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The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Debrief: Gear Takeaways, Trail Thoughts
I knew this was a great trail, but was surprised by how much I truly loved it. I am planning to do it again as soon as I can. Next time…
Last Day on the Wonderful Wonderland Trail
And what an incredible hike this was. Was every moment great? Of course not. Did I cry tears of misery/frustration/anger? Of course. But I also cried tears of joy nearly every day.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 9: The Wolverine and I
It looks familiar, but I can’t quite place it. Are there badgers here? I don’t think they have badgers here. And then I see them, the long, yellow claws at the end of each foot. OH MY GOD THAT IS A WOLVERINE I AM LOOKING AT A WOLVERINE I gasp loudly. This makes the wolverine stop in its tracks, maybe 20 feet away. It looks right at me.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 8: To Nickel Creek!
Today is such a contrast already from all the previous days on trail. I have cell signal for most of the climb. Once I start descending, I parallel the main park road. I cross the road several times, encountering quite a few cars and day hikers.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 7: Town Day!
As we sit, I notice that this camp overall just feels different than the others. It is just a few years old, moved from a former camp about .2 further up the trail. The dug edges of the campsites look sharper, and the camp itself feels less established. Honestly, it lacks the history and soul the other campsites had. I’m not sure why, but it gives me the heebie-jeebies. Something about it seems creepy.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 6: Pikas and Marmots and Bears, oh my!
Not even a half mile in, I notice movement above me. I quickly turn to see a black bear feasting on huckleberries on the hill above me. I stop, and he does the same, staring at me for a long moment.
The Wonderful Wonderland Day 5: This Trail is Definitely Magic
Earlier in August, I met a PCT hiker who said she couldn’t quite understand the Timberline Trail. Why would you hike around a mountain, looking at the same thing the whole time? It couldn’t possibly change that much from each side, she said. That is absolutely not true of this mountain. Every bend brings a new, equally glorious view, continually astounding me.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 4: Is this Luxury Hiking?
I can see what once was an obvious, well-marked trail, now blocked by numerous obstacles. The marked path leads me to a dead-end. I have no choice but to pause. I look around to try to discern the most logical next step.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 3: A Magical Day in Spray Park
Today, I needed to remember the goodness in people, and the trail provided. I needed to remember that hiking is more than suffering through climbs, and the trail provided. I needed to remember why I hike, and especially why I hike solo, and the trail provided. The Wonderland Trail gifted me with true magic today in multiple forms, and I absolutely refuse to take it for granted.
The Wonderful Wonderland Trail Day 2: Granite Creek to Dick Creek
Tears spring to my eyes. I have been fighting with the bear pole for over 30 minutes. The entire time, the other hikers have been casually eating their food, watching and listening to my struggles.
