Wonderland Trail in October

“We are planning to do the Wonderland trail the first week of October. Has anyone done this hike in October or something close by? I know that the weather will be chilly, but I am more worried about excessive snow and route finding slowing us down. When does the snow usually come to Rainer? Any suggestions.”

“Snow can fall at Rainier any month of the year. The snow level today is at 9000'. October temperature average at Paradise (5400') is 48* daytime, 33* nighttime. You'll be above that elevation during parts of the trip. Hard to say what you'll run into; weather just depends on the luck of the draw. This year's "summer" has really sucked and there's not much of summer left.

Check here for more info. Note that Carbon River and Pyramid Creek campgrounds are still closed due to flood damage from this past winter, and Sunrise will be closed shortly after Labor Day.”

“Lol..it was most likely snowing last night at Sunrise ;-)

Anyhoo, as Kleetn points out about Sunrise, a real issue can be your food. Sunrise is closed areas by that point, so no caches there. You most likely will have to start at Longmire becuase of everything being closed. Expect to carry all your food.

Otherwise the first 3 weeks of October can be very nice.”

“. . . and getting to the mountain is a hassle unless you've got a car tag happening.

The dinner busses and grey lines are long gone by then.

I expect it'll be cold too. . . . so winter clothes weighs ya down. . . . plus the food.”