Considering the Wonderland Trail

Hi Diana,
I just got back from five days in Rainier NP (will post trip report in a couple days, after I get caught up on some other things). I hiked Northern Loop + Mother Mountain Loop + the three Burroughs. Plenty of snow across Windy Gap (not on WT) and on the Spray Park alternate route that many people take on WT (I did, when I hiked the WT several years ago). No need for axe, although north side of First Burroughs was a little hairy. A little routefinding across Windy Gap, and would have been across Seattle and Spray Parks, but there was good boot print there. Not too much traffic–getting on the trail before 7am, I usually could go all morning without seeing anyone. Talked to two solo hikers and a couple who were about to finish the WT–no real problems reported.

My starting weight was ~15#, wore Inov8 295s, and used poles. Every other hiker I saw was traditional, with boots and big backpacks.

Snow is melting fast. Bugs are bad in places.

Here's pics of a trail sign in Berkeley Park, from 4 Aug when I started, and 7 Aug when I was back at Sunrise:

David,

Thanks for the quick response. Based on your post and on the information the ranger gave me, I will probably decide to go for it. If so, I may leave within a few days. Perhaps your trip report will be posted by then.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Based on my experience last week, it's probably a rare opportunity to hike the WT with a minimum number of other people on the trail. And even though there was plenty of snow, I had nice weather all five days (some fog on days 3-4, but no precip). Temps were comfortable, with coldest night (Dick Creek camp) maybe a hair below 40*.

Have a good hike.