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Soph and I (on left) just got back from a hike of the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park. We hiked with another couple, Dave and Wendy, 94 miles around the base of Mt. Rainier. There was good weather every day, and everyone had a great time. We are now tired, but I wish I was still out on the trail. Peter Kazarinoff - Sept. 2008
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Day 2. Wonderful and long day of hiking. Beautiful views and an alpine zone. Big suspension bridge across the river down from the Tacoma Glacier. Great lunch site with the trail’s best bathroom at N. Puyallup River. |
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| Day 3. Coldest part of the day?- A cool dip in Golden Lake. Slept in a little bit on our shortest mileage day, then hit the trail. Easy walk most of the day. Stopped on the side of a ridge, filled with blue berries, for a little break. Soph spotted a mamma bear and cub in the meadow below us |
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The famous Wonderland Trail, which completely circles Mount Rainier, is not only the finest long hike in Washington; it is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. The route provides a generous sampling of all the attractions in the Cascade Range including meadows choked with wildflowers, abundant and varied wildlife, old-growth forests, huge glaciers, impressive waterfalls, and scenic beauty. |
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Day 4. Beautiful breakfast spot at Golden Lakes, then we hauled all the way down to the South Mowich River. After eating lunch at the river, we walked through beautiful weather and forest to Mowich Lake. Peter had a sits bath, and Dave dunked his head in the lake. Cold water, but it felt good. |
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Day 5. Started out the day climbing up to spray park. A beautiful walk through a pristine alpine meadow, with amazing views in both directions. Slid down two separate snow fields as part of the best hiking day so far. |
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Day 6. Woke up early in the morning and only drank coffee while packing up camp. Hit the trail by 7:15am and flew down the hill from Mystic Lake. Pushed up to Granite Creek and the mountain pass just beyond. Spectacular views up on the pass during a cold breakfast. Clouds cleared from the big mountain as we ate. |
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Day 7. Walked out of Sunrise with an eggs and jerky breakfast in our bellies. Quick walk down the hill into the white river campground. After filling up with water, and barrowing some TP from the national parks service, we wandered around looking for the trail.
(Soph doesn't know, but Wendy and Dave are kissing to show how a couple can be out on the trail.)
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Day 8. Left Summerland after an oatmeal breakfast. A beautiful sunny day walking thru panhandle gap and Ohanapeche Park. Beautiful views of Mt. Rainier as well as Mt. Adams and Hood in the distance. We happened upon a group of mountain goats that contained a couple of small kid goats.
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Day 9. Woke up at Nickel Creek. Quick walk down to Box Canyon and a trash drop. Cold breakfast at Maple Creek and then one more hill to crest. Lunch at Reflection Lake and a bit of road walking and crossing before the rush down to Longmire. We arrived stinky and dirty to the car at 2:30PM. Sophie and Peter (on right) at the end of the trail. |
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