How long does it take to do the Wonderland Trail?
10 to 14 days
Trail Conditions Daily elevation gains and losses of over 3,500 feet are common. Allow 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail, depending on your daily average. The more time you give yourself, the more time you will have to enjoy the wonders of the Wonderland.
What is the best part of the Wonderland Trail?
The best part of the Wonderland Trail is the suspension bridge over Tahoma Creek.
Is the Wonderland Trail worth it?
The Wonderland Trail certainly belongs on any list of America’s best backpacking trips—and I say that having hiked most of the best (some of them multiple times) over the past three decades, including many years running this blog and previously the Northwest Editor of Backpacker magazine for 10 years.
What should I bring to Wonderland Trail?
Wonderland Trail Backpackers Checklist
- Backpack.
- Sleeping bag.
- Tent.
- Sleep pad.
- 2 moisture-wicking shirts (either 2 short sleeve, or 1 short sleeve/1 long sleeve)
- 1 pair of long pants (comfortable enough for hiking, sleeping and underneath rain pants)
- 1 pair of hiking shorts.
- Waterproof Jacket.
Where do people start the Wonderland Trail?
Longmire
Longmire is the most popular starting point on the Wonderland Trail. Here, you will find a ranger station, a small store (with mostly souvenirs), and a hotel. I began my hike at Mowich Lake Campground which features a 16 mi / 26 km drive down an unpaved road, pit toilets, picnic tables, and trash cans.
Where do you park for Wonderland Trail?
Carbon River entrance station serves the northwest corner of the park. Just beyond, the Carbon River Road once went all the way to a large car campground at Ipsut Creek, just off the Wonderland Trail.
Where do you start the Wonderland Trail?
The Wonderland Trail has access points within a two-hour drive of several major cities in Washington state, including Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia. Because it’s a loop, you can start and end the trail from almost anywhere, but the most common starting point is Longmire.
Do I need a permit for the Wonderland Trail?
Know this truth about the Wonderland Trail: Permits are issued based on availability in designated backpacker campgrounds—and all backpacker campgrounds along the trail will become fully booked from July through September.
What is the elevation of the Wonderland Trail?
| Wonderland Trail | |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain/loss | 22,000 feet (6,700 m) gain approximately |
| Highest point | Panhandle Gap 6,750 feet (2,060 m) |
| Lowest point | Ipsut Creek Campground 2,320 feet (710 m) |
| Hiking details |
How do you resupply on Wonderland Trail?
CACHING FOOD & FUEL For hikers on the Wonderland Trail there is the option to cache food at several locations along the 93 mile (150km) route. 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.
Is the Wonderland Trail a strenuous hike?
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. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits.
How do I prepare to hike the Wonderland Trail?
Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Rangers cannot tell you that. Nobody knows your skill level better than you.
Can I camp on the Wonderland Trail?
Hikers doing the complete Wonderland Trail are limited to camping in designated camps only – the use of cross-country zones is not permitted. Fires, pets, bicycles, and other wheeled devices are not permitted in the backcountry at Mount Rainier.
What is the difference between the Wonderland Trail and spray park?
Hikers opting to take Spray Park will miss the climb up and over Ipsut Pass (5,118 ft / 1,560 m), and will instead climb to 6,400 ft / 1,951 m on the western slope of Mount Rainier. Basically, the Spray Park alternate is slightly shorter, adds a fair amount of climbing, and is more scenic than the official Wonderland Trail.