Wonderland Trail, Wonderland Trail - Mowich to Longmire, Wonderland Trail - Ipsut Creek to Mystic Lake, Wonderland Trail - Mowich Lake to Sunrise via Spray Park & Summerland - Panhandle Gap — Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023

I had a wonderful four days on the wonderland trail. I started / finished at the Sunrise parking lot. Camped at Maple Creek, S. Puyallup and Eagle’s Roost. Took Spray Park Alternate. TLDR trail is in great condition. You should have minimal concerns. Get out there and have some fun.

Detailed Conditions report

Water

Plenty of water - I had no need for more than 1L carrying capacity. There is a dry section between Indian Bar and Nickel Creek. S. Puyallup was pretty much dry - there was a small bit of standing water left but should be gone shortly. There are two sources close to the camp though - one in either direction.

Camps

All generally present. Maple Creek was a touch buggy and an aggressive chipmunk climbed my tent’s mesh walls at least four times. Maybe more while I slept. S. Puyallup is mostly dry but rangers should tell you that on check in. Sunrise had habituated deer at site 7.

Bugs / Wildlife

Very minimal bugs. Much less than I expected. A fully enclosed shelter is not needed - a tarp would have been totally fine. I cowboy camped on clear nights. I had long pants and a bug shirt on which helped in some sections but may have been generally overkill. Did not need my headnet.

Devils Dream was buggy as usual but I didn’t get any bites. Maple Creek was buggy during the day but by night time they were mostly gone.

Some habituated deer were grazing at Sunrise camp both on my first day and again when I passed by on the exit. There was a habituated bear as well by the Mowich Lake / Wonderland Trail junction. Please be aware of bear protocol if you’re in the area.

Crossings / Blowdowns / Snow

All crossings were in. Nickel Creek crossing was damaged, the bridge was turned on its side. I was able to cross on the bridge but it was precarious (see attached picture). Only a handful of blowdowns mostly between s. Puyallup and Sunrise. All passable. Minor snow at Panhandle Gap and Spray park. All snow is easily passable without trekking poles or traction devices.

Flowers

Mostly past peak. Possibly just at peak between Granite Creek and Skyscraper pass (above Berkeley Park).

Views

Got lucky - was able to see most Cascade volcanos including three sisters (I’m pretty sure!), Adams, Rainier (obviously), Glacier and Baker. Some Stuart views near the Cowlitz divide

Special thanks to Nancy and Dave who gave me some extra blister bandaids. I was certainly in need and will pass it on to future hikers!

Gear list: https://lighterpack.com/r/9rp1q2