Mount Rainier's beloved Wonderland Trail entirely reopened

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By Kristin Jackson
Seattle Times travel staff

Backpackers can now hike the entire, and beloved, Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier National Park after new steel footbridges were placed at three spots on the trail this week.

Parts of the trail, including bridges, had been wiped out by severe fall floods; until now it was not possible to hike the entire 93-mile-long trail which encircles Mount Rainier.

Park staff and volunteers, including from the Washington Trails Association and the Student Conservation Association, worked to repair and fully reopen the Wonderland Trail, one of North America's classic backpacks.

Hikers and backpackers on the trail will see the storm aftermath, including washouts and downed trees, and still will have to walk along the park road in the Stevens Canyon area:

"Trail users will get a first-hand view of the extensive damage that occurred throughout the park during the rain and windstorms last fall," said the park in announcing the reopening today.

Hikers on day trips on the Wonderland Trail, which has various access points in the park, do not need a permit. Anyone backcountry-camping along the Wonderland Trail must obtain a permit. Get information at www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wilderness-camping-and-hiking.htm or phone the park's Wilderness Information Center at 360-569-HIKE.

from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2003820451_webwonderlandtrail03.html

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Wonderland Trail reopens, but detours remain

New bridges have been flown into Mount Rainier National Park, but hikers still have to use the road through Stevens Canyon.

JEFFREY P. MAYOR
The News Tribune

With the placement of three new steel bridges last week, Mount Rainier National Park is issuing permits for hiking the entire Wonderland Trail for the rest of the season.
Bridges were flown in by helicopter at the North Puyallup River crossing and at two locations in Stevens Canyon. The flights were part of the effort to rebuild the park’s backcountry trail system following rain and windstorms last fall.

There are several locations where the trail has been rerouted. In addition, hikers will have to walk along the road in the Stevens Canyon area. Even though the bridges were flown in, that portion of the 95-mile trail is still unusable.

Hikers should be aware there is still trail damage throughout the park. Repair is ongoing, and visitors must be be cautious and safe when hiking.

Those wanting to make Wonderland Trail reservations can do so through the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wilderness-camping-and-hiking.htm.

source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/129129.html