Longmire to Paradise

The Longmire to Paradise section of the Wonderland is a terrific combination of strenuous and cushy hiking, with a series of lovely waterfalls — Carter, Madcap, and Narada — thrown in for good measure.

Park in the giant Longmire Information Center parking lot with flush toilets and walk across the lot to the Wonderland Trail sign near the museum. It's wide and well-maintained as you head east, staying under beautiful old-growth canopy for two miles, and come out at a roadside viewpoint overlooking the Nisqually river. Following the sign to your right, go down the small hill to the riverbed.

Off to your right a few hundred yards you'll see a log bridge crossing a narrow bit of the river. There's a fairly well-marked path over to the bridge through the wide boulder-strewn river bed, marked by cairns, so you're walking mainly on sand, not rocks. Cross the sturdy bridge and continue to your left. The path is a little more faint here, but you can't get lost since you can always look back and see the bridge.

The trail re-enters the forest in another hundred yards or so, climbing parallel to the river but now more steeply upwards, though still on smooth, wide trail. You'll come to Carter Falls, then Madcap Falls, then the unbelievably beautiful, huge Narada Falls. Continue upwards, crossing the road to pick up the trail and continue to Paradise. When the trail ends, cross the road to the Visitor's Center for lunch. Return the way you came.