Wonderland Trail Mount Rainier

Wonderland Trail Mount Rainer Hike to Summerland Meadow

Hiking the Wonderland Trail in its entirety has always been on my bucket list of trails. At this moment time is just a short in and out was all that was written in the trail dust for me. It was a perfect summer day for doing ten miles. Summerland meadow is located at 6,400 feet in elevation with beautiful panoramas of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks.

Wonderland Trail Hiking

Wonderland Trail is a ninety-three mile challenging hike around the base of Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park. Trail has a lot of climbs with a combined elevation gain of 22,000 feet, this is a 93 mile scenic workout. A permit is required and are award on a lottery system usually six months in advance of your start date. You may get lucky if someone cancels or no shows. Wonderland Trail was build in 1915 passes through alpine meadows and through lush rain forests of the Pacific Northwest.

: I hiked on Wonderland Trail a Distance 9.69 mi Ascent 2,165 ft Total Time 6h 43m. A very beautiful hike, being close to Seattle area it was busy.

: Starting a day adventure on the Wonderland Trail to Summerland Meadow. Trailhead is the Sunrise Road. Trail follows Frying Pan Creek up.

: First two mile from Whiter River road is dense rain forest with streams crossing the trail

: Few tenths of mile down the trail is the junction for White River Camp and beyond

: Lower trail is wide and flat as you follow a stream bottom through the forest on the Wonderland Trail to Summerland Meadow, hiking the base of Mount Rainier

: You meet a few backpackers doing the loop as well as several day hikers on the trail

: Sun is beginning to fill the shadows on the trail and throughout the valley floor

: First bridged stream crossing on the trail

: Two small streams enter a bigger stream down below as you cross on this log

: Sun peaking in, sounds of a stream gently tumbling over stones sing it's song

: Gentle tumbling streams spark the imagination and comfort the soul

Mount Rainier National Park on Wonderland Trail

Feeling more bounce in my step this morning. It’s been raining for several days and it’s so great to see and fell the warmth of the sun. Perfect day to be in the park. Over the years I have hiked many trails and fly fished in several sections of the park.

: Looking back across log bridge over the creek

: Flowing water is the flow of life passing through the trail

: Trail begins to start its climb to Summerland Meadow about a mile and half in the switchback begin

: As you climb at about three-quarters of a mile in distant peaks begin to reveal them selves as the switchbacks begins

: First switchback and trust me as the climb intensifies there are plenty ahead on the Wonderland Trail Mount Rainier

: As you reach the first switchback there is also a beautiful Waterfall to spend a couple of minutes enjoy as you get ready for the climb to Summerland Meadow

: Waterfall from a different vantage point looking down being mesmerized by the flow and song of the falls in Mount Rainier National Park

: Starting to head up the mount Rainier from the valley floor at the switchback

Hike Up to Summerland Meadow, Up I Mean

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier has a special energy, like all our National Parks. Some more that others, I have felt different energies beside, before and behind me. Those bug me a bit, harder to pinpoint. Be prepared and stay aware of your surrounding at all times in the backcountry.

The forest opens to beautiful panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountain ranges, its just stunning. As I round the first switchback heading up Mount Rainier to Summerland Camp.

: Starting here Wonderland Trail to Summerland Meadow starts a steady incline getting steeper.

: As I climb the forest becomes more open with more flora along the trail

: From the trail a set of peaks become more prominent as forest opens

: A bluebird day not many clouds today. A Summer day in the Pacific Northwest

: Zooming in on the upper basin

: Sun light and sky breaking through the trees to reach the forest floor

: Upper forest as the morning light shines through it

: This mountain stays in view for at least a mile as I climb up Mount Rainier

: Looking back down the trail as I ascend through the forest

: Another view of the mountain that becomes a foreground to much grandeur peaks

: Mornings on a trail are some of life's best moments

: Forest Flora and Fauna start changing rapidly with every step as the peak of Mount Rainier comes into view.

: With each step Mount Rainier reveals a bit more of it's self

: As I climb the fauna is tight along the trails edge before it opens up to panoramas in a 360 degree view of Mount Rainier National Park

: Ever step opens up to new mountains and views along the hike to Summerland Camp

: Indian Paint Brush, the first one of the day on the trail hiking

: Second wood bridge over a creek on the trail

: Through the forest we go, where we will end up is anyone's guess

: Over the creek I go

: What a cool view

: Once out of the forest, we cross creek and the steep climb starts to Summerland Camp

: Wash coming down from Mount Rainier and bridge ahead

: Foot bridge over Frying Pan Creek

: Looking up Frying Pan Creek

: Looking up Frying Pan Creek

: Backpacker on the foot bridge

: Starting Climb up to Summerland Meadow from Frying Pan Foot Bridge

: An explosion of wildflowers begins as I ascend

: Mount Rainier begins to be part of the Panorama to Summerland Meadow

: Mount Rainier National Park is incredible, it doesn't matter which trail you are hiking in the park.

: More peaks emerge as the scenery over whelms the senses

: Rosy Spirea wildflowers make an appearance on the Wonderland Trail

: After a couple of switchbacks trail opens up small narrow valley meadow on Mount Rainier

: Mount Rainier comes back into view, in this ever changing landscape

: Redundancy of photos, with every step creating a new view from the trail

: Lupine one of my favorite wildlife flowers I was surprised to learn that there are over 30 species

: Heading back into the forest and many more switchbacks

: Valley narrows even more as the switchbacks become closer with each step

: And they begin as I start the final ascent to Summerland Meadow on Mount Rainier hiking the Wonderland Trail

: Blanketing of wildflowers, Mount Rainier has such an abundance of wildflowers, absolutely breathtaking

: Mountain has lots of old growth fir trees

: Paint Brushes on the side of Wonderland Trail

: Beauty in every direction this morning

: Another great switchback, its all about the journey

: Looking back down at the Frying Pan Creek in the canyon where we just came from.

: Mount Rainier alpine is coming soon, about a half mile left till the Summerland Meadow and Camping area

: Even though there is a flow of hikers, and backpackers going both directions. It's still a very enjoyable hike.

: Looking up to where I am headed Get Lost in America on Mount Rainier

: Mesmerized by the wildflowers along Wonderland Trail

: Opening splendor as I transverse the trail upwards

: Wildflowers looking up toward the Meadow

: Looking down through the wildflowers to the trail below

Summerland Meadow on Mount Rainier

I have arrived! Sounds good, hiking up this morning was beautiful. Bluebird type of morning with no clouds till we started entering the Summerland Meadow. A popular destination for day and through hikers, as well as weekend backpackers. There is a ranger cabin at the entrance to the camping area for questions and to deter the bears. From the meadow views of Little Tahoma Peak and the rest of mountain rages are jaw dropping. With Mount Rainier holding court over them all.

Doing a through hike or just curious Panhandle Gap is about a mile on up the trail. Next camping area from Summerland is Indian Bar 4.5 miles on up the trail. It has four campsite and one group shelter. Hike another 6.4 miles to Nickel Creek camping area or a full 7.6 to Box Canyon Trailhead. Doing a through hike from Frying Pan Trailhead to Box Canyon Trailhead is an incredible experience.

I wore the sun protective Alpine Lake hoodie hiking sections of the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. Get Lost in America on Wonderland Trail Mount Rainier

Alpine Lake Graphic Hoodie

: Mount Rainier begins it's grand appearance with every step

: Close up shot of Mount Rainier through the trees before reaching alpine

: A very majestic mountain Rainier is. It's 14,411' in elevation. I have done several 14er's in Colorado, would like to hike this one as well.

: Hiking through the last stand of forest before stepping into Summerland Meadow.

: Looking back down the trail before stepping into Summerland Meadow on the Wonderland Trail

: Mount Rainier from the lower meadow as I enter

: Our arrival

: And, Yes there are bears, one passed by while eating lunch, more on that later

: Past and Future

: Still a bit of climb up into the center of the meadow past the camping area

: Over the right shoulder hiking further into the meadow

: Patch of Lupine at the junction for the Summerland Camping Area

: Actual junction, ranger with noise blasts to scare off the bears

: I could easily camp here for a few days overnights are hard enough to book

: Looking back down a different drainage then I hiked up to Summerland Meadow

: Up a little further in search of an empty boulder for lunch and take in the panoramas on the Wonderland Trail Mount Rainier

: Lunch location, I really can't think of anywhere else I would rather be.

: Sow Black Bear and twin cubs cruise past at 50 yards while eating lunch, what a perfect day

: Looking up trail towards Panhandle Gap in Mount Rainier National Park on Wonderland Trail

: Up and hiking around on the trail

: I am bit of a camera nut and always have been. On the trail my philosophy is to create a photo trail of the trail

: Hiking up towards Panhandle Gap a few hundred yards, it's still over a mile to the gap

: Back down at the junction of my lunch break

: Beginning the trek back down to Frying Pan Creek Trailhead in Mount Rainier National Park.

: One Last Glance from the meadows edge at Mount Rainier before the real descent begins

: On down Wonderland Trail I go

: Wildflower in bloom we missed on the way up, a different view going down, always is

: Cool yellowish green moss growing on the rock in the drainage

: Looking up the drainage toward Panhandle Gap

: Its hard to leave

: Carpeting of wildflowers on Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park is almost sensory overload in Summerland Meadow

: Blanket of yellow Paint Brush wildflower on Mount Rainier in Summerland Meadow. Mount Rainier National is a real take your breath away kind of place