WONDERLAND TRAIL...MT. RAINIER

[paddleking]

I am looking to hike the Wonderland trail this summer. I know that most the dates are already taken, but I am going to try and get in sometime.

I am looking for a hiking companion or group. Anyone is invited that thinks they can do the whole thing in 8-9 days.

I am also looking for information from anyone who has hiked the trail. Strategies, side hikes, gear, etc. Anything would help.

[KevinOnTour]

When are you looking to do this? I will be riding through on my bicycle and would love to do Ranier. Mt Ranier just made it on the cover of Backpacking magazine. I will be crossing the country starting May on a bicycle so depending on when you do this, I would love to join.

[natchez]

Paddleking, welcome to the forum. :)

[paddleking]

I am not sure. I am pretty open as i have a somewhat flexible work schedule. I was thinking after the busy season in early September.

[KevinOnTour]

Early September should be perfect for a climb out there. We'll have to keep this thread alive until then. There is some good trips being planned by people on HikersJournal.com.

[natchez]

"I know that most the dates are already taken,"
[...]
"I am not sure. I am pretty open as i have a somewhat flexible work schedule."


Maybe you better inquire first if there is still availability that time?

[paddleking]

Well that is why I posted on here as I was hoping to find people that have done the hike or have done research and could help me out. From my understanding there is two passes you need: a camping pass and a wilderness pass. Specific dates would need to be known in advance for both. But my posting on here is a fact finding mission. I just started to do my research on the trail and this was one step. I am waiting for an email reply from the park service to better clarify and I now have my application ready to go WITHOUT specific dates which can be filled in later. If anyone on here knows about this trail then please post anything that will help.

[natchez]

I hope someone having this trail will react, Paddleking. :)

[KevinOnTour]

Damn, I was just talking to the owner of the bar that I drink at about Ranier. He has climbed it twice and could probably have some decent information. Unfortunately, when I am there, I am not really thinking about Oregon.

[sweetass]

Paddleking,

Wish I could go again. You need to get the phone # and make your reservations. They opened on April 1st so there will be lots of spots still. And since you are wanting after labor day you will be in the best of both worlds...the best time to hike it (weather wise, and everyone has returned to school. I did the trail 2 years ago, it is awesome. 8 days is easy money. I did it in 4 nights 5 days. I went counter-clockwise. I don't really think the direction make much difference with the execption of Isput pass. It is a no joke climb. My advise is not to stay at Mowich Lake unless you have people that want to meet up with you and have a cook out as it is a large parking lot and a sucks as a camp out. Just down the hill is Mowich River camp (counter) much better. If I was to do it over I would do the Spray Park trail. I hear it is great. Besides that, figure out at least one resupply point, maybe two. I used Sunrise, I dropped a bucket of food of the day before. Good luck and have fun.
SweetAss

[paddleking]

Good info Sweetass.

I havent heard of Spray park Trail, I will have to look into it. Where did you start your hike?

[sweetass]

We parked at Longmire and started there.

Spray Park Trail Starts/Ends at Carbon River Camp and Starts/Ends at Mowich Lake. (It is part of the Wonderland) but you have two choices. The other is Ipsut Pass Trail. Like I said, I'd do Spray Park if I did it again.

Few other things on campgrounds

Devils Dream Camp, I wouldn't camp there if I had a choice, its dry and there are better.
South Puyallup River Camp, It was good, even though a field mouse ate part of my beloved tent.
Golden Lakes Camp, It looked nice
Mowich River Camp, A+
Mowich Lake, F
White River, below Sunrise was nice, you are on the outside of a major campsite so you have bathrooms and water on tap.
Summerland and Indain Bar. Try to get these two campsites. They are really cool places on the trail. Also very popular.
SweetAss

[sweetass]

Oh one more... I don't know what your level of hiking is, really it doesn't matter too much. But this trail is tough, it is no joke. it is either up hill or down hill. Very few miles are level (But you will find yourself really enjoying the few that are.) The snow wasn't bad when I did it (early Sept.) A few well marked well traveled snow fields the longest was maybe 200 feet. Most of the snow was near Panhandle Gap.
Anyway this post was just to say that...the trail is tough, fun but a workout.
SweetAss

[williswall]

Paddleking, feel free to email me through my site at williswall.com for info on the trail. I've hiked it every year for over 20 years. I posted some updates on trail conditions at the end of last year, you can link to the video through the website. As far as permits go, I've never had trouble getting walk-in permits for September. The mountain has been wide open after summer vacation; one time I went two days before seeing anyone else on the trail. BTW,I was just checking/searching on trail conditions and found this site, very nice!

Steve<br><br>Post edited by: williswall, at: 2008/06/10 19:00

[Schmitt7]

I have done it before and am doing it again begginning early AM on 09/02 and finishing the evening of the 7th with 2 small side trips. One of out party may be backing out so there may be an opening.

[paddleking]

whats your group like? I may be interested. Thats about when I was planning to. 5 days seems fast. Are you all pretty experienced hikers?

[natchez]

Hello Schmitt7 welcome to the forum :)
Isn't that a coincidence. I hope it will work out, Paddleking :)

[Schmitt7]

I was actually off by a day as the last night that we stay will be the 7th and the last day that we hike will be the 8th. This will be one hiking day longer than last time I did it, but we had over a 29 mile day last time that hurt more thanh it was worth.

With a couple of our crew possible bailing out on us the only 2 for sure for the entire trip are myself 40yrs and my 18 yr old son. We are both quite experieneced. I have logged thousands of miles and climbed all but 3 of the major peaks on the west coast. He has hundreds under his belt and has a couple high peaks bagged as well. The other guy that may go all the way around is very inexperienced but does run ultra marathons with me so his conditioning will not be an issue.

I have e-mailed everyone that intended to go with us and said that I need confirmation. 2 of them are sounding like they are going to swing in for only portions.

This trip is part of my son's graduation present before starting college so for me it is about him first and foremost.

[robinmotion]

Is anyone going to be in Mt. Rainier on Saturday the 30th?

My girlfriend and I will be starting the Wonderland Trail by hiking in to South Puyallup, but we'd love to be able to leave our car somewhere along Stevens Canyon Road for when we come out (we're going to skip the southern portion of the trail that travels along the road).

We have South Puyallup reserved for Sat night, so you'd get a campsite stay out of the deal! You could even hike with us on to Aurora Lake for Sun night and share the campsite there, if you like.

[natchez]

Robinmotion welcome to the forum. :)
I hope you'll get lucky with finding someone.