Rainier. They’re the worst ever. Sadly, there are at least five reliable streams on the way to the peak. 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. I thought I could live the quite prehistoric life for a certain period, but the period may not be as long as I imagined. Our desired itinerary for hiking the Wonderland Trail - 12-days, clockwise direction - didn't work out, because so many camping sites were already reserved for nights we would have been there. There are 18 backcountry campsites on Wonderland Trail and two on the Spray Park Route. They are coming from the White River to Stevens Road, which is mostly downhill — smart idea to travel with elderly parents (but downhills are not my favorite…). The nearest Wonderland Trail wilderness camp is Paradise River. We needed something large enough but still form-fitting enough to allow us to run comfortably, so ideally in the 15-20 litre range. The first human I meet on the trail was a trail-runner who runs from Mowich lake to top of the Spray Park. Rainier, Washington. Rainier. I think today is going to be a rather fun and somewhat short day, so I take several breaks along the way. Of course, climate is changing and we’ve seen crazy high snow years and low ones in recent years, so it’s hard to say when the trails will be open, and personal comfort is an important factor. Because of the humidity, the hair does not dry as fast as I want, and cold hair gives me chills. Crazy. And that is Mt. Rainier all the while. You are required to have a permit to camp on the trail. Rainier all the while. It is my first time witnessing a bear family, and I am both scary and astonished. This time, I get help from the other ranger, and she suggests eight days itinerary instead of seven days because Klapatche Park campsite is full on the day three. I also take down the laundry, which ends up not getting a chance to be crisp-dried for a few more days. I don’t know about the condition and learn it the tough way. … I stuff too much with food cache, which caused food coma. Rainier’s summertime, not the usual summer timeframe. She gives me a list of fully booked campsites for the next five days, but as a thru-hike newbie, I still have no idea where to start. The Wonderland Trail doesn’t pass through paradise but it does pass nearby. It might be because I kept myself so busy driving around and hiking lots of trails. The roads usually close in October or earlier if snow hits. Each camp has a composting toilet and a nearby water source. The nearest Wonderland Trail wilderness camp is Paradise River. This time, to walk and finish the trail was my one and only goal for nine days. It makes me very anxious, and it’s not the ideal mindset of a thru-hiker. I have to eat all the fruits (especially bananas) before I start the trail because there are only four trash cans along the trail and the last thing I want to do is carrying rotten banana peels to attract every bug on the trail. The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles long, includes 22,000' of elevation gain and loss, and circumnavigates the tallest point in Washington: Mt. Elevation: 5400 feet or 1645 meters. Solo Backpacking the Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier: Itinerary and Campsite Reviews. It starts to rain as I walk 30 seconds back to my tent site. The diversity of ecosystems keeps the trail feeling fresh. About the Wonderland Trail. Rainier is the tallest and most significant glaciated volcano in the contiguous United States [1]. 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. No wonder everyone I talk while waiting for the WIC to open was attempting the summit climb. Glad I decided to change the campsite from Maple Creek to Nickel Creek because this humid and wet section of the trail drags me deep down. ), snack mixDinner — Spanish Rice, (11.3mi / 18.2km, Elevation Gain & Loss: 1526m & 733m, Total distance: 85.4mi / 137.4km). There are a lot of squirrels and marmots at Summerland. Jan 10, 2017 - Plan custom itineraries for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail with this tool. I’m glad I decided to hike this trail, backpacking, and thru-hiking. My eight days backpacking plan counterclockwise on Wonderland trail is as below-Day1: White River to Granite CreekDay2: Granite Creek to Cataract ValleyDay3: Cataract Valley to Golden LakesDay4: Golden Lake to Klapatche ParkDay5: Klapatche Park to Pyramid CreekDay6: Pyramid Creek to Nickel CreekDay7: Nickel Creek to SummerlandDay8: Summerland to White River. As I reach Longmire, I get to see cars in 6(!) As I have to leave the camp at 4:30 am to get the permit for Wonderland Trail, I decide to sleep in the back seats of the compact rental car. At the Mowich Lake, an old couple is waiting for their son and his friends to come and pick up their food cache. I ask if I can change today’s campsite from Maple Creek to Nickel Creek because I want to cover as much trail as possible to get back to the subalpine region. Claire’s Wonderland Trail Itinerary Box Canyon to Fryingpan Creek (counterclockwise) in 4 days. Our desired itinerary for hiking the Wonderland Trail - 12-days, clockwise direction - didn't work out, because so many camping sites were already reserved for nights we would have been there. Today is the first time I have the dinner on the trail before arriving at the camp. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and sub-alpine areas. We will divide up the group food into our packs and drive to Mt. The Trip The Wonderland Trail is one of the greatest hikes on earth. Of course, climate is changing and we’ve seen crazy high snow years and low ones in recent years, so it’s hard to say when the trails will be open, and personal comfort is an important factor. The Wonderland Trail is aptly named. The views are spectacular. On the national park web page, Paradise Wilderness Information Center(WIC) seems to open the earliest at 7 am, while other WICs open at 7:30 am. I want to take a dip, so I get naked and jump into the lake. Despite all the low, slow, and cold days, I will thru-hike again and again. See what trailhead is closest to where you live, and works best with your itinerary. Fastpack trail descriptions & Strava links: 90 total miles, 27K vertical feet Day One of the Wonderland, Longmire to Mowich: 34 miles, 11K vertical feet []. The river presents the spectacular view of some peaks and waterfalls, and the churning water makes super loud noise. Fuel for Today: Breakfast — Oatmeal with mango, small apple, one big bananaSnack — three small bananas, Chex MixLunch — Shinramyun, 200kcalDinner — Instant potato (with four cheese seasoning, nutritional yeast, freeze dried veggie & black bean), 7/4/2018 1030am-530pm: Granite Creek to Cataract Valley, (10.9mi / 17.5km, Elevation Gain & Loss:903m & 1318m, Total distance: 19.3mi / 31.1km). Rainier’s summertime, not the usual summer timeframe. The map waypoint shows the Wonderland trail starting at Longmire, with the trail over Rampart Ridge. Now, I have to divide my food into three parts so I can pack one part into my backpack and make two bucketfuls of food cache to be kept at Longmire WIC and Mowich Lake’s Cabinet. The Wonderland Trail is really only accessible during the summertime. It is also the longest, thickest and largest volume of any glacier in the lower 48. I also check out the bucketful of food cache from Longmire WIC. I guess nine days of solo backpacking wasn’t as easy as I think. The trail passes through deep rain forests, crosses tall mountain passes, alpine meadows and glacial streams. On the Wonderland Trail there are 18 established camps (plus two more on the … One of the most critical aspects is the mosquitos. 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. Today covers the shortest distance of the entire trail. #wonderlandtrail #womenwhohike #girlswhohike #womenwhoexplore #thrihike #solobackpacker #pnw #mountrainiernationalpark #findyourpark #optoutside #hikertrash #hyperlitemountaingear #lifepoints #ultralightbackpacking #mountrainiernps #mountrainier #nps #ultralight #freezedriedcooking #wonderfulwildwomen #altra #zerodays #dirtbag #hikingadventures #sheexplores #backpacker, How I Flew First Class To Japan For $176 USD, How to Keep From Getting Lost in the Wilderness, I Learned My Greatest Life Lesson in Rural Africa. I talk while waiting for the WIC to open was attempting the summit climb so driving... As easy as I walk 30 seconds back to my tent site and only goal for nine of... 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