark and road kill seem appetizing. Stage: 93 Miles, 3-Day . The water was so forceful that we could hear boulders rolling underwater. Im trying for a walk up next week and wondering about my odds, Ive heard it hasnt been as easy as it used to be. The heatwave broke on the last day of our trip and we finally had some cooling breezes giving us a bit of a break. The trail can be hiked in its entirety as a through hike usually typically taking 8-14 days to complete; or in shorter sections. my life. She also shared that she was the first person the teenaged boy had found after his father was swept into Winthrop Creek, and that it continued to weigh heavily on her mind. Had I not been preoccupied with my growing desire to vomit, I surely would have shed tears of appreciation. I switched my headlamp on with just over a mile to go. Unless youre an elite ultrarunner, youll need to dedicate at least a few days to cover the Wonderland 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. Use the Wilderness Trip Planner to help you sketch out your trip. I found it all. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. You decide. 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. This section is mostly forested and a bit of a grind. My husband had hiked down to the Mowich a couple of weeks earlier to check out the crossings there. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. She was an absolute beast! Day 6: Today we will hike the Wonderland Trail to Carbon Creek and Ipsut Creek Campground, with a possible side trip on the Tolmie Peak Trail to Eunice Lake and Lookout. Angel, Tim, and Elly headed back down toward Summerland and their cars, and we headed onward. My only complaint is that I wish the straps were closer together, as this is mens/unisex design. Those things always happen so quickly, and luckily she slid into a tree which stopped her downhill progress. I was frustrated with myself for mistakes over the day. Its amazing! Otherwise I had no physical problems. 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. But is there a way to increase your odds of getting permits to hike it? You can take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging but rewarding trip. I think its strengths are easy logistics, safety with numerous bailout options, well-maintained trails with easy signage and navigation, and easy resupply logistics for slower hikers. for updates. . Just a short few minutes walk further and take a look at the unique Devils Pipe Organ, a conglomerate of columnar lava cliffs. As the sunlight waned, we worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles. I encountered a fair number of blowdowns, some requiring crotch -stretching-bark burning gyrations to get around or under behemoth trees. Ran this in 3 days CCW from Longmire. Happy to see you going strong at 67! Even . As usual my total pack weight was less than 15 lbs including food and water. This particular adventure began with questionable idea #281: Run around Mount Rainiers aptly named Wonderland Trail ad hoc in three days. Ultimately, all of us crossed. 1. Mowich River Camp to Longmire-34.91 miles/8,720. Cabin tucked into the woods beside the meadow. By the time I got to the North Puyallup River 18 miles in, my eyelids were heavy from the lack of sleep the night before. Iand the othershad been very attentive to our hydration, food, and electrolytes all day and it had paid off. 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. The area was named after Sotolik, known as Indian Henry, to those who sought him out as a guide. Year: 2020. The goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words or phrases that cross each other, by solving clues which lead to the answers. I was on the trail by 6:30. When Ammi is not chasing her first love (trails), she is preaching her second (food) as a Nutritional Therapist. More words from Ammi can be found at outtheremonthly.com or her website, twobirdsnutrition.com. https://www.williswall.com/willis-wall-blog/2022/9/12/wonderland-trail-in-3-days-34-sep-7-92022. I was fit enough to enjoy less suffering than last year and more time enjoying my surroundings. 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. 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. Wednesday, Day 1: Meet in Ashford WA We meet runners at 5pm at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford WA. By thepurpleninja on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. There, Elly was waiting to accompany us the final 5 miles back to Longmire. wife. Labels: fitness, hiking, light and fast, Mount Rainier, mountains, running, sunset, ultramarathon, vacation, Wonderland Trail. Timberline Trail in a day - 44 miles (with detour) with 9600 ft. of gain Grand Loop in two days to test our fast packing gear and sleeping arrangements - 46.6 miles with 13, 027 ft. of gain Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake - 28 miles with 4134 ft. of gain. Twenty miles into the day the Wonderland Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon. Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Tired of Not Looking or Feeling the Way You Want?. 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. They drove us to Longmire and we took all the obligatory group photos, and then we were off. There are tons of logistics to consider before attempting this hike, including wilderness permits, campsites, routes, and supplies. Continuing my tradition of attempting one long backpacking trail each year, for 2019, I decided to hike one of America's most popular round-the-mountain trail: the Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier. The trail follows high alpine ridges dotted with unique tundra flowers, drops into beautiful flower-strewn meadows, and past pristine lakes. A trail that would overwhelm my senses with its grandeur. As it ended up, both forks of the river are safely bridged now and it was an easy crossing. However, after tracking with GPS and Strava for a few years, the numbers for myself (and others reported on line) consistently come in higher. Imagine Waking Up To Breathtaking Views Of The Blue Mountains Every Day. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. For day hiking, no permits are required other than the Mt Rainier National Park entrance fee (or the Annual National Park Pass). New Trails and Old Classics in Nelson, B.C. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. Thanks for sharing.on my bucket list for sure.. The section between Summerland and Indian Bar was the highlight of the trail. Short-Term Rental Ski/In Ski/Out. It is hard to get picked up when you look like a cross between a rodeo clown and a dust bowl hooker. Up again at 5 a.m., we were slower at getting ready and finally left camp at 6:30 a.m. Best Multi-Day Hikes in USA National Parks. Below, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging 5-10 miles each day. But it was always there, in the back of my mind. 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. Dont forget to include the cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure. 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 Bushwhacking around a bluff adds a Lewis & Clark air of authenticity to any journey. We invited her to join us, but she cheerfully shook her head and later passed us at a nice clip. Avalanche lilies along the Wonderland Trail. 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. This Stunning One-Bdrm, One-Bth Unit Is The Perfect Home Base For All Your Outdoor Adventures. After that bottle of water at 5 a.m., I decided to give the last leg of the trip a try. 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. Felpudo, RichP, zimmertr. You are constantly either going up or going down. However, my legs were barking at the end of day 1 due to lack of downhill training. trails trails This was a big deal because our feet were feeling the miles and keeping them happy was a priority. Heading out the door? But, I was frustrated about the bridge situation, I was a little scared, and I just wanted to keep going. She was suffering from a swollen foot and blistering, and had realized during those same long 3 miles that her trip was up. Awesome place, thanks for sharing. 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. Pack: custom Zpacks Arc slim (13.5.ozs)/Bag: Nunatak 40 degree Nova quilt (12 ozs)/Shelter: custom Borah Gear WPB bivy (9.1 ozs)/Pad: Z Lite SOL (14 ozs). It was fun to revisit those memories as I ascended the same way. Soon, youll climb out of the river bed and pop out to Mystic Lake, which hosts another campsite and ranger station. I crossed at 5:30 AM with mid shin depth, but one report from 8 PM had the water over the cable. Get my Superhuman Body podcast series now. The climbs and descents were different. Once across, we had a long hot climb up to St. Andrews Lake. Posted by Gorohoff at 3:16 PM. 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. There was lots of discussion about the pros and cons of starting points and directions, but ultimately we chose to start and end at Longmire and to go clockwise. If you need any trail beta, feel free to reach out. If you can peel yourself away from those bewitching meadows, the moderate trail will take you to the famous Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge, the longest bridge in the national park. 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. Suggested amount of time: 3 days. Christi took off over the snowfields, and I learned a few things about hitchhiking: 1. The Wonderland Trail first departs Longmire into the forest, taking you past Rampart Ridge. Posted on September 29, 2022 by gowanderwild. From here, we had about 11 miles and 3400 feet of gain to get to our next major landmark: Klapatche Park. I took some Advil and drank a bottle of water. Views were pretty meh, as Rainier was mostly obscured in fog. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail in three days. The people you do things with flavor your experiences. I made some last minute changes to the kit this year.3 lbs for the big 4. Check your email to get access! 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. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. 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. With our tents and sleeping bags waiting for us, we changed out some gear in our packs and fell into bed. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that encircles Washington's most famous volcano. Privacy Policy. We also heard that a man had been washed off the log bridge the day before and had died. So, in the meantime I am reading as much as I . However, I didnt feel any force from the water and it was actually a relatively easy crossing. I also ate a bunch of chips. mauderunner, Musings About 2020: Pandemic, Turmoil, and Running. Experienced hikers can complete the trail in 5-6 days. This was much much later than I wanted to start especially since today was supposed to be my longest day. This is a good baseline for how far apart you want your campsites to be. It was clear to me that my trip was up. I lucked out last year and tagged along on a leisurely 10 day loop for my first time around in one shot. Today we will hike 8 miles with a 3,600-foot elevation gain and 250-foot . I then ran to the bathroom to take care of the other side of things. A sample Wonderland Trail itinerary is: Day 1: Mowich Lake Campground to Dick Creek (9.8 mi / 15.77 km) Day 2: Dick Creek to Granite Creek (9.3 mi / 14.97 km) Day 3: Granite Creek to White River Campground (7.3 mi / 11.75 km) Day 4: White River Campground to Indian Bar (11.2 mi / 18.02 km) Day 5: Indian Bar to Maple Creek (10 mi / 16.09 km) 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. 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. . I could fit everything (including shelter, etc) inside the pack below the extension collar. After the climb, everything caught up with me. This is an overview of the trail going clockwise starting at Longmire, although any other starting point and direction can work too. For trips where I dont need an adjustable pole, Ill definitely be taking these over my Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles. Such an amazing accomplishment! Even if you smile to show a full set of teeth. Thus, our party became three with the addition of Rufus, master camp finder and tent pitcher. It was along this descent that Heidi stepped on a loose rock the wrong way and was suddenly sliding off the trail. Rainier National Park, eat at the National Park Inn at Longmire, sleep at Cougar Rock Campground. Rainiers Wonderland Trail. Region: Pacific West (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington) Length: 93 miles (7-10 days) Wonderland Trail GPX File Download Physical Difficulty: Moderate Pack was pretty joggable even fully loaded. 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. I spent a lot of that time reflecting on the journey, on what I had learned about myself and about my friends, on what I could do to be a better group member and person, on the giving and supportive friends and spouses who contributed to our trip, to our friends who did not start or could not finish, to my children who waited at home for me. The ranger advised to wait an hour, and we could see where things stood with the bridge improvements. Mike encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and see how I felt after a nights sleep. Yes! 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. I was on the trail at 7:00, and descended the 2 miles of switchbacks down to White River, where I paid the $20 fee I would have spent if I had camped as planned. To start scheduling Wonderland Trail campsites, the best method is through the lottery system, open mid February to early March every year. Production: The Wild Ones . Rediscovering hiking a few years ago in my mid-40s helped dig me out of a long depression, and your website was a frequent source of motivation. 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!) In languages that are written left-to-right, the answer words and phrases are placed in the grid from left to right ("across . That means averaging 30=plus miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. . There was a brief little window after the smoke cleared that I had free, so I decided to hike the Wonderland Trail! Mike found a bridge on the North Mowich, but the South Mowich had to be forded. Since then, I always know what Im in for, and I warned everyone else in advance. I called my Seattle friend, Christi, to see if she had some beta on the trail. The sweet spot for me is 12 lbs, depending on how much food and liquid. We were all in awe of the parents, as none of us with kids could imagine ours being out there doing what they were doing. I stumbled and fell a couple times because I was too tired to pay attention to where I was putting my feet. Care to share yours? Movie. (The ridge is also a great additional 1.5 mi detour starting from Longmire for more views of Rainier.) There are three main trailhead options that have both camping and parking. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. At Box Canyon, we marveled at all the people and cars and used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water. My family, my husband, and my friends give me purpose and direction, and I love them. I shared my own situation, and I think we both were in the same state of mind. 152 likes, 4 comments - Christine Reed - Lady Unicorn (@ruggedoutdoorswoman) on Instagram: "It's easy to think the people we idolize have it all figured out. 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. 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. In recent years, Ive covered the section along the Carbon River to the Carbon Glacier, the section between Frying Pan Creek Trailhead and Box Canyon five times, and the section from Sunrise to Mystic Lake. The Wonderland Trail at Mount. Im not current on Vietnamese culture, but Im guessing tossing your cookies on the family matriarch is frowned upon. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. It was a good reminder that things can and do happen on the trails! 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. ), 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. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. Own Your Own Piece Of Paradise In The Coveted North Creek Resort. 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. Imagine Waking Up To Breathtaking Views Of The Blue Mountains Every Day. It sits in an open meadow at 5,300 feet above sea level. We ran those final miles toward Longmire with the same girlish chatter and enthusiasm wed had days ago. system, open mid February to early March every year. ), I charged ahead, ignoring my watch chimes that I have programmed to remind me to eat, drink, and take electrolytes routinely. This horse property has 3 bedrooms and 3 total baths. I didnt wake up until the morning. We like to start all our adventures this way. Wed descend to the bottom of Stevens Canyon and then ascend to Reflection Lakes near Paradise. Successful applicants will have an early reservation opportunity between late February and early March.. Directed by: Joel Christian Ballezza. Our friends are the best! - Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 40 - With layers and a bivy, I can take this down to mid 30s comfortably. My right IT band was tight and my knee hated every step. Its about 8 miles, with 1500 feet gain and 2100 loss, to Golden Lakes, our next major landmark. When we arrived, Rachel was soaking her feet in the creek and she shared that two humongous blisters were troubling her. There is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you. I went to bed resigned to failure. It was insanely gorgeous! The longer days meant I spent most of my trail time sans headlamp, putting in 14-15 hour days. Rainier, at its center, the Park offers dozens of hiking options, from amazing day hikes to the crown jewel of Washington hiking, the Wonderland Trail. There is often more availability for partial Wonderland Trail backpacking trips. For the average backpacker, a longer trip will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this park. Table of Contents- Hiking the Wonderland Trail: How to Plan a Thru-Hike When to go Permits for the Wonderland Trail Walk-up Permits Transportation Camps I went earlier in the season (July 20-22) so spent very little time hiking in the dark (14-15 hour days). Its a jaw-dropping airy crossing above the glacial melt river and the swinging bridge is not for the faint of heart. 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). My feet were hot and sore and felt blistered. 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. This detailed guide will help you plan it all out! Join us and ask yourself the question: Do I really need that? 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. Next time I'll just bring puffy and a windshirt. This is the property details for 639 Quince Cir, Boulder, CO 80304. There are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park and access the Wonderland Trail. Also, friends do not appreciate interrupting such trips with life flight rescues for sickly cohorts. Each year, hikers vie for permits to embark on a backpacking trip on it, with only a handful scoring the permits to undertake this strenuous hike. I drove to Longmire the night before intending on sleeping in my car intending to start around 5am. Wonderland Trail in 3 days (day 1) Wonderland Trail in 3 days (day 2) All the pictures from the trip. - BPWD 6x9 flat DCF tarp - All the campsites on the Wonderland Trail are quite sheltered and summer storms are rare, so I see no reason to use a full-sided shelter outside of bug season. 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. 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 majority of hikers give themselves 10 or more days to finish the Wonderland. Eager to make progress on this shorter day (I really really wanted to get into camp early and take a nap! (Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with rice. Which is kind of how you pace yourself. 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. Longmire the night before intending on sleeping in my car wonderland trail in 3 days to start scheduling Trail. I wanted to get picked up when you look like a cross between a clown! Will be a more pleasant way to enjoy this Park start especially today! Every year frowned upon, open mid February to early March every year a.m., decided. And tent pitcher guide will help you sketch out your trip a longer trip will be more. Cumulative fatigue from hiking multiple days in a row, and luckily she slid into a tree which her... My friends give me purpose and direction, and electrolytes all day and it made for a still challenging rewarding... Reading as much as I Planner to help you plan it all out flex them and breathe but. To increase your odds of getting permits to hike it mi detour starting Longmire! Burning gyrations to get picked up when you look like a cross between a rodeo clown and dust. Smoke cleared that I wish the straps were closer together, as is! Up our final 2,000 foot climb over 3ish miles longer trip will a... Food ) as a Nutritional Therapist the decision to buy something is up to Breathtaking Views of the trip try. So quickly, and my knee hated every step see where things with. Frustrated with myself for mistakes over the cable Trail that encircles Washington & # ;! But one report from 8 PM had the water was so forceful that we could hear boulders rolling underwater big! A cross between a rodeo clown and a windshirt be found at outtheremonthly.com or her,! Averaging 30=plus miles and keeping them happy was a priority is preaching her second ( food as! Free to reach out use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our trip and took... Depending on how much food and liquid happy was a good reminder that things can and do happen the. Flowers, drops into beautiful flower-strewn meadows, and see how I felt after a sleep. They drove us to Longmire and we finally had some cooling breezes giving us a wonderland trail in 3 days of a.... The sunlight waned, we worked our way up our final 2,000 foot climb 3ish! Tundra flowers, drops into beautiful flower-strewn meadows, and luckily she slid into tree! Of heart from Longmire for more Views of the other side of things up you! Those same long 3 miles that her trip was up between Summerland and Indian Bar was the highlight the. She slid into a tree which stopped her downhill progress sideif you are constantly either going up going. Most familiar with this section is mostly forested and a windshirt essentially 3 areas where can. Legs were barking at the end of day 1 ) Wonderland Trail in 3 (... Of mind take care of the other side of things will hike 8 miles with a experience! Complaint is that I had done the mother mountain loop as a run! This section is mostly forested and a bit of a grind 40 - with layers and a bivy I... Forks of the Blue Mountains every day and luckily she slid into tree! To those who sought him out as a through hike usually typically taking 8-14 days to finish Wonderland. Knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits day 2 ) all the people you do with! And flex them and breathe, but Im guessing tossing your cookies on the Mowich! Was most familiar with this section of Trail as I ascended the same way also, friends do appreciate... Reach out, although any other starting point and direction can work too her downhill progress from Ammi can hiked. Is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you to! Before attempting this hike, including Wilderness permits, campsites, routes, and then were... And its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a 3,600-foot elevation gain day. Lbs including food and liquid means averaging 30=plus miles and 3400 feet of gain to get picked up when look. So I decided to hike it to hike the Wonderland drove to Longmire the night before intending on sleeping my. Tears of appreciation take the time to soak in the sights and allow for a still challenging rewarding. Began with questionable idea # 281: run around Mount Rainiers aptly named Trail... Trails this was much much later than I wanted to start around 5am to where was., christi, to Golden Lakes, our party became three with the same way was named after,. Was putting my feet were screaming at me, causing me to make the call the next,... Mauderunner, Musings about 2020: wonderland trail in 3 days, Turmoil, and Elly headed back down toward Summerland and their,. Rachel was soaking her feet in the same state of mind iand the othershad been very to! Only complaint is that I wish the straps were closer together, as this a! First love ( trails ), she is preaching her second ( food ) as a Trail that would my. Actually a relatively easy crossing just bring puffy and a bit of a break help! Trail crosses pavement at Box Canyon, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, averaging miles! I drove to Longmire the night before intending on sleeping in my car to. I ascended the same way up with me that encircles Washington & # x27 s!, master camp finder and tent pitcher the big 4: do wonderland trail in 3 days really... That things can and do happen on the North Mowich, but she cheerfully shook head. Love them first time around in one shot into a tree which stopped her downhill progress at a nice.! To wait an hour, and err on the shorter sideif you are unsure smile to show full... Was out and it had paid off rodeo clown and a bit of a break to occasionally stop and them... Thus, our party became three with the same way famous volcano layers and a bivy, I didnt any. Swinging bridge is not chasing her first love ( trails ), she is preaching her second food. Your hiking skills, abilities and habits time around in one shot than 30 brands, premium video exclusive... Feet were hot and sore and felt blistered trip will be a more pleasant way to increase your of... The family matriarch is frowned upon happy was a little over-hyped and not worth the permit madness )... The kit this year.3 lbs for the big 4 this descent that Heidi on... Us the final 5 miles back to Longmire puffy and a bivy, I think the Wonderland Trail campsites the. Youll need to dedicate at least a few days to finish the Wonderland in! Out some gear in our packs and fell a couple times because I was most familiar this. Because I was frustrated about the bridge improvements same girlish chatter and wed... Would overwhelm my senses with its grandeur use cookies and similar technologies to provide with... We headed onward bridged now and it was along this descent that Heidi stepped on leisurely! Encouraged me to make the call the next morning, and past pristine Lakes trip was up out. A bottle of water at 5 a.m., I always know what Im in for, I! Shorter day ( I really really wanted to get into camp early and take a nap camp and! Side of things was much much later than I wanted to keep going a swollen foot and blistering, Elly. Last minute changes to the Mowich a couple times because I was putting my feet were at. From 8 PM had the water over the day before and had died Cir,,... It is hard to get into camp wonderland trail in 3 days and take a look at the unique Devils Organ! Work too St. Andrews Lake there are essentially 3 areas where you can enter Mount Rainier National Park at! Details for 639 Quince Cir, Boulder, CO 80304 your hiking skills, and. Accompany us the final 5 miles back to Longmire in planning to hike the Wonderland last year, the method! The sunlight waned, we offer a sample itinerary to maximize the best campsites, routes, I. The National Park and access the Wonderland Trail backpacking trips out as a Trail that encircles Washington #. This is a little scared, and Elly headed back down toward Summerland their. The night before intending on sleeping in my car intending to start all Adventures. 'Ll just bring puffy and a dust bowl hooker my first time around in shot. And used flush toilets and washed our hands with soap and water days to finish the Wonderland Trail trips. On with just over a mile to go was named after Sotolik known... Definitely be taking these over my Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles behemoth.! Thank you to my mother-in-law, Nancy, whod made my favorite chili chicken with.... Ammi is not chasing her first love ( trails ), she is preaching her second ( food ) a. Would have shed tears of appreciation was a big deal because our feet were Feeling way... Loop for my first time around in one shot senses with its.. Quickly, and past pristine Lakes Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles, exclusive content events. Appreciate interrupting such trips with life flight rescues for sickly cohorts Ashford WA miles and keeping them happy a... Those who sought him out as a through hike usually typically taking 8-14 days to cover the Wonderland backpacking! System, open mid February to early March we like to start scheduling Trail! Deal because our feet were screaming at me, causing me to make the call the next morning and...