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Wonderland Trail

Due to washout conditions on the Wonderland Trail, this year's event has been canceled... :(

 

The Wonderland Trail is a distinguishing feature of Mount Rainier National Park. Establishment of the trail took place at the turn of the century when the "Wonderland" was an attraction used to promote park visitation. Later, rangers used the trail as a patrol beat. Original ranger cabins are still in use. The oldest cabin, constructed in 1915, is at Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. Today's hikers find the 93 mile Wonderland to be one of the best ways to explore Mount Rainier National Park. The trail passes through major life-zones of the park, from lowland forests to subalpine meadows of wildflowers. Passing swift rivers, the trail leads to commanding views of Mount Rainier cloaked in icy glaciers. As the trail circles the mountain, hikers witness the varied faces of Mount Rainier, carved by 25 named glaciers. Weather is a constantly changing factor. While summer is often dry and sunny, oceanic influences can also bring moisture as rain or snow at higher elevations. Hikers can find both company and solitude along the way. Although thousands hike the Wonderland Trail each summer, many stretches of the trail still provide the chance to be alone. Prior awareness of trail and weather conditions, wilderness regulations and general hiking information about the park will enhance a trip along the Wonderland Trail.

some of this information was taken from the National Park Service

Here is an elevation profile of the Wonderland Trail.

The plan is to complete a counterclockwise loop starting from and finishing at Paradise, and then approach the summit of Mt. Rainier using the Camp Muir/Disappointment Cleaver route.


Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park was established on March 2, 1899, and encompasses 235,625 acres, ranging in elevation from 1,610' to 14,410' above sea level. The "mountain" is an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice, surrounded by old growth forest and stunning wildflower meadows.

This is a photo of Mt. Rainier from space (taken from Wikipedia).
We will begin our summit approach from Paradise.


"The horizon is at our feet." -Unknown