Mt. Rainier - Wonderland Trail

Sunrise to Ipsut Creek

Length:	Approx. 31 miles
Highest Elevation:	6800' at Skyscraper Pass
Permits:	Permits required for all backcountry hiking. Permits only available during business hours at ranger stations and visitor centers.
Information:	Mount Rainier National Park Ashford, WA 98304 Phone - (360) 569-2211 Longmire Museum & Information Center: Ext 3314 Paradise Visitor Center: Ext 2328 (limited winter hours) Ohanapecosh Visitor Center: Ext 2352 (summer only) Sunrise Visitor Center: Ext 2357 (summer only)

Sunrise to Granite Creek

Approx. 5 mile hike beginning at Sunrise Campground. After the first mile or so you begin to rise to cross Skyscraper pass. Skyscraper pass has the potential for a beautiful view. This pass was foggy at our crossing. After which there is a large switch back trail descending to Granite Creek Campground. Hike time approx. 2.5 hrs.

Sunrise to Granite Creek Pictures

Granite Creek to Cataract Valley

Approx. 15 miles to Cataract Valley Campground. Hike began with the trail descending along the Winthrop Glacier and its snout. The large amount of water flowing from the snout of this glacier is magnificent. The trail ascends again as you pass Mystic Lake. Mystic lake is beautiful and clear with copious amounts of mosquitoes. A great spot for pictures. The trail the crosses a pass which provides you with a view of the trail below and the Carbon glacier at approx. 3200' lower in elevation. This descent is grueling and possible the most painful on joints. At the bottom of this glacier there is a large and bouncy suspension bridge. Across the bridge there is a large flat rock which provided a wonderful resting spot where we slept for approx. 1 hr. Then the trail ascends 1800' over the next 1.6 miles to Cataract Valley. Difficult mostly due to miles that we had already put in for the day. This campground is at the base of a large cliff which provides more great views. Approx. hike time was 8 hrs, plus 1 hr of sleeping.

Granite Creek to Cataract Valley Pictures

Cataract Valley to Mowich Lake

Approx. 6 miles along the Spray Park Trail to Mowich Lake. This trail began with more of the continued elevation gain that we had started the day before. All was worth the hike to arrive to the snowfields of Spray Park. We had the opportunity to cross a few snowfields. Some required utilizing the ropes that we had brought along. Others we just crossed. The views of the Mountain and of the Puget Sound region we spectacular. Save a lot of film for this area. Apparently we were 1 week early for the 'coming out of the flowers'. The alpine meadows of Spray Park are apparently famous for their flowers. Arrival to Mowich Lake Campground was a great disappointment due to the fact that the 'campground' is an old parking lot. We camped with 21 other tents, aside from our 5, in the gravel area ¾ the size of a football field. Beside the fact that we were camping around car campers eating their pasta salad, filet mignon and sleeping on their elk skin covered air mattresses, while we were eating Ramen noodles. Moral of the Story for this day; while hiking never camp in an area the cars can drive to. Approx. hike time 6 hrs, including the play time in the snowfields.

Cataract Valley to Mowich Lake Pictures

Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek

Approx. 5.5 miles to Ipsut Creek. This hike was a beautiful hike along Ipsut Creek after crossing Ipsut pass. The best part as that we were descending down this pass and not ascending. Continual switch backs along this steep incline. The vegetation was thick and encroaching on the trail. Early morning fog and mist covered the trail and provided a cool finish to our hike.

Hint #2: You cannot take enough film for this hike

Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek Pictures

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