I think I got my Wonderland Trail permit aproved!

They billed me a week or so before I received my approved itinerary in the mail so I'd say it sounds promising for sure.

Considering that they have the following on their website, I'd say you lucked out:

http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wilderness-camping-and-hiking.htm

May 14, 2013: Attempting to reserve camps to hike the entire Wonderland Trail, or a large part of it, is no longer possible for trips starting between July 13 and September 25. See the FULL CAMPS list below. The number of applications for the Wonderland Trail are unprecedented this season.

I'm going the first week in August. When are you going?

Ian – I read that disclaimer and that's where I found the list of booked camp sites.

I carefully chose all of my camps on my itinerary to be open. I was stoked to find a good 6 day with a max of 17.6 miles. I think a few camps might not be the best choice, but I'd take that over not getting to do the WT.

This will be the 1 year anniversary from my first backpacking trip.

The trip is 8/5-8/11

-Loki

Every year the talk of the Wonderland makes me want to do it again.

Hi Jeffs 11,

Based on your experience, do you think shepherd stakes are ok for the WT campsites or would ground hogs be a better choice?

The ground is pretty firm, I bet shepherds would be ok. I don't have a lot of experience with them. I carry ground hogs all the time for my main peg points.

But the ground is firm so…

Several weeks ago I was in your shoes seeing that the NPS had charged $20 to my credit card. Unfortunately when I got my permit letter in the mail they had changed the dates for my hike and their dates will not work for me. I do remember seeing a section on the application about date flexibility; which I did not fill out. At least I am out only $20. Hope your luck is better!

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