Hiking Mt Rainier

“Planning to hike the 93 mile Wonderland trail around Mt Rainier the first of September. Has any one had any bad weather hiking experiences on the trail at that time of the year?”

“My friend Dave went all the way to the top of that MT.

He said it was a blast!”

“There's a few websites out there with first hand accounts of hiking the trail. I'm thinking of doing it in August of this year. It seems the bugs can be bad and being in the NW rain is always a possibility. Do a yahoo search on 'Wonderland Trail' that should get you plenty of info.”

“Great hike. I did a large portion of this hike two years ago. September might bring some weather challenges so you need to be prepared. The crowds should be gone by then. I hiked in August and when it rained it was damn cold even in the lower areas and I am used to cold, being from the upper midwest. Mountain flowers were still out. My favorite areas were Summerland, Panhandle Gap, Indian Bar, and Mystic Lake but it is all good. When you book campsites, see if you can get a couple backcountry permits.”

“Read The Measure of a Mountain (or something like that, I lent the book to my sister so I don't know the author, either). A great book about Mt Rainier from all angles.”

“I hiked the Wonderland Trail last September over Labor Day. I couldn't get away from the office for the entire trip, so I caught up with the group on day 3. We did the trail counter clockwise. Most do this clockwise. I would like to do this trail again, it was awesome! We only had one real cold, rainy, windy day. It had to be the day with the most elevation gain and brushiest terrain, of course. The other days were a mix of overcast, sunny.. Not a lot of crowds, but still plenty of folks on the trail. Be sure to get your permits early, some of the campsites do not have much room. Nice warm showers and hamburgers at the lodge Visitor's Center.
I have a great book on the trail. When I get home, I'll get you the title.

Wonderland Trail 2001
http://community.webshots.com/album/21971451ltsLfJfeqo”

“Here's a good book on the Wonderland Trail - Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail - encircling Mount Rainier by Bette Filley.

We also found that most maps have a real mileage discrepancy....”

“I've read that you can mail food packages to the ranger stations but NO FUEL.

I wanna go!”

“I've been on that trail several times. One year we were snowed on in September, but we were over 6500' at the time. It was raining on the lower elevations. Just be prepared for rain, sun and maybe a little snow! :)”

“Anybody got a good suggestion for a weekend bp trip to Rainier? I guess the road between the Nisqually entrance and Paradise is the only one currently open.

Trying to stay under 4000' and out of the snow...”

“Well, if you were going to hike to the summit of Rainer I would go with you...”

“Biz, when are you going? I have family around Rainier. I have been there 3 or 4 time, but never hike it because they don't hike. If you get up a group trip I might like to go.”

“I think most of the good trails still have some snow cover, maybe one of the lower trails in the Carbon river area, I know the Carbon River entrance is open at least to the Ipsut campground. and the hikes to some of the lower falls should be clear.”

“I knew climbing it was just a figment of imagination.

Current snow info for Mt. Rainier:

"The snowline, where snow exists on the ground, varies from 2,400 to 3,600 ft. elevation. At 4,500 ft. elevation there were about four feet, and at Paradise elevation 5,500 ft. about ten to fifteen feet."”

“I just don't know how much you can really do below 4000'. That really limits you at Rainer. I'm sure some good hikes exist but I can't help you. When you want to go a little higher, I can turn you on to some sweet backcountry areas.”

“Hmmmmmm, Naw, I still want to climb Rainer! It would be awesome.

The Wonderland Trail would be cool, if we could take a side trip up Rainer...”

“lol WLD, babee steps man, babee steps

Ü”

“LOL, well.... we would just nice slow/short steps...
Right foot ....waiting......
Left foot .....drinking.....
Right foot ....waiting.....
Left foot .....smoking....

LOL”

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Little Tahoma seen from Camp Shurman. Never got around to climbing it, but it was on my list.”

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Camped on the snowfield below Camp Muir. Yes, You Can Do This. Nothing but walking up. Hundreds of people do this every day. Now then, weather is another matter. Go when the forecast is good.

Looking south towards Mt Adams.”

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No, you can't do this. Unless you have the skills & permit. Taken on the Disappointment Cleaver route. Crevasses on Ingraham Glacier.”

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Crevasse close to Camp Shurman.”