We got an early start for this long day hike, about 16 miles one way with 4100 ft elevation gain.
I'm using the distances given my Mt Rainier National Park, other hikers have said this section of the Wonderland Trail is closer to 20 miles in length.
On the drive up we saw a coyote cross the road and elk.
The trail began for us at the trailhead at Frying Pan Creek
We quickly made our way up to Summerland (4.2 miles, 2000 ft elevation gain)
not many wildflowers this late in the summer.
We stopped for a snack and saw this marmot sunning himself on the rocks.
From Summerland we climbed above the tree line, crossed the log bridge across the creek and ascending through the basin below Frying Pan Glacier. We stopped to admire the view, a turquoise tarn in the foreground and the top of Mt Rainier peaking above Meany Crest.
Panhandle Gap is 6 miles from the trailhead and almost 3000 ft elevation gain from the trailhead.
This is the highest point of the Wonderland Trail at 6800 ft.
There was a bit of snow on the trail just before the Gap.
We climbed up the ridge on the east side of Panhandle Gap to have an early lunch
and enjoy the views. The Gap in the foreground (with people standing on it)
We also saw a couple of herds of mountain goats.
From Panhandle Gap to Indian Bar Camp is 3.7 miles.
The first portion skirts along the upper edge of Ohanapecosh Park for about a mile.
Before ascending a small ridge, we had a couple of icy snow patches to cross.
Looking south, Mt. Adams and the Goat Rocks in the distance. We saw Mt. Hood too.
The Wonderland Trail descends 1700 ft to Indian Bar, this section looks across
the Ohanapecosh River to the Ohanapecosh Glacier, with many waterfalls and ice caves below.
The wildflowers were past peak, but still beautiful at Indian Bar (8.7 miles hiked so far),
a great place to rest, have second lunch and admire the views.
Wauhaudaupauken Falls as seen from the bridge crossing at Indian Bar
From Indian Bar we climbed 1000 ft up to the Cowlitz Ridge.
Indian Bar is in the valley below.
The views from the upper end of the Cowlitz Divide were fabulous.
Here the Cowlitz Chimneys to the north.
Looking down the Cowlitz Divide to the south, in the distance Mt Adams. We would have a few uphill portions, but this section of the trail descends 1200 ft.
Our brother was able to superimpose this portion of our hike
onto the photo below (Indian Bar is hidden between the ridges):
Until we entered the woods, we could see Mt Rainier and Mt. Tahoma behind us.
onto the photo below (Indian Bar is hidden between the ridges):
At the end of Cowlitz Divide portion of the trail (4.6 miles from Indian Bar; 13.3 miles from our trail start), the trail divides. To the east is the Olallie Creek trail that takes you to the Stevens Canyon Entrance. We choose to Continue on the Wonderland trail that heads west.
This last portion of the hike is 3 miles down to Nickel Creek, and then to Box Canyon (1700ft descent), where our wonderful day ended (16+ miles, we took 11 hours, no rush).
Log bridge crossing Nickel Creek, first water since Indian Bar.
Big thanks to my DH, who picked us up at Box Canyon
and drove my brother and sister back to the car at the trailhead.
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