The Mountains are my HOME: THE WONDERLAND TRAIL ADVENTURE

Sorting food caches

Saturday, July 24th - Diane arrives to Seattle and Preparations begin! Food cashes were prepared and equipment was sorted between Diane, Debbie and David's pack.

Diane packing her backpack

Everyone thought I was organized as can be, but I was the last person to pack my backpack. I do my best work under pressure!

Sunday, July 25th - David, Diane and I drove David's car to Longmire so his car would be staged for him to leave to go home on Friday. Kenna had girls camp she needed to get to. While at Longmire we were able to get our reservations changed to the campsites I originally wanted but was not able to get via early reservations. So for further Wonderland Trail travelers, submit a request in February with all the other 1000 or more hikers for the dates you want and then go in and change your iteneray the day before and pick up camp sites they hold for 1st come 1st serve hikers. We were SO happy we were able to shorten the distances between some of our campsites!

Monday, July 26th - We meet up with David and Kenna Monday morning and headed to the White River Campground. This was the make shift "Wonderland Trail" sign at White River Campground. Little did we know there was an official one by the road that Diane and I found when we finished. Total miles today 6.8.

Taking a much needed rest!

On our way to Summerland, Very few flowers, but the views of the summit were amazing!

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First night out on the trail at Summerland. We were lucky to be camping on dirt. There was snow all around us

Tuesday, July 27th - the crew starting our trek across snow. Heading to Indian Bar - 4 miles

The SNOW travel begins - Debbie, Kenna and Diane heading to Panhandle Gap - Snow is soft, but still scary to travel in for those who are not used to it.

Oh how I love the beauty of Mt. Rainier!

Kenna and Diane heading up the steep climb in snow to the top of Panhandle Gap. The highest point of the whole Wonderland Trail.Everyone made it up the steep slop just fine! We were happy to have that scary section over with!

Heading across Ohanapacosh Park. All snow and very pretty. Diane slipped on the snow during this section which spooked her. I sent David and Kenna on so Diane could regroup so she could continue on. Two adventure runners/hikers passed us by on this section as well. They were trying to do the whole trail in 2 days. They were carrying their supplies in a small pack the size of a school backpack. They said they had a very cold night with only 4 hours of sleep! I've done my share of ultra runs, but completing 93 miles in 2 days does not sound fun to me at all! But then it could be a challenge - OH NO - Did I just say that? Any takers?

The beautiful Indian Bar Valley - It was a long 4.2 miles from Summerland to Indian Bar due to all the snow travel. We were happy to see the Group Shelter.

The camp ground was muddy and underneath snow, so some friendly hikers allowed us to camp in front of the shelter that had just enough room for two tents. No one had to sleep on the snow!

Wednesday, July 28th

We all got a good nights rest and we waited for the sun to come out before heading back out on the snow. I didn't want anyone traveling on icy snow, so we started later in the morning.

We traveled from Indian Bar to Nickel Creek Campground. Three miles of more snow and then 3 more miles with NO WATER SOURCE! Wonderland travelers - remember that!.

This day could be summed up with THANK YOU GPS! Because the snow had iced over during the night the trail was unclear. Prior foot prints of other hikers had disappeared and what wands left behind by the rangers were no where to be seen. We did find some broken wands though. The GPS was a life saver as it kept us on course!

We especially needed it to navigate over 5930. Our next big climb up a mountain before heading down into Nickel Creek .

One of my favorite pictures of Mt. Rainier from Cowlitz Divide

On our way to 5930.

David and Kenna beginning the climb up 5930. No sign of the trail at this point. Foot prints were headed down into a gully. We wondered if someone knew a short cut down. But to where? No one knows. We opted to stay on course, so out came the GPS. We were 4 feet to the right of the trail. We were happy!

Diane had survived the snow. I'm sure she was happy to be traveling on Dirt!

Another beautiful view of Mt. Rainier - Cowlitz Divide

Where are you headed Diane? To NICKEL CREEK only 1.9 miles to WATER!

It was Kenna's turn to put the food up on the bear pole. It was so fun watching her trying to get that bag on the pole. Of course she said it was SO easy. David and I had some great entertainment watching her.

Thursday, July 29, 2010 Leaving Nickel Creek and heading to Paradise River Camp via BOX CANYON - 9.9 miles

Diane and Deb leaving Nickel Creek Camp

Kenna and David

Kenna and David crossing Nickel Creek

On our way to Box Canyon

Crossing the bridge at Box Canyon.
Not the best picture of this beautiful area,
but this is all I got.

More trail signs. Believe it when you see signs "ROUGH TRIAL AHEAD"

The section from Box Canyon to Reflection Lake had to be the worse part of the trip so far. It was definitely rough in more ways than one. Trail was over grown and there were lots of bugs. It was HOT - no shade for Kenna who does not like being HOT.

Reflection Lakes

Debbie at Reflection Lakes

We made it!

Almost to our next resting spot. The .7 miles seemed like 3 miles. We were tired!

David and Kenna leaving Paradise Camp

Friday, July 30, 2011
2.9 miles to Longmire - then 5.9 miles to Devil's Dream

This is David and Kenna's last day on the Trail. Kenna was not enjoying the bugs and David was worried about Kenna the whole trip. They were happy to be going home! On this day we passed a couple of falls, ran into some Ultra Runners who I thought were just out for the day, but Diane and I soon found out that they were not just out for a day run. More about them later.

Diane crossing the Nisqually River

David and Kenna crossing Nisqually River

Diane and Deb leaving Longmire!

Diane and I said goodbye to David and Kenna at Longmire. We got cleaned up in the Longmire Inn bathroom and headed to the restaurant to have one of the best hamburgers EVER! It tasted so good! Diane was happy that it was just the two of us as she felt like she was holding everyone up. I said NO WAY, I would not have left her. So here the two Call girls were on our own to enjoy each others company and rely on each other for the remainder of the trip.

On our way TO DEVIL'S DREAM!

We are once again traveling on the Wonderland Trail after being well feed and cleaned up a bit. For future hikers who may be reading this, they are suppose to be putting "hiker showers" in at Longmire. Boy will that be nice. But hint - I would book an overnight stay in Longmire to get cleaned up and to sleep in a bed for a night. I would not call that cheating one bit!

Off we go to Devil's Dream --- We soon found out why it's call Devil's Dream!

The bug net hats came out on the way up to Devil's Dream and when I say UP, I mean UP. Lots of bug spray and the nets were needed there were so many BUGS! Not the most becoming accessory, but it was a necessary accessory! I didn't like looking through the net so I quickly got rid of mine and put my Bug Off Bandana on my head with my hat on top if it. Another charming look, but at this point we didn't care what we looked like. Another trick - buy the OFF towels, rip off a small piece and stick it in your ears. It keeps the bugs away from buzzing around your ears!

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Leaving Devil's Dream and heading to South Puyallup Camp - 6 miles

We had to hike down a hill to get to the water source at Devil's Dream before we headed out to South Puyallup Camp. Here Diane is dressed in today's Bug Free attire!


This is what I thought of Devil's Dream Camp!

We were happy to leave Devil's Dream and enter into what we called PARADISE - Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. MY OH MY - I found my cabin! We walked out of the trees to this open field of wild flowers. To the right sat a cute log cabin (Patrol Cabin) with Mt Rainier standing majestically behind the it and the trees. There was a stream that flowed in front of the cabin and to the right of the cabin was a small lake. I still smile when I think of that area. What a dream place to have a cabin.

DREAM!!!!!!

I can at least Dream of owning a cabin in the mountains someday!

Which way do we go? The opposite direction from Devil's Dream!

LT: While on our way to the longest suspension bridge the park, we passed this water fall.

RT: Diane before crossing the longest and highest suspension bridge on Mt. Rainier that crosses Tahoma Creek. This creek (more like river) is fed by the Tahoma and South Tahoma Glacier

One LONG bridge!

Tahoma Creek and Suspension Bridge

The Tahoma Creek area is slowly eroding. On of these days, this suspension bridge will slide right off the side of the mountain.


3.8 miles to South Puyallup River Camp

Heading around Emerald Ridge. Absolutely gorgeous views of the Mountain and surrounding areas.

Diane relaxing on 5600 hair pin turn on Emerald Ridge.

Tahoma Glacier - West side of Mt. Rainier

Good Bye Emerald Ridge - thank you for the lovely place to REST our FEET!

Diane at South Puyallup Camp sign

Just 200' to South Puyallup Camp - I wrote in my journal - " Left Devil's Dream at 9:30 am. Got in at 6:30 pm. Beautiful Flowers in Indian Henry's and my dream cabin was there. We crossed the highest and longest suspension bridge and climbed to a view of the mountain that was spectacular. By far the easiest, prettiest climb thus far. Hoping for no rain tonight. Sleep to renew the body for tomorrow. Feet are sore. Both pinky toes are numb. Don't know why."

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Leaving South Puyallup and heading to Klapatche Park Camp via St Andrews Park -

Seventh day on the trail! We've traveled about 1/2 way around the mountain and now we begin the 4 miles of switchbacks. BUT before we leave South Puyallup Camp, Diane finds a much needed treasure and we count how many mosquito bites we have on our legs. Debbie 17!

These columned rocks are at South Puyallup Camp on the way to the biffy - very interesting!

Diane's treasure!

We are low on wipes and toilet paper. Diane is desperate and the treasure she found in South Puyallup campsite was some very soft moist LARGE leaves. It was the highlight of my week watching her find leaves she could use. We learned to not depend on restocking our supplies at the Longmire General Store. They don't sell wipes there. Since Diane used all of her wipes to wipe off her dirty legs at night, she ran out of the essential! Good thing she didn't mistake one of her big leaves as a stinging nettle!

St. Andrews Lake

We ran into snow around St. Andrews Park. Not much, but Diane slipped again. I don't think she liked the snow travel much. Eleven trail runners passed us. Remember the 3 trail runners we ran into at Paradise River 3 days prior, well we saw them again. They were running the mountain in 3 days. Most were from Oregon. Oh I remember those days of doing long trail runs. I miss them. The weather was mostly cloudy and foggy with a couple of sun breaks. I noted in my journal that this side of the mountain was colder and LOTS of flowers in the parks.

Where did you say we were going?

On our way to Klapatche Park - lots of Avalanche lilies

We made it to Klapatche Park!

Aurora Lake at Klapatche Park

Mt. Rainier and Aurora Lake


View from our campsite at Klapatche - campsite #1

Monday, July 2, 2010 Day 9

I woke up the this beautiful view! We had clear skies today so the views were spectacular. In my journal I wrote: "Didn't sleep well. Didn't wear my ear plugs. I heard animals outside our tent. Listened to them for 1 hour eating grass, most likely deer"