Anyone Hiking the Wonderland This Year?

“I very good friend of mine sent me this link about the destruction from the storms in Mount Rainier National Park:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16556442/from/ET/

Every time I read one of these articles about the extent of destruction it sounds a little worse than what was first known, and after just having hiked the Wonderland Trail last September, this is very sad to see. It's beginning to look like nobody will hike the entire trail this year due to the massive destruction. Here's a link to some of the pictures I took while on the trail . . . before the storms:

http://community.webshots.com/user/gforce96”

“I was (past tense).”

“I will. I have hiked most of the WT, and have a bit more to finish. Sure bridges are gone, but that isn't the end of the hike. Thru-hikes will be an issue, but not section hiking. For the most part, bridges are just logs tossed over the creeks/rivers, planed on top with a hand rail. So they can bridge areas quite fast. Now, the banks getting to the bridges may be an issue, but should be doable in many areas. I have trust in Rainier's fine rangers :-)”

“when was the last time anyone saw a ranger doing trail work? SNORT!”

““when was the last time anyone saw a ranger doing trail work? SNORT!”

Actually at Rainier, quite often! Last summer I passed at least 3 work parties with rangers doing the work. Unlike the NF next door, they really do their work. The bridges will get replaced, and they will get replaced fast come summer if they can be. The only issue is if the bigger bridges are gone (like, say, the suspension ones.)”

“Since the park is considering not issuing reservations for thru-hikers on the WT, I would say the chances are slim that anyone will hike the entire trail this summer. No doubt sections will be open to hike, but which ones will be is in question. That won't be known until spring when the snow melts.

I like your optimism sarbar, but the damage to the entire area is so widespread I would question what priority repair to trails and bridges will be given when there is so much to be done and never before have they faced a disaster of this magnitude. I hope your optimism pans out! My only point for this thread was to make others, who might be planning a trip to Rainier this year, aware of the situation.

On our first day out on the trail last fall we stopped to pump water at a stream crossing. While there we met a "ranger" travelling in the opposite direction. We spoke to him at length, and then I mentioned to him that he was the second ranger we had seen during the day. He was very quick to correct me and told us he was the park superintendant. I thought that was very cool to see that he actually got out on the trail to get a look at things first hand. He was a very nice person to speak with. So, yes, the rangers do get out and work on the trails (I saw them twice on the trip), and you might even see the park superintendant too. He said he gets out once a week to check on projects in the backcountry.”

“GForce, they did a great job after the floods of 2003 blew out everything badly (and they thought that one was bad!)
I have belief in that they will fix the crossings as fast as they can...and hey, if they don't? Oh well, more for us locals ;-) I'll cross most streams, not the rivers, but there is plenty for us to hike with a closed park. Ooh-la-la!
What it is going to affect more will be the typical tourist who visits Longmire/Paradise, then goes out Stevens Canyon and up Hwy 123 to Sunrise. With the road wash outs, that is going to cramp trips. But us backpackers? We still have a whole park to play in :-)”

“Some info for those interested in hiking the Wonderland Trail at Mt. Rainier this year:

Because of damage to the trail and designated campsites caused by the November flood, advanced reservations will NOT be accepted for complete Wonderland Trail itineraries beginning March 15th. Reservations will be accepted for all climbing routes and backpacking itineraries that do not involve a circumnavigation of the mountain, generally are short duration trips that begin and end from the same developed area, and do not involve designated camps subject to flooding. After a full assessment of trail and camp conditions and temporary repairs to known problem areas, the park may offer Wonderland Trail itineraries through the advanced reservation service. This likely will not occur before mid-June. Until that time, walk-up permits will be issued to the maximum extent allowable based upon current trail conditions and visitor experience expectations. There are still plenty of areas of the park available for backcountry camping.

Much of the park’s trail system remains unsurveyed due to snowcover. Immediately following the flood, a flight was conducted to quickly survey the Wonderland Trail. It is very likely that there is additional trail damage along the Wonderland Trail and other park trails that have yet been identified. The condition of most Designated Camps remains uncertain. The subsequent wind storm in December and routine winter trail damage most likely will add to the challenge. The following descriptions identify known trail damages as of November 2006.

WONDERLAND TRAIL

Wonderland Trail: Longmire to North Puyallup
The Kautz Creek footlog and 200 yards of graded trail are gone. The Pyramid Creek footlog is missing. The Pyramid Creek Camp likely suffered extensive damage.
Note: Flights after the flooding showed that the Tahoma Creek suspension bridge, the South Puyallup River bridge and the North Puyallup bridge were all in place and appeared to be in good condition.

Wonderland Trail: North Puyallup to Mowich Lake
At least 2 footlogs and one stringer bridge are gone from the North and South Mowich Rivers area. Several hundred yards of riverbar and graded trail were destroyed. The South Mowich Camp lost several sites.

Wonderland Trail: Ipsut Creek to Sunrise
Damages begin a short distance beyond the Ipsut trailhead with two washed out footlogs, one washed out bridge, and 200 yards of trail washed out. The Ipsut Falls spur trail is gone. Much of this trail is currently active riverbed and logjam. Between here and the lower crossing of the Carbon River, approximately 800 feet of graded trail tread is damaged or missing.

There is significant damage between the lower crossing and the Spray Park Trail. Approximately 0.25 miles of trail is gone. The Carbon River is against the base of the hillside and has cut away the trail and the base of the hill leaving near vertical scree and bedrock slopes. Replacement of this section of Wonderland Trail will be a significant project. We anticipate that hikers will be rerouted across the lower crossing of the Carbon River then south along the Northern Loop Trail to the Carbon Glacier.

At mile 2.6 the Cataract Creek footlog is gone. The Carbon River Camp will be inaccessible without this footlog in place. The Carbon River suspension bridge is in place and in good condition.

The West Fork of the White River cut a gorge through its normal flood channel area. It is anticipated that approximately 100 yards of riverbar trail will need to be constructed across this washout and one footlog will be needed. The Winthrop Creek washed out the 55 foot footlog and the approach on the east side.

Wonderland Trail: White River Campground to Box Canyon
One 55 foot footlog washed out near the campground and an estimated 100 yards of riverbar trail missing.

Wonderland Trail: Box Canyon to Reflection Lakes
Two earth slides a short distance downhill from Martha Falls resulted in loss of the trail in very steep scree/soil slopes. A reroute may not be available for hikers in early summer as alternative routes are limited through this area.

Wonderland Trail: Reflection Lakes to Longmire
The Nisqually River footlogs and 100 yards of approach trails are gone.”

“Click map to see latest flood damage information


Also, a .PDF of the recovery effort here.”

“Sarbar - I remember those scary bridges from the summer. We stayed at Cougar Rock campground across from the WT and the Nisqually. OMG crossing in the early morning was much easier than the afternoon when the sun was out all day!

Those logs with just a thinner log as the handrail were really sketchy.”