Jim and Bonny: Wonderland Trail on Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier peaks through the trees at Longmire.

This majestic mountain is nearly 3 miles high. It is the tallest and most significant snow-clad volcano in the United States. It has one of the largest glacial systems radiating from a single peak anywhere in the world.

We checked in at the National Park Service at Longmire to get our backcounty permit and get updates on the trail. They tell us there have been numerous bear sightings on the west side.

Then headed for the Wonderland Trail. It is 92.2 miles encircling magnificant Mt. Rainier and is one of America's finest wilderness pathways. It takes 10 to 14 days to hike the entire trail. Our plan was to hike 5 days of the trail from Longmire to Lake Mowich.

We are starting out to discover the wonders of this mountain.
"It is a tough trail!"
The tremendous elevation gains and loses of Wonderland Trail are a surprise to many hikers. Climbing and descending over 3,500 feet a day is not unusual. More than once we concluded that the only flat spots are the "parks" on the ridge-tops and the riverbeds at the bottom. It is for this reason the campsites are preselected. They are few and far between. Our first stop was Devils Dream - 6 miles, next night Klapatche - 10.2 miles, next night Golden Lakes - 7.7 miles, and last night Mowich Lake - 10 miles.

Elevation at Longmire is 2761 ft.

Olivia giving Daddy a good-by kiss!

A park ranger has been quoted "there's no summer up here, only ten months of winter and two of late fall." While we hiked we had highs in the 70's and lows in the 30's while back in Snoqualmie they had 4 days of 95! Any kind of weather can be encountered on Mt. Rainier at any time.

Purifing water.

The hike from Devils Dream to Klapatche Park was a "big" day. Two big climbs, two big decents, and some really spectacular scenery!! Elevation gain: 3786', Loss: 3386'

This narrow suspension bridge is 100' high, 253' long and swinging! It crosses the Tahoma Creek.

"It is not a bridge for the faint hearted!"

This area shows the destruction by a 1928 wildfire. 60+ years later, the tragedy of the major burn continues to be seen first hand as the trail passes through the still charred remains of a once majestic and dense old-growth forest. Miles of silver snags amidst the fresh new sub-alpine forest are grim reminders of what one small spark can do. No campfires are allowed on the trail.

We drank water, water and more water! We purified water at every stream.

The wild flowers were phenomenal!

The "rock flour" from the glacier causes the water to be white.

Old growth Douglas Fir

(see trail in foreground)

The trail is a great equalizer. Our trail companions came from all walks of life. But we all shared the same hardships, weather, tough trail, bugs, sweat and toil, and the kinship and mutal respect that comes from participating in this special adventure.
Eleven year old Josefina and her father Peter will always be remembered!

Sunset on the trail!

Mt. Rainier reflecting in the lake at sunset.

One can't describe this breathtaking, panoramic view of the glacier water running down the mountain. The many glaciers radiating off the mountain have carved deep valleys separated by high ridges. The Wonderland travels up and down these ridges, crossing the rivers and valley floors at the bottom, before going up and over the next ridge, to repeat the process again and again.

The trail was narrow with very few markings. A good topographical map is essential for this hike.

There are other beautiful places but Mt. Rainier is special! Photos can't adequately capture the raw beauty, nor can words convey the sense of peace and contentment of just being there.

Studying the much used map!