Hiking the wonderland trail in washington the adventure junkies. Or, attempt to acquire a firstcome, firstserved permit first, download a copy of the wilderness trip planner. Bonus wonderland itineraries hikingthewonderlandtrail. In 1946, the first 4 volumes were reissued in red high embossed bindings, with each volume split into two, and the volumes were renumbered. Two books i recommend are hiking the wonderland trail. The wonder trail is the story of steves trip from part travel book, part pop history, part comic memoir, helys writing will make readers want to reach for their backpack and hiking boots. The wonderland trail wt is 93 miles 150kms long and encircles mount rainier. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until september. This post is my best attempt to never again answer any questions 74% kidding. Often we camped on the edge of sites, and the rangers did not give us any grief. I used a hard copy edition of this book to plan my wonderland hike since i still really like good oldfashioned books and then downloaded the kindle version to. Either will give you a good idea of what to expect on the trail itself. On this trek, we combine sections of the wonderland trail and northern loop trail, exploring some of the most fascinating and famed areas of mt.
The wonderland trail is an adventure of about 90 miles encircling washington states mt. The trail overlay on this map is not accurate enough for safe navigation and is meant for casual reference only. Preparing to hike the wonderland trail with kids jess connell. The trail passes through all of the major life zones in the park, from lowland forests of douglasfir and hemlock, past rivers, up to subalpine meadows with wildfowers and glaciers everywhere you look.
The complete guide to mount rainiers premier trail is an authoritative guidebook penned by washington native tami asars, a professional instructor on hiking the trail, a thirdgeneration hiker of the cascade mountains, and seventime hiker of the entire wonderland trail. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the wonderland trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Left turns 2017 wonderland trail journal after thru hiking the at in 2014, i hope to do some multiday hikes that are shorter than one month in duration. Guide to hiking the wonderland trail halfway anywhere. When members of my local hiking group in western north carolina invited me to join them on the wonderland trail, i jumped at the chance to do it. Wilderness trailside camp wilderness patrol cabin 1 south mowich river 4 1 2605 revised 206 frontcountry campground camping by permit is also allowed in undesignated sites within crosscountry and alpine zones throughout the park. 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.
The map waypoint shows the wonderland trail starting at longmire, with the trail over rampart ridge. Food can either be mailed in advance of the hike, or you may drop it off at the cache location once you arrive in the park. Aug 24, 2014 hammocking is reasonably easy on the wonderland trail, trees are pretty plentiful. And the good news is that while a shorter hike requires a more structured day to ensure you cover the necessary miles, it also offers more flexibility. Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable experience shared with three good friends. To plan my wonderland trail hike, i bought three different books, including this one. Rainier with the hopes of through hiking the wonderland trail. For hikers on the wonderland trail there is the option to cache food at several locations along the 93 mile 150km route. My advice for anyone wanting to section hike the wonderland trail.
Aug 26, 2017 after a leisurely lunch at a picnic table outside the lodges dining room, we descended on the alum cave trail from mt leconte to the alum cave parking area. Mountaineers books is still shipping books and were offering a 25% discount on all consumer orders. To learn more about how i prepared for my wonderland trail hike and to read my journal of each day on the trail, read on the wonderland trail blog. On the date that i finished the wonderland, i wasnt sure if i could do it again, but three days post the thru hike, i forget all the rough events i go through and think i can go for another. Last summer, we hiked the wonderland trail with our 7 kids ages 14 down to 18 months. Encircling mount rainier by bette filley 2006 edition. The wonderland trail is rated the number one long trail in america and is located in mt. Mount rainiers wonderland trail the complete backpacking.
Coming from wisconsin, im new to the cascades region and elevation changes in general, so hiking mount rainiers wonderland trail last july was my true initiation to living here. Jun 10, 2015 below is a slideshow from my 2014 wonderland trail hike. If you cant get a reservation its still possible to visit many stretches of the wonderland trail. Even singleminded climber and contributing editor john harlin iiiafter twice summiting mt. If you need information on the wonderland trail, this is a great book to use and have for your hike or camping. Published july 25th 2012 by mountaineers books first published january 1st 2012. Official companion app to hiking the wonderland trail guidebook by tami asars. I say hopefully because this years permit system is a bit of a dumpster fire. My girlfriend and i noticed a poster of a missing wonderland trail hiker from months prior as two oddly calm nps rangers issued our backcountry permit, securing our campsites for the next eight nights on our loop around mount rainier a tidy 93. Wonderland trail, located near ashford, washington is a 93 mile backpacking and hiking trail. The planning, the long ups, the long downs, and the emotional roller coaster inbetween.
Whether you intend to complete the entire circuit or only want to explore sections of it, you will be awed by stunning alpine scenery and rich biodiversity, all with the mighty. The wonderland trail is a 93mi 150 km circuit around mount rainier in washington. I first picked up this book because of its beautiful colored photos and my sheer curiosity about the wonderland trail. Unfortunately things did not go as well as i had hoped due to a bum knee but i was able to hike a 30 mile section of the wonderland and see areas like indian bar, panhandle gap, summerland, and the sunrise visitor center. I am feeling more confident about my readiness to tackle the wonderland trail in a little over a week.
The complete guide to mount rainiers premier trail. Hiking the wonderland book a complete guide to the wonderland by a washington native thats hiked the trail seven times. To be ready to fill out permit requests, you need expert advice from people who have planned, and executed, a wonderland trail hike. The trail is rugged and has over 22,000 feet of elevation change, which is the equivalent of climbing to the summit of mount rainier, twice. The wonderland is a 93mile loop trail around mount rainier, with 22,000 feet of elevation gain. This is solely because of the free shuttle service from ashford to. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and subalpine areas. The complete guide to mount rainiers premier trail comprehensive and affectionate guide to one of the nations iconic wilderness trails everything you need to help plan this 93mile trek, whether in one trip or several lavish, fullcolor design, yet informative and practical, with 125 photographs and 18 maps washington states famed wonderland. Rainier, the wonderland trail, a complete trail journal and information for planning your own wonderland trail adventure. The total mileage for day 2 was 11 miles, giving lane and me a trip total of 25. With an impressive array of flora and fauna, the wonderland passed by read more. Also, if youre planning on hiking the wonderland trail beginning after september 28, you are required to get a walkup permit first come, first served.
Wonderland trail map pdf the wonderland trail adventure 93 miles circumnavigating mt. The trail conditions vary from from wellmaintained and clearly marked to difficult to find the way. In the days since finishing, ive received many questions mostly about permits, more on that below about the trail. Heres a look at how to prepare for a 57 day thruhike of the wonderland trail. The wonderland trail is the famous circumnavigation of mt. Aug 15, 2016 my wonderland trail thruhike gear list this week, i, along with a pair of friends, will hopefully set out to thruhike the wonderland trail. Bonus wonderland itineraries hiking the wonderland trail guidebook contains itineraries from 7 days both clockwise and counterclockwise, starting from the most popular locations longmire, sunrise and mowich lake. Book trails was originally published as an 8 volume set in 1928 in blue lowembossed bindings with colored pictures on the front. You do not need a permit to day hike, and there are access points to the trail all around the park. Aug 30, 2016 in my last post my wonderland trail gear list i unveiled my intentions to thruhike the wonderland trail. People have taken anywhere from 20 hours to 15 days to hike the entire thing. Caching food and fuel mount rainier national park u. Rainier, it was a stunning trek through glacial valleys and alpine meadows. Start by checking out this website, and note the woman who also wrote a book about how to tackle this trail.
Rainier is a serious trek to be considered only by skilled and trained individuals. If you need a map for navigation, the best one available is the national geographic mount rainier national park map. Wonderland trail walkup permits are available on a firstcome, firstserved basis at each of the four ranger stations. First 10 days sunny and last day foggy for some awesome picture effects. The complete guide to mount rainiers premier trail by tami asars 2012 and discovering the wonders of the wonderland trail. Im happy to report that we i hiked with a pair of friends accomplished just that. Sep 10, 20 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 also used that time to write a daily wonderland trail blog. The wonderland trail is a 93mile hiking trail that encircles washingtons most famous volcano. This guide covers all you need to know to hike the wonderland trail.
April 1, 2020 due to the high number of requests, reservation requests for the wonderland trail are not accepted after march 31. Home forums general forums general lightweight backpacking discussion wonderland trail in october viewing 10 posts 1 through 10 of 10 total forums are supported by our merchant partners disclosure rei coupons zpacks hyperlite patagonia arcteryx rbtr drop backcountry feathered friends campsaver. Backpacking the wonderland trail around mount rainier. Rainiersays hiking the wonderland trail was the more ambitious undertaking, the one that reveals the mountain in all her glory. A brief look at mount rainiers wonderland trail, and what to expect from the newly released book hiking the wonderland trail, by tami asars. Day 1, hitting the wonderland trail at the sunrise trailhead and hiking into berkeley park. You can stay in car campgrounds or lodging in or near the park. Apr 11, 2016 with every turn, the wonderland trail reveals glaciers, cascading waterfalls, subalpine meadows, lush stands of temperate rainforest, rivers, lakes, canyons, all set to an expansive backdrop of washington and the everchanging profile of mount rainier. Wonderland trail pretrip shenanigans tomorrow is the big day. May 10, 2016 if you enjoy long days on the trail, a 57 day thruhike of the wonderland trail might be perfect for you. A 93 mile circumnavigation of washingtons iconic mt. Reservation requests may still be submitted for itineraries other than the wonderland trail. Wonderland trail is a backpacking, hiking adventure located in or near ashford, wa. Feb 14, 2017 guarantee yourself the best view of this glaciated massif.
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