Wonderland Trail — Sunday, Jul. 23, 2023

Longmire clockwise, traditional route, 7/23-7/29. Camped at S Puyallup, Golden Lakes, Ipsut Creek, Granite Creek, Summerland, and Maple Creek. Cached food at Carbon/Mowich and White River. Breathtakingly spectacular all around. Trail is in great condition for the most part--many thanks to the many NPS trail crew members we encountered to keep it so. A few nuisance blow-downs between Aurora Park and N Puyallup. 5-6 remaining minor snowfields near Panhandle Gap, one steep enough to require care traversing with heavy pack, and washouts with loose footing requiring care just downhill from Dick's Creek camp and near Martha Falls. Camps at high elevations were colder than anticipated in the mornings. Bugs were bad around Devil's Dream and west side generally but otherwise negligible to nonexistent. Wildflowers were at absolute peak. FarOut app was very helpful for planning for reliable water sources; no water over long stretch between Indian Bar and Nickel Creek. Can't choose a favorite part--it was all phenomenal.