West side of the Wonderland Trail

I have been slowly doing different sections of the Wonderland Trail at Mt Rainier National Park. The last big piece for me to do was from Mowich Lake down to the South Puyallup River (and then hike out to Round Pass and down the Westside Road where I would have a car waiting). Our total hiking trip would be about 30 miles and 5,400 feet of elevation, which we did over two days after obtaining a walk up permit at the Ranger Station.
Even the rain could not dampen our spirits starting out on this adventure!


Wildflowers were blooming at Mowich Lake, before we entered the forest on our way down to Mowich River.

Lovely waterfall as we made our way south down the Wonderland Trail.

Gorgeous forest, filled with moss, ferns, and wildflowers like these wintergreen growing on this old log

About 3.5 miles and descending 2,400 feet, we reached the log bridge over the North Mowich River. The river was flowing fast, the log was wet and I had a little bit of vertigo so I crossed slow and carefully!

It is about 0.5 mile between the North and South Mowich Rivers. Here a fallen tree has created an archway along the Wonderland Trail.

There were 3 log bridges going over the South Mowich River, this was the longest section.

looking upstream from the bridge over the South Mowich River

The Wonderland continued south through the forest floor before soon going up 2,000 ft in about 4.5 miles.

There was lots of fungi in the forest

The trail levels out on a ridge gaining only 400 ft over the next 2 miles.   Here we began to see tiger lilies

ripe huckleberries,

bright fungi,

and shooting stars  as well as some other wildflowers as we neared Sunrise Park and Golden Lakes.

the trail passes a couple of smaller lakes

before reaching the Ranger Patrol Cabin and Golden Lakes. We were happy to take a lunch break on the covered porch as this was when the rain was the heaviest of the day.

The Golden Lake at the campsite.

The next two miles were crossing the ridge gaining only 200 ft in almost 2 miles. Here were we would see many fields of wildflowers, with lupine and heather,

lousewort and paintbrush.

The rain began to lighten a bit as we made our way across the ridge, then down 1,500 ft over the next 3+ miles to our camp at North Puyallup River.
The rain had stopped by the time we reached camp. I was so happy to set up the tent and eat dinner as the sun was beginning to shine!

The next morning, our hike began by crossing the log bridge over the North Puyallup River,

what a marvelous view! Waterfall and perhaps a view of Tokaloo Rock?

After crossing the bridge we saw lots of penstamen growing near the group campsite at the North Puyallup River.

We had another long day of hiking, so I decided to take it slow up the 1,800 ft over the next 2+ miles. More fungi.

On the way up to Aurora Park, there we would cross several fields of wildflowers. Some patches were very dense and high!

There was lots of columbine,










lupine and views,


















arnica, sitka valerian,

paintbrush, and starting to see Mt Rainier.

I was smiling from ear to ear.

besides the bright Rainier paintbrush, we saw some avalanche lilies still in bloom.

I admit, we broke out in song enjoying the beauty of God's creation!

birds-beak lousewort among the paintbrush

Looking north to the ridge we hiked over yesterday.

Hiking through Aurora Park, wildflowers and Mt Rainier, amazing!

lots and lots of wildflowers

such happy hikers are we!!!














Aurora Peak and Aurora Lake from the north side

lots of poliwogs in Aurora Lake

Mt Rainier and Aurora Peak reflecting in Aurora Lake along the Wonderland Trail

From Aurora Lake, we would hike 0.8 mile through Klapatche Park to St Andrews Lake, gaining about 300 ft.

taking the time to enjoy and saunter through Klapatche Park













paintbrush, lupine, American bistort and so much more,

tiger lilies,

buckwheat?

The wildflowers roll down the hillsides

white penstamen

so lovely

View of Rainier as the trail meanders around

braced lousewort,

and beargrass too

first view as we descend down to St Andrews Lake

Mt Rainier reflecting in St Andrews Lake

Wonderland Trail south of St Andrews Lake

The trail gains another 200 ft going up through St Andrews Park, and the wildflowers continue to be colorful and plentiful.











lots of heather in bloom

butterfly on the trail

From St Andrews park, we would re enter the forest and descend about 1,800 ft.

Exhilaration as I cross the South Puyallup River!!!

View from the bridge over the South Puyallup River

basalt columns at South Puyallup River Camp

Here we left the Wonderland Trail and hiked out on the South Puyallup Trail, 1.6 miles to the Westside Road.

As tired hikers, we missed the Round Pass Trail short cut and added about 0.5 to our overall trip.

Stopped to pay respects at the Marine Memorial at Round Pass, before continuing 4 miles down the Westside Road to where our car was waiting.


Fabulous two day adventure!!!