Backpacking the Wonderland Trail | Mt Rainier National Park
This narrated video documents our 9-day backpacking journey as we circumnavigated Mt Rainier following the classic Wonderland Trail. Many years ago Raptor and I summited Mt Rainier, so it's always been a special place to us. I used to think Mt Rainier was all about summiting the majestic mountain. Then, this year when we hiked the Wonderland Trail my attitude towards the park completely changed. There is so much more to the park than just the mountain itself. There areas around the mountain are some of the most beautiful places that I've had the chance to hike. Shortly after completing the Wonderland, I went back to do the Northern Loop just to explore the park even more. I now understand why people come from all over the world to hike in this iconic National Park.
Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/3v60wz
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:30 What is the Wonderland Trail?
01:21 Itinerary
02:03 Day 1 Longmire to Devils Dream
04:36 Day 2 Devils Dream to Klapatche Park
15:47 Day 3 Klapatche Park to Golden Lakes
21:01 Day 4 Golden Lakes to Eagles Roost
26:13 Day 5 Eagles Roost to Mystic
34:15 Day 6 Mystic to Sunrise
41:10 Day 7 Sunrise to Summerland
46:33 Day 8 Summerland to Nickel Creek
59:52 Day 9 Nickel Creek to Longmire
Пікірлер: 143
The absolute most beautiful film I've ever seen on KZread. I've watched it 3 times already. Your cinematography is beyond anything I've ever seen. I've watched 1000's of hiking and backpacking videos, to learn. You deserve an award.
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Wow, thank you very much. I look forward to making more of these style videos. Thanks again!
Stunning views! This probably took so much time to edit, thank you for that effort 🥳
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thanks @yuliyaniforets. You are absolutely right about the edit taking a while :)
Great storytelling and cinematography!
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thanks you very much for the comment. I enjoyed adding the narration to the video.
Great job interpreting a spectacular picture of Rainier. Climbed it when I turned 40 years old. Had no idea of the difficulty but the story was what’s important. Such beauty and toughness. The best that life has to offer. Love that I was afforded the opportunity.
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Summiting Rainier is quite an accomplishment. An unforgettable experience I'm sure. Cheers!
Rainier Wow Heavenly Garden It's the most beautiful and fantastic mountain scenery I've ever seen The harmony of small grasslands, wildflowers, and flowing spring water all over the place makes you feel like you're in heaven It's a place I want to go before I die Thank you for letting me see such a nice place
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Thanks, I'm glad you appreciate the beauty of Rainier.
@suecondon1685
27 күн бұрын
That's exactly how I feel seeing this. There's no chance of me ever being able to go, but it's a pleasure to see this gorgeous heavenly place. ❤
America have so many different kind of treasures. Beautiful landscapes, many great national parks, fresh mountain water, nature is pure wander. very nice video.
@cascadiahiking
22 сағат бұрын
Yes it does, thanks for watching. Cheers!
most beautiful video of wonderland trail yet!!!
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Wow, thanks!
Your voice is so calming! Thanks for taking us along.
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Happy to take people along the journey. Cheers, all the best!
Beautiful! 🥰🥰👏
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
Absolutely fabulous. Very well narrated. Peaceful sounds, majestic scenery. Ahh the sounds of the Chick-a-dees. Decent weather! I always imagine , what it was like many hundreds of years ago. I clearly remember the Carbon River suspension bridge from a hike in 1986. And we climbed down and touched the Glacier. I did the Wonderland Trail with my teenage children many years ago. I miss it so very much. I hope to do it again, before my days end.
@cascadiahiking
22 сағат бұрын
You know I too have really grown to enjoy the sounds of the chick-a-dees. I hope you get the chance to experience the beauty of the Wonderland again. Many thanks!
Magnificent! Excellent cinematography of the waterfalls (even lesser known ones like Garda Falls), the snouts of Winthrop and Carbon Glaciers, and of course spectacular views from Emerald Ridge, Andrew Park, Indian Henry Hunting Ground, Berkeley Park, Summerland, and Indian Bar. One of the surprises to me was the format and narration; your voice has a soothing sonic quality and it fit really well; it effectively augmented and humanized the narrative aspect. Truly a fantastic effort; thank you for sharing!
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for the feedback. Sounds like you are very familiar with the trail. What a beautiful place. Cheers!
@Waterboyofsuperman
4 ай бұрын
@@cascadiahiking I’ve regrettably not been (I currently live far away from PNW) but tentatively planning a trip to Mt Rainier this summer. I’ve seen many (maybe way too many) videos and trip reports on the Wonderland trail, though, so I’m certainly a fan. Again, thanks for the excellent video!
Klapatche Park is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and /or camped. Mother mountain ❤️ thanks for capturing her so beautifully
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Klapatche really is special. Thanks for the comment. Happy Trails!
Absolutely enjoying your style of videos presentations.
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for that feedback!
Wow!! Stunning views. Enjoyed the video very much. Thank you for sharing.
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Many thanks @KhurshidsChannel!
Great video, peaceful music, views majestic, and your narrative so upbeat and positive in such a negative, tired world. Thank you for the respite.
@cascadiahiking
16 күн бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate you taking the time to give such a thoughtful comment. Cheers!
Loved the music perfectly paired with the grandeur of the scenery. The gentle narration was like watching a full-on documentary. Beautifully done, looking forward to more videos.
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Wow, thank you very much for the thoughtful response! Happy Trails!
Wow! An absolutely stunningly beautiful video! Your videoing and editing skills are great and voice over and music are wonderful as well! 😊❤
@cascadiahiking
15 күн бұрын
Thank you so much 🤗
Such a beautiful programme. So peaceful. Thank you so much for sharing your hike with us. I loved every minute. 🙂
@cascadiahiking
21 күн бұрын
So glad to hear that. Thanks for watching. Cheers!
Your voice, the music, and the video are a perfect combination. Very relaxing.
@cascadiahiking
18 күн бұрын
Wow, thank you for taking the time to give me feedback. Much appreciated. All the best! -Cascadia
Super great job videoing. I never did the Wonderland trail, just parts of it.I call it MOUNTAIN HEAVEN.
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the feedback. I agree, it really is mountain heaven!
I enjoyed this very much! Wonderland Trail is definitely on my bucket list!
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, it should be added to your bucket list!
Just lucked into finding this thoughtful video! Beautiful video enriched with factual narration and subtitled landmarks. Thank you for sharing your hike so creatively.
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the feedback. Cheers!
Wow through the whole video. 😊
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thanks for making it through the whole video. Even as we were finishing up on the last day, Rainier still had more beauty to share. The waterfalls on that last day were quite the treat.
Most excellent....!!! Thank you so much ......also loved the camp and cooking scenes......!!!
@cascadiahiking
2 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed them. I was actually thinking when I made the video that I needed to cut some of that out! Glad I didn't since I feel like its part of the experience.
Stunning. What a fantastic adventure. Beautiful story and scenery. Thanks for sharing!
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Too beautiful for words. Brings tears of joy
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Agree, such a beautiful place, MRNP!
This was a treat to watch! Thank you for sharing your experience
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
My pleasure. Thanks for watching and thanks for taking the time to comment. All the best!
Absolutely gorgeous !! 😮 well done
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
Thank you so much. All the best!
Kudos on the outstanding videography! I lived in Seattle for 8 years, but barely scratched the surface of hiking there, apparently. I need to plan a full Wonderland Trail adventure.
@cascadiahiking
21 күн бұрын
Thank you. Yes put it on your list, it's a great experience. Cheers!
Stunning🌟Your filming is fantastic.Great voice for a relaxing narration.I hope your friend Maria survived her cancer dx.🌲
@cascadiahiking
21 күн бұрын
Thank you very much for the feedback. Actually Maria is alive and well. It was someone else that we met on trail that had the cancer diagnosis. I'm not sure her outcome but I hope she is well. All I can remember is how happy she was to be there. It was a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each experience. She was cherishing that experience.
Heaven on earth. What a beautiful experience. It's one for my bucket list. Thank you for sharing🤗
@cascadiahiking
26 күн бұрын
My pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It was heaven!
this was so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this :)
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thank you so much!
Thank you for bringing back the memories from last year--I did the WT with Sierra Club a couple months after you. in September. I can just feel the awe, the surprise, the joy, the soreness, the pain (bee stings!), the heat, the cold, the freedom, and the friendship all over again. Stunning video!
@cascadiahiking
29 күн бұрын
My pleasure! Congrats on your WT trek, sounds like you had a similar great experience apart from the bee stings!
What a masterpiece!! As stated at the end, GRATITUDE!! From other vids of this trail, I expected there to be sketchy creek crossing. I guess it's a time of year thing with how quick the melt out was and how quickly the log bridges get replaced?? What a truck load of gain and loss!!! Any hints on the permitting, and food cache strategy? THX
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thanks. Yeah the creek crossings were fine by the time we did our trip. There were logs or bridges across all of them. There are up to 3 food cache opportunities (Longmire, Mowich, White River). My advice, mail them ahead of time with at least 2 weeks to spare. That will give enough time to confirm that they arrived at the actual place that will be holding them (this is mostly only an issue for Mowich Lake) since you don't actually mail to the ranger cabin. More info here: www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/caching-food-and-fuel.htm. On permitting, the early access is the way to go if you get selected. I didn't get selected this year but you can try for a walk-up. The 5 star camps are likely taken but they sometimes open up. Several people that were doing the trail were using the walk-up method.
Amazing views with soothing narration. Looking forward to more of the same.
@cascadiahiking
9 күн бұрын
More to come... Cheers!
Very beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
@cascadiahiking
16 күн бұрын
Thank you for watching!
Loved the video. Thanks so much for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
@cascadiahiking
18 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching! I'm looking forward to more adventures. Happy Trails!
This video is life changing thank you
@cascadiahiking
4 күн бұрын
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Thank You ; such a very beautiful video 🍂👍🏻
@cascadiahiking
18 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers!
Hoping to make the journey ourselves this year! Thanks for all the knowledge!
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
You're welcome. Best of luck!
This looks like a fairy tale. Thank you for capturing it so beautifully!
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, there were parts that were pretty extraordinary!
Thank you for this wonderful film. I am 92 and wished I could have walked every step with you.
@cascadiahiking
22 күн бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I'm glad to share the experience with those that very much appreciate it.
That was a beautiful walk!!
@cascadiahiking
21 күн бұрын
The Wonderland Trail is indeed beautiful!
So well done!!!
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thank you very much. Happy Trails!
What month and year was this taken in? The weather and wildflowers look amazing.
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Hi, We hiked this during the third week of July 2023. Yes, the wildflowers were incredible.
Great video! 👍👍
@cascadiahiking
9 күн бұрын
Thank you! 👍
good play....bravo
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thanks very much!
I was living in Seattle for 4 months, not sure how I missed mount Rainier. I hope I'll go back to hike on Mt Rainier national park
@cascadiahiking
22 күн бұрын
I wouldn't feel bad about that. It was years here before I really discovered hiking in MRNP. Then, when I did, I thought "wow, how did I not discover this earlier". I hope you get to experience it soon. When you make it back here, definitely check it out. Cheers!
This is my favourite KZread video ever made!
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Wow, thanks for the comment!
wow interesting experience
@cascadiahiking
21 сағат бұрын
Yes it was!
@aRVeesBlog
15 сағат бұрын
@@cascadiahiking cheers
❤️ inspired me to do it one day
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Glad to hear that. Thanks
So much beauty on your trail walk. We’re you nervous about running into bears? Thank you for filming. This is one place I’ll probably never visit. 😊
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thanks. No, not really nervous about Black Bears (grizzlies are different story). We follow safe practices when recreating in bear country such as food storage, making noise so as not to surprise a bear, etc.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
@cascadiahiking
14 күн бұрын
Thank you for the feedback. Cheers!
Insanely well done video. I'm hoping to get permits for the Wonderland Trail this summer. Do you have a lighterpack or gear list you don't mind sharing? I'm also curious what you shot the video with? Was it a phone or camera?
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
Thanks @bradrogers2427 for the feedback. I do have a lighterpack (lighterpack.com/r/xuuyk8) although I need to update it to reflect some changes I made this last year. I'm finishing up another trip video and then my next video will be a complete gear list. Main changes have been the switch to the Durston X-Mid Pro1, Kakwa 40, Feathered Friends Flicker 20 and BD Distance Carbon FLZ poles. You have a keen eye with the camera question. I normally shoot with a Sony Mirrorless Camera but chose to go lighter for the Wonderland. Since I was hiking with a partner, I really didn't have time to setup a tripod for all the shots. Instead, this was completely filmed with the iPhone 14 Pro. I did bring a small tripod but most shots were handheld. I was pleasantly surprised with the results from the iPhone. Cheers!
@cascadiahiking
4 ай бұрын
@bradrogers2427, FYI, I just added a gearlist for this trip. Link is in the description of the video.
What is the name of the white puffy flowers? Those are beautiful. 😮
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Yes they are. Those are white avalanche lilies.
Wow great .... amazing trekking and hiking job bro .... just a little correction needed at point 0:30s , elevation is 14,410 feet [4,392 meters] ...otherwise lovely landscapes ...
@cascadiahiking
18 күн бұрын
Thanks, it was a very rewarding journey. The 27K elevation gain refers to the total elevation gain over the 93 miles of the Wonderland Trail (implied but maybe confusing on my graphic) vs the elevation of the summit at 14K. Cheers!
Where exactly were those "sub-alpine meadows" in the next-to-last section, coming down to Nickel Creek? That seems like a place I'd like to try to get to!
@cascadiahiking
18 күн бұрын
It was on the last climb before you begin the descent to Nickel Creek. I've had a few moments where the beauty of nature was overwhelming, that was one of them. Absolute beauty!
is there any opportunity for swimming in lakes or anything on this trail? amazing video
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
Thanks. There are several lakes on the route, but I'd check the park rules or contact one of the ranger stations to ask them about swimming. They have some pretty strict rules around water sources and preservation of the wilderness.
Loved the video. maybe i missed it but what time of year was your trip?
@cascadiahiking
2 ай бұрын
Thanks, we did this the third week of July.
@CraigObristPhotography
2 ай бұрын
Awesome thanks. We won the lottery on wonderland and the enchantment core as well and trying to put together our itinerary but it's going to be more like late august for us. Hope the water is still flowing just as much. Last time I was there in September it was a dry spell and not as green. Thanks for the great vid!@@cascadiahiking
@cascadiahiking
2 ай бұрын
Thanks, wow you really hit the lottery. I tried for both this year, hoping for one and got denied on both. 😂 Oh well, there's always the walk-up permit. Enjoy, you'll have a great time on both those trips. Cheers!
I really want to do this trail but I am concerned bout elevation changes as I am coming from NC any thoughts? did you have these concerns and how did you overcome? thank you Bug
@cascadiahiking
3 ай бұрын
I certainly was concerned about the elevation gain/loss but we did a few things to help with this. We did the trail in 9 days instead of fewer days. This of course would have meant more elevation/day if we completed it in less than 9 days (I linked a planner in the description). Second, we really tried to lighten our packs as much as possible (my gear list in the description). This made the gain/loss much easier. You can take advantage of the food cache locations so you don't have to carry as much food which can be very heavy. Also, each camp has a bear pole so no bear canister is needed. Last, my neighborhood is pretty hilly so I did hill repeats a few days a week to prep my legs for the climbing and descending. Stadium steps would work too. I hope this info helps. Cheers!
Indian Hunting ground is sooooooo beautiful. Is Henry's cabin still in use?
@cascadiahiking
22 сағат бұрын
It sure is beautiful. I believe it is still in use. We found the door open and took a peak inside.
Wow! We are amazed at this beauty because it draws us to our Creator, Christ the Lord. Places like this bring us to tears of joy because our spirit longs to praise Christ, Who is worthy of all the glory! We were created in His image to know Him. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
WHat s stunning trail and video! What camera did you use?
@cascadiahiking
26 күн бұрын
Thanks, I normally use a Sony Mirrorless Camera for all my videos. For this one, I changed my approach for 2 reasons. For one, I was hiking with someone else so it wasn't practical to take all the time to set up the camera and tripod for every clip like I normally do. Second, this trail has a lot of elevation gain so I wanted to go as light as possible. So, I opted to use my phone. All of it was shot on an iPhone 14 Pro. This is what both of us used to record all the clips in the video. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers!
What is the best time to hike this national park? Because I’m making plan to visit mid July from ohio this year.
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
IMHO, mid to end of July is the best time. Most of the snow on trail should be melted out by then unless is its a high snowpack year. Wildflowers will be out, days are long, not too hot. There are bugs but they aren't too bad in most areas. Have fun!
What dates did you go? We may have started about same date, going opposite direction. Basing that on weather, snow at pass, etc.
@cascadiahiking
22 сағат бұрын
We did the trip the last week of July. How does that compare with your trip?
Bro what is the location of that pink flowers Garden
@cascadiahiking
Ай бұрын
What timestamp in the video?
I don't think I would feel comfortable spend the night in Devil's Dream camp. Not a very pleasant camp name. lol. I might have nightmare just with the camp name alone.
@cascadiahiking
22 сағат бұрын
It was hands down an unenjoyable camp 😞
Stunning! Did you experience much hiker traffic in July? My experience is that July provides alot of much appreciated solitude, but I haven't been on the wonderland trail or WA sections of the PCT since the '90s.
@cascadiahiking
2 ай бұрын
Thanks, the traffic on the Wonderland wasn't that heavy. The scarce permits really limit the number of people on the trail. Probably a good thing to protect the area so that future generations can have a true wilderness experience.