Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 4:42:58 GMT -8
I am open to suggestions for guide books for the Wonderland Trail. My wife and I have decided to do the Wonderland Trail at some point in the next few years.
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texasbb
Trail Wise!
Hates chicken
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Post by texasbb on Mar 26, 2016 11:39:41 GMT -8
Just beware if you're planning it this year that the reservation system has failed and all permits are on a first come, first served basis.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 12:37:11 GMT -8
texasbb, we are planning to do the Wonderland trail in 2 or 3 years (from 2016). But thatnks for the info as its something to keep in mind.
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speacock
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I'm here for the food...
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Post by speacock on Mar 28, 2016 7:55:52 GMT -8
If you search this forum down away few months or so beyond what is being displayed, you'll find a discussion on a trip plan and where to spend the night. Rainier NP has a description of each overnight spot and what is available.
You need to have a detailed plan submitted that 'reserves' a place for you each night. If you don't show up there as planned and stay someplace else, somebody else will be out a place to stay. When doing your planning the NP rangers will work with you - but still have several alternate plans and be flexible. The 'better' spots are taken early.
For clothing I had a 200 fleece (or equivalent long sleeve, zippered front), shorts (instead of rain pants), one pair of long pants (UV/bugs), a Mountain Hardware parka. long sleeved hiking shirt (mosquito/bug and UV), gaiters to keep trail debris our of boots. I took but didn't use much 100% DEET and of course UV protection for skin and lips, and a brim hat. I also had a down vest tucked into the bottom corner - just in case. And trek poles and knowledge and muscles to use them - instead of carrying them. A Stephenson 2r holds two people nicely - for under 3 pounds. The 3r is luxury for a weight penalty (Warmlite.com). We only had rain one night in Sept and 2 or 3 days drizzle. Deep steep consolidated snow on the trail before Summer Land (counter clockwise)
We went counter-clockwise from Longmire following the road on the other side of the river. Since it was the first part of the trip it was exciting. I'm not sure I'd enjoy that part of the trail at all as the last experiences on the Wonderland. If I were to do it again, I'd start at Box Canyon and finish at Longmire. From Paradise to Box Canyon is not a wilderness experience. I had a wonderful experience just before finishing the last ridge. I stopped and hugged a BIG tree. It was a thanks for the experience and a good bye. Everybody ought to hug a tree there.
The trail is pretty much uphill both ways. An amazing amount of uphill most days. All worth it. You need to find a discussion of things that are just off trail that are WOW! There is a large display of columnar basalt bigger than at Devil's Post Pile near Mammoth, for example. Find out about the history of the road bed along Carbon Canyon and be amazed at what humans will go through to tame Mom Nature. Getting off trail in most places is extremely difficult because of the large fallen timber you have to negotiate. Leave bread crumbs so you can find your way back if you want less than a BIG adventure. On the north side you will walk through an immense ancient forest with 100's of year old 6-8' diameter firs growing around and through a pick-up-stix jumble of 100's of year old carcasses which are laying on 100's of year old duff. It is dark at noon and as much of Harry Potter as you might like.
There are hundreds of flowers in bloom and huckle berries galore (up from Box Canyon and along the east side) around Labor Day. I spent several hours picking a hat full of berries sharing a meadow (at a comfy distance) with a black bear doing same - and luxuriated in taking a snooze in a carpet of flowers looking up at Rainier in full glory watching lenticular clouds form. There are a hand full of tree varieties (mostly spectacular fir) and a few different shrubs that can easily be identified. BUT there are a gazillion fungi - mushrooms. See if you can find a guide to the fungi of Rainier NP. The entire north side is deep forest and dark in places - without at tripod (and the time to use it) you will miss out on some beauty - or have fuzzy images. You can make a mono pod by epoxying a drilled out place to put in a camera screw in on a trek pole. Bring plenty of media.
I'd suggest sturdy fabric shoes instead of full leather boots. Fabric shoes with drain holes dry quicker if you spend time in a shower. Most of the trails are well worn and in some deep in duff. The shoe will be dependent upon how much snow you are expecting. Best to have something a bit sturdy if you will be above snow line for awhile. 'High' altitude on this mountain is most anything over 6,000' and could have snow covering.
Plan on visiting Spray Park above Mowich Lake. Mowich makes a good resupply point, as does Sunrise. Check if you can drop a can off at Carbon Canyon. The drop off places are infested with mice/vermin. Make sure you have a well sealed paint can or similar. Plan ahead what you will do with the empty can. The group camp spots have roofs for bad weather. I'd suggest not staying in the facilities as they are infested with mice. End of August and September are probably the drier dates. Figure the trip will take 8-11 days depending on your level of fitness and how much you want to see or steep in - since you have expended all of your effort to get there.
Showers at the Visitor Center. You get towels and soap and will change dollars to quarters of hot water.
Be sure you have enough media and batteries. I took pictures of every bridge (a bazillion of them). You pass potable water often on the trail. It is likely there will be trail closures due to land slides or water damage. If you have an unreasonable fear of heights or waving and bucking suspension foot bridges ask about alternatives from the rangers while you are doing your planning.
The places to hang food (vertical poles with hooks) are mainly for the small critters. There are bear but not so much a nuance as in the Sierra - yet. But still make sure you follow current regulations about food storage.
Look at topo maps for uphill days and plan how far you can progress that day without throwing a rod. You will have plenty of sunshine being that far north, but plan on head lamps. You should be fit enough to walk up steps carrying a full pack for many hours. You can not poop in the forest and you can not pee in the toilets. There was one cramped camp near Dick Creek that was jammed up into the moraine with the toilet perched up in a tree that you needed to make a step up or two to get too it. When you are on the 'throne' you are just scant few feet away from your exposed view of your fellow peasants.
The Wonderland is a jewel in the crown of best weeks to spend outside. Oh..make sure if you are taking pictures that you know what day it is. We'd huddle each morning and show fingers of how many days we had been progressed. Take along one of the chewing gum pack size digital recorders. You can save yourself lots of angst after the trip to figure out what you are looking at or experiencing.
Another 9 day trip worthy of Wonderland is the High Sierra Trail from Giant Forest to Mt Whitney in Sequoia NP. We did it starting from Cottonwood Lakes and Mt Langley as there were no more reserves left for the trail west to east. We did Mt Whitney the 3rd day from the west. We did see a lot of backpackers coming toward us. We'd trade info about the trails ahead. I prefer the trail E to W. Other places in the Sierra include Shepherd Pass to Kearsarge Pass in 5++ days (or vice versa) as an almost loop. ++ as there is so much to see once over the Sierra 'backbone' at high altitude of 10,500'. You can spend a week there
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 9:10:23 GMT -8
speacock, thanks does not seem to say enough for the generous reply to my post. The Wonderland is a few years off, want to finish the ONP Coast hikes first. Already did Realto to Alava. Next for us is Alava to Shi Shi.
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null
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Post by null on Mar 28, 2016 9:55:11 GMT -8
Take a side trip up Skyscraper Mountain. It's a relatively easy scramble and the views are worth it.
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