I completed wonderland trail in six sections during the time i worked at the paradise inn in mount rainier national park. We didnt even hike one percent of the trail, but the stretch we did hike was wonderful indeed. See more ideas about wonderland trail, trail and wonderland. Rainier from klapatche park on the wonderland trail. See more ideas about wonderland trail, trail and mount rainier national park.
Mount rainiers wonderland trail the complete backpacking. Sep 12, 2014 posts about klapatche park written by jaunting jan. Klapatche park is a backpacking, hiking, mountain biking adventure located in or near longmire, wa. Wonderland trail wilderness campsites where the road forks. Wonderland trail day 7 golden lakes to klapatche park apparently, learning about a bear in our camp just before bed doesnt make for a restful evening. Klapatche park hiking trail, eatonville, washington hiking project. Day 34 wonderland trail cataractgolden lakeklapatche. Snow covered the trail for the last 100 yards coming up the hill into klapatche park. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national parks 93 mile long wonderland trail. If you start from klapatche park and hike to golden lakes, you can probably get away with spending some of your morning enjoying the scenery before heading off into the wilds of the north puyallup valley. Aug 20, 2010 klapatche park is a personal favorite lovely campground on the west side. 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. Bill and i wanted to use our mountain bikes to access one of the more remote sections of the park, so we headed for klapatche park.
Hiking devils dream to klapatche park on the wonderland trail. The wonderlands trail has been described as magical, through a wispyclouded august sky to the many glaciers, river valleys and high alpine meadows all while traveling through the through rainiers backcountry. The wonderland trail is a 93mile hiking trail that encircles washingtons most famous volcano. Guide to hiking the wonderland trail halfway anywhere. The campsites at klapatche park are some of the most popular in the park and are often full on summer weekend nights. Establishment of the trail took place at the turn of the century when the wonderland was an. Wonderland trail westside section mowich lake to longmire plus side trips distance. The wonderland trail is a distinguishing feature of mount rainier national park. Though it ends with a steady climb, this is a relatively easy section of the wonderland trail.
Klapatche park will give you a chance to experience the wonderlands trail with only 21 miles of hiking. Klapatche park trail mount rainier national park u. In total, i hiked wonderland in 12 days which includes doing a loop hike through spray park and the isput creek from mowich. But this leg of the wonderland trail makes for a challenging day, and if you dont feel up for 10. Here another unmarked trail veers rightsthis one a very steep scramble trail to the 6,076foot summit of aurora peak.
The camp is in the forest along the edge of the meadow just north of aurora lake. Its a rugged trail that most people would call strenuous with over 22,000 feet 6,700 m of elevation gainand our trail additions added thousands more. Mowich lake, golden lakes, klapatche park, devils dream. Its quite scenic and a vast improvement over the traditional route. Wonderland trail in 2018 lifetime hikerwilderness canoe camper, but fairly new to long distance backpacking. Andrews creek trail hikebike up the closed portion of the road to round pass 3. Before visiting, please check with individual parks regarding. Hiking mount rainiers wonderland trail the seattle times. The wonderland trail is a 93mi 150 km circuit around mount rainier in.
There are a few good treks from the westside road trailhead in mount rainier national park. Visit lake george and then the lookout on top of gobblers know, circle emerald ridge, or enjoy a stint on the wonderland trail to klapatche park, all strenuous or harder trips. Wonderland trail in klapatche park, mount rainer, washington wonderland. A great trail with breathtaking views at mount rainier national park it took me 4. Most people hike the entire trail in about ten days, and the park service. The wonderland trail mount rainier national park u. With every turn, the wonderland trail reveals glaciers, cascading waterfalls. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and subalpine areas. Oct, 2019 hiking the wonderland trail during peak season augustlabor day august until labor day is peak season for hiking the wonderland trail. It is a worldclass hike that has been on my mind for years so finally being able to complete it was such a wonderful feeling, but it wasnt. Klapatche park is just head reached by gently descending through flowering meadows. The trail circumnavigates goes in a circle around mount rainier, the highest peak in washington at 14,411 ft 4,392 m. Along the trail a serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, slopes dotted with mountain goats, breathtaking views of mount rainier and incomparable sunsets such is the scene along the way to klapatche park.
Aug 17, 20 the wonderland trail, built in 1915, is entirely within the national park and passes through lowland forests to subalpine meadows. Of course, climate is changing and weve seen crazy high snow years and low ones in recent years, so its hard to say when the trails will be open, and personal comfort is an important factor. Im considering either hiking it to celebrate my 50th bday or doing it in stages. From klapatche park the wonderland trail steeply descends to the north puyallup river valley. The spray park trail is a popular alternate route for wonderland trail thruhikers.
The wonderland trail is a 93mile 150 km circuit located in washingtons mount rainier national park with over 23,000 ft 7,090 m of elevation gain. Continue north on the wonderland trail making a short climb before reaching a small saddle beneath aurora peak. This is a good place to pause for a snack and take in the view of mount. The trail from golden lakes to klapatche was mostly in good condition and it was another hot day. The wonderland trail wt is 93 miles 150kms long and encircles mount rainier. However, the climb up from north puyallup river camp to klapatche park was steep and a good deal of the trail was overgrown with brush. Looking for a long hike with little elevation gain. Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the wonderland trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Wonderland trail mount rainier national park 2020 all. Hiking the wonderland trail in washington the adventure junkies. The wonderland trail is mount rainier hiking at its best. To the right, the wonderland trail climbs gradually.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until september. I woke up several times during the night, absolutely convinced that a bear was outside pawing at my cookware. With retirement on the horizon i hope to get in many thru hikes in my golden years. Klapatche park hiking trail, eatonville, washington.
If one hike should be regarded as the best hike in mount rainier national park, it has to be the wonderland trail. Jun 30, 2016 trail that circles mt rainier in washington state of the usa, near seattle. The west side is often referred to as the wild side of mt. Rainiers summertime, not the usual summer timeframe. Establishment of the trail took place at the turn of the century when the wonderland was an attraction used to promote park visitation. Klapatche park running trail, eatonville, washington. At this time of year, the snow has usually melted from the entire trail including high altitude sections of panhandle gap and spray park. It is the longest trail in the park, taking in all its natural features and passing through all its life zones, the epitome of mount rainier hiking. Hiking from klapatche park to golden lakes on the wonderland.
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