Maple Creek Camp to Longmire

09/01/13

Start time:  0645

End time:  1100

Miles:  10

Min alt:  

Max alt:  

Min temp: 52

Max temp: 77

Up and ready to hike out today this section parallels the highway, so not really looking as forward to it.  I say goodbye to the Ed and Coleen as the prepare to hike, enjoyed seeing them from Mowich on. I ascend along Maple Creek, a silty creek. 

Summerland to Maple Creek Camp

08/31/13

Start time:  0715

End time:  1407

Miles:  15

Min alt:  2500

Max alt:  5900

Min temp: 45

Max temp: 76

No rain, as a matter of fact clear sky this morning.  The mountain is pink with the sunrise and the blue sky is crystal clear. I'm eager to hike in this splendid weather. 

Sunrise Camp to Summerland

08/30/13

Start time:  0714

End time:  1130

Miles:  8

Min alt:  4200

Max alt:  6245

Min temp: 47

Max temp: 69

All night a soft wind blew drying out everything. When I awoke the rain fly was dry, a very good start. No sun in the sky and I can see the clouds dropping as I start to hike.  I pass the little lake adjacent to Sunrise camp, a great blue heron glides silently across the smooth water.  A nice down hill hike for about 3 miles to White River camp. As I arrive a ranger is posting detour signs for the trail.  

Sunrise Camp

08/29/13

Start time:  1300

End time:  1500

Miles:  5

Min alt: 6244

Max alt: 6900

Min temp: 48

Max temp: 65

People met: day hiked

Woke up to rain this morning, got up at 0830 for a day hike, rain, got some food and started out.  The mountain tops were in the clouds and it was still raining.  I figured maybe later I'll start out so I just stayed in the rack waiting for the rain to abate until about 1300.  Finally a some sun in tiny bits, still a light rain, decided to day hike, into the clouds I go. 

Mystic Lake to Sunrise Camp

08/28/13

Start time:  0644

End time:  1100

Miles: 8.8

Min alt: 

Max alt:  6600

Min temp: 48

Max temp: 65

People met: stopped counting over 50

Woke up to rain, not hard rain but a light rain if the Pacific Northwest. A quick packing and on the trail, rain gear required this morning. The mushrooms are exploding, I see a different one almost every turn. Some if them are as big as a pie, I would like to collect them for food, but I want to be sure before I do so I let them be.  Down to the North Fork White River and around the foot of the Winthrop Glacier.  I am amazed at the debris on the top of the glacier, rocks and soil so much it looks like land. The moist forest has the faint scent of balsam and occasional herbals such as camomile.  

Cataract Camp to Mystic Lake

08/27/13

Start time:  0730

End time:  1200

Miles: 6.7

Min alt: 4026

Max alt:  6940

Min temp: 52

Max temp: 68

People met: 8

Nice peaceful rain last night.  My camp had the best tree coverage out of the 6 camps. Nonetheless my rain fly was soaked I packed it in plastic to dry later.  Still a fine Pacific Northwest mist in the air so I put my rain cover on my pack. 

Mowich Lake to Cataract Camp

08/26/13

Start time:  0700

End time:  1300

Miles: 6.8

Min alt: 4026

Max alt:  6600

Min temp: 54

Max temp: 66

People met: 7

Rainey night, I kept dry and enjoyed the patter of rain. In the morning my tent rain fly was soaked, but it had done its job. My tarp was also very wet and my pants never dried from my washing them yesterday.  I don my rain pants and pack all the wet items in waterproof bags setting out to Spray Park.  First stop was a look at the the canyon from Eagle lookout, this high on a cliff view point gave a nice view of Rainer and the canyon. 

Golden Lakes to Mowich Lake

08/25/13

Start time:  0700

End time:  1130

Miles: 10

Min alt: 

Max alt:  5240

Min temp: 52

Max temp: 68

People met: 7

Woke up last night to see the moon shining in, ahhhh that means the clouds have left.  On the trail by 0700, the air is fresh with an occasional hint of balsam.  Blue sky with thin contrail clouds. 

Klapatche Camp to Golden Lakes

08/24/13

Start time:  0730

End time:  1200

Miles: 7.8

Min alt: 3040

Max alt:  5600

Min temp: 51

Max temp: 65

People met: 8

Slept in a cloud all night. 

Devil's Dream to Klapatche Camp

Devil's Dream to Klapatche Camp

08/23/13

Start time:  0700

End time:  1500

Miles: 9.7

Min alt: 3960

Max alt:  6050

Min temp: 62

Max temp: 68

People met:  7

Woke to the soft pattering sounds of a light rain. The air has that wonderful freshness and a cool humidity. I on the trail by 0700 hrs after a nice long slumber. The morning walk is quiet, punctuated now and then with the sweet lilt of a song bird.  I am so pleased with the beautiful conifer forest, so healthy with thin straight trees. The undergrowth is just right hike thru if you wanted, not too thick or high.  Along the way I feast upon huckleberries and salmon berries. These are the best berries I've ever tasted.  

Devils Dream & Day Hiking to Pyramid Peak

Pyramid Camp to Devils Dream

08/22/13

Start time:  0730

End time:  0840

Miles: 3.

Min alt: 3960

Max alt:  5300

Min temp: 78

Max temp: 86

People met: 4

Alarm off at 0630 but I just laid in my bag waking slowly.  Packed up my camp in a good amount of time, given I haven't done this in almost a year.  Breakfasted on Carolyn's hi-power pemmican, sure is hot because of the high fat content, I can feel the warmth from the fats immediately.  The forest is cool and quiet with a beautiful fir canopy and lush undergrowth.  I cross a glacial stream, very muddy and fast moving. 

First day on the Wonderland

The Wonderland Trail, 93 miles of beautiful views of Mt. Rainier.

Longmire to Pyramid Camp

08/21/13

Start time:  1630

End time:  1800

Miles: 3.7

Min alt: 3040

Max alt:  3960

Min temp: 62

Max temp: 78

People met: 16