Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Wed afternoon, gales from the SSE by Thu night). All narratives fall short of capturing the true magic of a journey, but this will at least record some of the events which occurred on the high mountain. Here is a list of all the campsites along the Wonderland Trail with distances to the next campsite (in each direction). While summer is often dry and sunny, oceanic influences can also bring moisture as rain or snow at higher elevations. Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Mon night. Simply put, the Wonderland Trail should be on every backpacker’s bucket list. However, according to the park’s website, the first wildflowers of this … If there is bad weather the day of your appointment, it will be rescheduled or you will be issued a credit for a future date. Here are some example itineraries (all going clockwise): As discussed in the permit section above, you can also hike the Wonderland Trail without in permit if it's done as a three-day trip: Most people would probably consider the Wonderland Trail a long-distance backpacking trip, and so it's generally recommended that you pack appropriately for what could be an adventure of up to 15 days (if you're really taking advantage of those 14 nights allowed by the permit). If you do not get a permit, your application fee is not refunded. Live weather reports from Wonderland weather stations and weather warnings that include risk of thunder, high UV index and forecast gales. Weather on the Wonderland Trail is controlled by the mountain itself. BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Unfortunately, this is not an option. Luckily, there are three frontcountry campsites spaced fairly evenly around the Wonderland Trail, Mowich Lake Campground, Cougar Rock Campground, and White River Campground. The Wonderland Trail is an approximately 93-mile (150 km) hiking trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, United States.The trail goes over many ridges of Mount Rainier for a cumulative 22,000 feet (6,700 m) of elevation gain. Washington and the Pacific Northwest is notorious for rain. In years with mild winters, it’s possible to drive the entire road, but if there’s early snow, it might be difficult to get beyond mile marker 15. I'm constantly trying to evolve my backcountry food game (i.e. We look forward to riding with you! Also, the popular Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival takes … I hiked the Wonderland Trail over three days in September and had one day of rain, one day of clouds, and one beautiful day of most glorious sun. Is it the greatest thing ever and should you be crushed if you don't end up getting a permit? According to the weather forecast, the rest of the trip was going to be warm. View all Trails Trail / … 3.5″ of rain and snow expected for Wed-Thu. Maps. The most popular time for hiking the Wonderland Trail is from mid-July through mid-September. Apr 19, 2018 - Explore Jordan Woolston's board "Wonderland Trail" on Pinterest. The Wonderland Trail was the only Pacific Northwest entry, and speed records on the Mount Rainier loop ended up changing hands more times than any of the other routes. Beautiful forest trail, small roots, few rocks, small features, nearly all with ride-around options. This was the last cold day with a possibility of light rain, but nothing like day one. White River WIC As you would expect from a national park, the physical trail is brilliantly maintained and there is infrastructure for every water crossing. Your time on the Wonderland Trail will be split above and below the tree line – which is 6,500 to 7,500 ft (1,980 to 2,286 m) in Mount Rainier National Park. I'm always looking to improve my hiking guides (and, more specifically, Wonderland Trail-specific information), if you have any suggestions to improve or update this guide, please leave a comment below or get in touch. There are no public transportation options for getting to Mount Rainier National Park. There are four ranger stations where Wonderland Trail permits may be picked up or applied for as a walk-up. Mowich Lake is a free, primitive campground (pit toilets) with a self-registration booth in the parking lot. No, it's certainly not that. See the links below the 12-day Wonderland weather forecast table for other cities and towns nearby along with weather conditions for local outdoor activities. Goal Baseweight (BPW): Currently around 12.5 lbs. Washington,  Wonderland Trail Hiking Guide,  Washington. Wonderland. Though definitions vary of what constitutes a long distance hike, nearly every list will include the Wonderland Trail, albeit, usually the shortest one. That said, hitchhiking is technically illegal within Mount Rainier National Park, but I would be surprised if a ranger gave you trouble for hitchhiking somewhere safe and out of the road. Elliott Wolin. Cougar Rock and White River Campgrounds are full-service campgrounds (flushing toilets) with campsite fees of $20 each. A backcountry permit for Mount Rainier National Park allows for a maximum stay of 14 nights, which means that if you want to complete the Wonderland Trail on a single permit, you will need to average at least 6.64 mi / 10.69 mi per day. Later becoming colder with a dusting of snow on Tue night. Because of the Wonderland Trail's length (93 mi / 150 km), many hikers elect to resupply at some point during their hikes instead of carrying an ungodly amount of food from the start. My plan is to start around 10am PT from Box Canyon and head clockwise around the mountain. * NOTE: not all weather stations near Wonderland update at the same time and we only show reports from the nearest stations that are deemed current. South Mowich River camp has a neat little shelter, but the weather was so incredible no one had to use it. The Wonderland Trail is a true gem of the Pacific Northwest. The Wonderland Trail is quite literally, a walk in a park. make healthier decisions) and I think I did a solid job fueling my three-day circuit of the Wonderland Trail. And if you are really dead set on hiking it, just head to the park with plenty of time to spare and try for a walk-up permit. The forecast proved to be correct and the rest of the trail time was very warm. Would like to be closer to 11-11.5/keep total pack weight around 20-21.Also I'm fudging this to risk the anger of the Ultralightjerk gods, but my camera gear in my waist pack is not being counted towards my … Wonderland Trail early September – probably 40 F to 70 F, no rain, but sometimes it gets down to 32 F and could rain the whole time – check weather report before you go and maybe adjust gear slightly I just wear a base layer that also provides sun/bug protection, and an eVent or Gore-Tex jacket for wind/rain protection. This is a rough image of the route.I'll be starting at and departing at White River TH. Longmire, WA 98397 Is the Wonderland Trail worth it? Want to know how far you are from the next campsite or water source? The Wonderland Trail is the ultimate hiking experience at the park for those with the skill and endurance to take it on. enjoy a scenic trail ride for the whole family. Packed my … Hikers can find both company and solitude along the way. APPLYING ONLINE: You can apply online for a Wonderland Trail permit beginning March 15 each year. Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. From that high point, we had a long, five-mile downhill stretch dropping over 3,000 feet to the Carbon River and our second suspension bridge on the Wonderland Trail. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail. The closest major cities are Seattle, Tacoma, and Yakima in Washington or Portland, Oregon. Depending on this last weather cell pushing through, either Tomorrow (9/15) or Monday (9/16) I will attempt the Wonderland Trail unsupported & solo around Mt Rainier, carrying my own gear/food and getting water from natural sources. Spray Falls (via the Spray Park Trail) is also a popular day hike from Mowich Lake Campground. Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Doing a clockwise thru hike of the Wonderland Trail over 9 days/8 nights in mid-August starting at Longmire. The highest point on the Wonderland Trail is Panhandle Gap (6,750 ft / 2,060 m); the lowest point on the Wonderland Trail is Ipsut Creek Campground (2,300 ft / 701 m). So far, I heared that it'll likely be snowed in and from another person, that it'll be fine. All that math works out, right? Heading clockwise, the Wonderland Trail has five sustained climbs over 2,000 ft / 610 m. Heading counterclockwise, there are six. Becoming colder with a light covering of snow, mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Individual sites can accommodate up to five people and group sites allow for up to twelve. Heavy rain (total 37mm), mainly falling on Tue morning. Mt. These permits can be issued the same day as your trip's start date or one day before – no earlier. Applications are processed beginning April 1 in a random order (i.e. Nobody knows your skill … In a typical year, the Wonderland Trail is accessible from late July to the end of September. Tourism Squamish. If you're feeling ambitious, the hike can be done in three days (or fewer if you're truly a beast), but most hikers choose itineraries calling for six to eight days. July and August are the driest and warmest months in Mount Rainier National Park. What follows is the tale of the Drunken Dragon and his four companions Cadillac, D-con, Steady and Ganj…who in the year of our Lord two thousand and six…did decide to discover the wonders of the Wonderland Trail. Providing a local hourly Wonderland weather forecast of rain, sun, wind, humidity and temperature. Remember, there are a handful of campsites within 2 mi / 3.2 km of the Wonderland Trail that you can stay at as well (if you want to be flexible with your itinerary to increase your chances of getting a permit). June and September are also relatively dry, at least compared to the rest of the year, but you can also expect slightly lower temperatures during these months. The trail circumnavigates (goes in a circle around) Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington at 14,411 ft / 4,392 m. It's a popular trail and requires hikers to apply for a permit ($20 application fee per group of up to 12 people) in advance – more on Wonderland Trail permits, including walk-up permits, below. It’s almost a guarantee that you’ll encounter rain. When you cut that distance in half (because you're going down half the time), the elevation gain per mile averages out to 500 ft per mile (94 m per km). You should probably invest in the, Carrying a phone? How to thru-hike the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. You may choose to hike either clockwise or counterclockwise and you may begin your hike from wherever you would like. Thanks! Downloaded the Guthook's Wonderland Trail app. In terms of good weather, it’s really not guaranteed at any time on the trail. America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, National Geographic Mount Rainier National Park Trail Map, Mountain House Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage, The Wonderland Trail (Mount Rainier National Park), The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2019 Survey, The Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2019), Guide to Hiking Frenchmans Cap in Tasmania, List of Deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail, The Ultimate Pacific Crest Trail Packing List, I began my hike at Mowich Lake Campground which features a, The most popular time for hiking the Wonderland Trail is from, White River Wilderness Information Center (, Remember that there are a handful of campsites you can stay at, For walk-up permits, remember that unclaimed Wonderland Trail, Cougar Rock Campground clockwise to Mowich Lake Campground: ~36 mi / 58 km, Mowich Lake Campground clockwise to White River Campground: ~26 mi / 42 km, White River Campground clockwise to Cougar Rock Campground: ~33 mi / 53 km, You know what are awesome? BY CAR: To get to Mount Rainier National Park via car, you will need to pay an entry fee of $30 (per vehicle, not person). We scooped up some river water in a gallon ziplock and took our first ziplock bath of the trip, washed our sweaty socks, dried out in the sun, and enjoyed the rushing sounds of the river ... Olallie Creek Camp is actually located 1.3 miles off the Wonderland Trail on the Cowlitz Divide Trail, but all … Obviously, weather can't be predicted, but I'm curious to hear some insight of what to expect around Mt Rainier in early October. Prepared a few different itineraries so I was flexible at the permit desk. 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. This means that the park can have a lot of visitors during the good weather window, but is still beautiful in the off seasons when roads are still open. Rainier National Park. 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