Mount Rainier National Park guide · 2 min read
Hiking the Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail is a loop of about 93 miles around Mount Rainier, and it is among the best-known backpacking routes in the country.
Most people who hike the full circuit take between nine and thirteen days. Along the way the route crosses lowland forest and valley floors, follows rivers and streams, and climbs into subalpine and alpine country. Views of the mountain change with every section, so you see it from many angles.
Backpacking is the usual way to complete the loop, with overnight camps set along the route. Deciding how many miles to cover between camps is the first major planning choice, and it depends on your own fitness and habits, which only you can judge. The trail is strenuous, with about 27,000 feet of climbing and a similar amount of descent over the full loop. Snow can linger into summer at higher elevations, and in an average snow year hikers usually wait for it to melt before setting out. Earlier trips call for winter travel skills, including navigation and ice-axe self arrest.
Overnight stays on the route need a wilderness permit. You can reserve one in advance or try for a first-come, first-served permit, but demand is high, so plan early. Hikers can also leave food and fuel in caches at several points along the loop, which lets them restock partway through the trip.
Not everyone has time for the full loop, and a section hike works well as a long day hike. Several other park trails share stretches with the route, so you can sample part of the loop without committing to all of it. Section hikes still need a permit. Emerald Ridge is a named spot along the trail on the west side of the mountain, so look for it on your map before you go.
