View Full Version : Seattle-Wonderland Trail shuttle?
aaronthebugbuffet
12-17-2006, 04:46
:-? I am flying in to Seattle to hike The Wonderland Trail this summer and was looking for info on getting to the park from the airport and back. In my search I found contact info for Gray Line, Rainier Shuttle and Ashford Mtn Center. I was wondering if anyone has used any of these services and would like to comment on them or has info on other options. I would appreciate any advice or input you all may have. Thanks
:-? I am flying in to Seattle to hike The Wonderland Trail this summer and was looking for info on getting to the park from the airport and back. In my search I found contact info for Gray Line, Rainier Shuttle and Ashford Mtn Center. I was wondering if anyone has used any of these services and would like to comment on them or has info on other options. I would appreciate any advice or input you all may have. Thanks
You better check on the condition of the Wonderland Trail before travling out there. After the recent flooding much of the trail was washed out and will take years to repair.
http://www.nps.gov/mora/parknews/november-2006-flooding.htm#CP_JUMP_137511
terrapin_too
12-17-2006, 10:41
You better check on the condition of the Wonderland Trail before travling out there. After the recent flooding much of the trail was washed out and will take years to repair.
http://www.nps.gov/mora/parknews/november-2006-flooding.htm#CP_JUMP_137511
Good point. The whole Pacific northwest has really been taking a beating these last few days and weeks. There was extensive flooding around Mt. Hood, and even Glacier National Park took some serious hits. Greenhouse, shmeenhouse. ;)
StarLyte
12-17-2006, 11:52
:-? I am flying in to Seattle to hike The Wonderland Trail this summer and was looking for info on getting to the park from the airport and back. In my search I found contact info for Gray Line, Rainier Shuttle and Ashford Mtn Center. I was wondering if anyone has used any of these services and would like to comment on them or has info on other options. I would appreciate any advice or input you all may have. Thanks
www.trailjournals.com
www.trailjournals.com (http://www.trailjournals.com)
Yappy's (my 1st mentor) WT journal, before the flood.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=4812
Hey, BTW, the mountain in the background of my avatar is Mt Rainier, which of course the WT circles. The foreground, the PCT in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Shutterbug
12-19-2006, 01:36
:-? I am flying in to Seattle to hike The Wonderland Trail this summer and was looking for info on getting to the park from the airport and back. In my search I found contact info for Gray Line, Rainier Shuttle and Ashford Mtn Center. I was wondering if anyone has used any of these services and would like to comment on them or has info on other options. I would appreciate any advice or input you all may have. Thanks
Although I have not actually used any of the shuttles, I have visited with a lot of other hikers who were waiting for the shuttle at Longmier while I have been waiting for my ride too. The only complaints I have heard have related to not being sure of a seat on the shuttle unless you have a reservation. Who knows when to schedule a reservation for the return trip?
I have also talked to a few who made the mistake of taking the shuttle to Paradise rather than to Longmier. Paradise isn't on the Wonderland Trail.
As for the prospects of hiking the Wonderland next summer, my advice would be to schedule your hike for late in the season and allow plenty of time. It is almost certain that there will be detours that add to the length of the trail.
If you need any advice, I am familiar with all of the Wonderland. In fact, I have pictures of most of it.
Cookerhiker
12-19-2006, 20:30
You better check on the condition of the Wonderland Trail before travling out there. After the recent flooding much of the trail was washed out and will take years to repair.
http://www.nps.gov/mora/parknews/november-2006-flooding.htm#CP_JUMP_137511
Thanks for bringing this up Sly. I was also strongly leaning to hiking the Wonderland Trail this August - looks like I'll have to reassess. Parhaps I'll try the Wind River Range.
Shutterbug
12-19-2006, 23:59
Thanks for bringing this up Sly. I was also strongly leaning to hiking the Wonderland Trail this August - looks like I'll have to reassess. Parhaps I'll try the Wind River Range.
Don't give up on the Wonderland Trail. None of the damage described in the referenced memo really effects the Wonderland Trail. I am sure that there are a lot of blow downs, but there are always blow downs on the trail.
From what I have heard, the section of the Wonderland Trail that will take the longest to restore is between Mystic Lake and Sunrise. In that area, the trail crosses a steep slope. The trail is completely gone down to the bare rock surface. Replacing the trail will probably require some blasting. It will probably be necessary to reroute the Wonderland around the Northern Loop for this year. That will add a day or two to the hike, but won't lessen the experience.
On the south part of the Wonderland the log bridges are out, but should be back by August. If they aren't, there are easy ways to bypass them.
August is a good time to do the Wonderland. I have hike it in June, August and September. September is actually the best. June has too many bugs.
aaronthebugbuffet
01-03-2007, 06:34
Don't give up on the Wonderland Trail. None of the damage described in the referenced memo really effects the Wonderland Trail. I am sure that there are a lot of blow downs, but there are always blow downs on the trail.
From what I have heard, the section of the Wonderland Trail that will take the longest to restore is between Mystic Lake and Sunrise. In that area, the trail crosses a steep slope. The trail is completely gone down to the bare rock surface. Replacing the trail will probably require some blasting. It will probably be necessary to reroute the Wonderland around the Northern Loop for this year. That will add a day or two to the hike, but won't lessen the experience.
On the south part of the Wonderland the log bridges are out, but should be back by August. If they aren't, there are easy ways to bypass them.
August is a good time to do the Wonderland. I have hike it in June, August and September. September is actually the best. June has too many bugs.
Thanks for the update Shutterbug. I'm heading out there anyway so hopefully I'll get my hike in as well. Please keep us informed of any new info.
Shutterbug
05-26-2007, 16:20
Thanks for the update Shutterbug. I'm heading out there anyway so hopefully I'll get my hike in as well. Please keep us informed of any new info.
I visited Mt. Rainier National Park yesterday (May 25, 2007). The Park Service has made a lot of progress in repairing the damage from last winter's storms, but it is still too early to tell if it will be possible to hike the Wonderland Trail this year. I hiked the section of the Wonderland Trail from Couger Rock to a half mile beyond Carter Falls.
From what I saw, the trail damage isn't any worse than a normal year. There is just more of it. There are always blow downs across the trail, but this year there are more than usual.
The damage that is creating the questions about the Wonderland Trail relate to a number of important brideges. They say that the suspension bridge across Kautz Creek is out. Access to the bridge is still blocked by snow. If the bridge can't be repaired, the alternate route would add a couple of days to the Wonderland Trail.
The other location in question is just north of Summerland. A bridge between the White River camp ground and Summerland is out. If that bridge can't be repaired, the east side of the Wonderland Trail will be blocked. The detour there would add a couple of days.
The final complicating factor is camp sites. A number of the camp sites are closed. Without those camp sites, the distance between camps is farther than most people can cover in a day.
So, those who are planning to hike the Wonderland Trail this year should be flexible. I suspect that it will be possible to do the hike in September, but one may have two detours that would add 4 days to the hike. If you are an average hiker, plan for 10 to 12 days to do the hike.