Trip
Backpack - Wonderland Trail
This Wonderland section hike also known as the Mother Mountain Loop is a part of the traditional Wonderland Trail and Spray Park traverse. Our 4 day, 3 night backpack begins and ends at the Carbon Entrance to Mt. Rainier. On this backpack you will visit old growth forests, snowy slopes at Seattle Park and the Carbon Glacier. With elevation gains of over 5500', this backpack has it all with its challenging but rewarding views of Rainier, waterfalls, glaciers, suspension bridge and wildlife.
Contacts
- Thu, Aug 17, 2023 — Sun, Aug 20, 2023
- Tacoma Hiking & Backpacking Committee
- Backpacking
- Adults
- Very Strenuous
- Challenging
- Mileage: 28.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 5,500 ft
- High Point Elevation: 6,400 ft
- Pace: 1.5-2 mph
- 3 (3 capacity)
- 2 (2 capacity)
- Fri, Jul 28, 2023 at 3:00 PM
- Tue, Aug 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
Proposed Trip: (Given bridges are repaired for backpackers to safely cross.)
Day #1- Carbon River Entrance to Carbon River Camp- 8.78 miles elevation gain +1500': 8 am for carpool Wilkeson to Carbon Entrance. Carbon Entrance to Ipsut Camp for lunch. Hike to Carbon River Camp to set up for the evening. Side trip to Ipsut Falls, Carbon Glacier view and Carbon suspension bridge, filter water, set up camp and have dinner together. Note: Leader might change this night only to Ipsut Camp 4.5 miles if available. Currently Ipsut is only available as a day of hike "walk-up permit". UPDATE: Carbon River Camp has a tilted footbridge so creek is a ford to the camp.
Day #2- Carbon River Camp to Mowich Lake Camp - 8.21 miles elevation gain/loss +2800'/-900: Get up at around 7 am, have breakfast, break camp and depart at 8:00. Hike up Ipsut Pass 2,800' to Mowich Lake- 5000', set up camp, filter water, have dinner. Side trip to Mowich Ranger Station and/or evening lake stroll or swim.
Day #3- Mowich Lake Camp to Cataract Valley Camp- 6 miles elevation gain +1200': Get up at around 7 am, have breakfast, break camp and depart at 8:00. Leave Mowich Camp, hike to Spray Park, traverse to Seattle Park- 6200' enjoying the views. Hike to Cataract Valley Camp- 4620'. Side trip to Spray Falls with a few water crossings this day at Marmot Creek (bring extra shoes for water crossing).
Day #4- Cataract Valley Camp to Carbon River Entrance- 10.11 miles elevation loss -2820': Get up around 7 am, have breakfast, break camp and depart at 8:00. Continue loop down to Carbon River Camp, cross Carbon River Suspension Bridge and hike back to cars.
Group Expectations:
-Stay together
-Communicate your needs
-Follow Leave No Trace Guidelines
-Have fun
***Be prepared for all weather conditions. Read expanded gear list in Required Equipment for the listing.
Carpool Information: TBD from Wilkeson at 8:00 am at public restroom or TBD from participants location. After introductions, we will gear shift to carpools then caravan to the TH. TH at Carbon Entrance and has limited parking and spotty cell service. Riders are requested to reimburse driver(s) at $0.18 mile per vehicle.
**Minimal Physical Requirements: Be able to cross streams of fast moving glacial melt confidently. Confident with crossing a backcountry suspension bridge spanning about 300' with at least 50 ft. height above a glacier. Crossing terrain that is rocky steep, hot and uneven. Note mileage and elevation in listing before requesting to join.
***Pass Required Mt. Rainier Annual Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency or Senior Interagency Pass required for each vehicle.
Wonderland Trail
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Green Trails Mt Rainier West No. 269
Trails Illustrated Mount Rainier National Park
Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270
Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which should include:
- Tent with footprint/ground tarp and rain fly and knowledge of how to put it up.
- Stove and fuel with knowledge of how to use it.
- Sleeping bag with rating of at least +35 degrees.
- Sleeping pad with a high R value for providing ground insulation.
- Water purification or filter with bladder or bottles that holds 2L for cooking. If this is your first trip out this year, make sure your filter is working at home before bringing.
- Bear canister (recommended) or extra stuff sack with odorless Opsak for hanging food and toiletries at bear pole.
- Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils, food and snacks for 3 days plus extra (10 essentials)
- Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with human waste. Camps are primitive camp sites with privies only.
- Trekking poles, boots, shoes such as crocs for water crossings and at camp.
- Layered clothing that wicks water, no cotton, extra socks, hat and gloves for night time comfort.
- Lightweight rain gear that is 100% effective at keeping you dry for up to 3 days plus rain fly for your backpack.
- Insect head net and/or repellant. Expect some or a lot of bugs. It is wildflower season which indicates pollinators abound.
- NOTE: Soap of any kind cannot be used at Mt. Rainier National Park. It is suggested to bring extra hand-sanitizer, wet wipes or Wilderness Wipes.