Backpacking the Northwest

Directions: The road to this trailhead is generally closed from November to May. Check the Mt. Rainier National Park website for the Stevens Canyon Road opening and closing dates. From Portland, take I-5 north for about 70 miles. Take exit 68 from I-5 to Hwy 12. Drive about 59 miles from I-5 to Packwood. Drive [...]

Posted by Terry Richard June 18, 2007 08:59AM Categories: Western Washington Planning a summer visit to Mount Rainier National Park? Be sure to check ahead to make sure the roads and trails you plan to use will be open. The mammoth rain storms of last November left the park with much to repair.  Click on [...]

I want to continue to add places of interest on the map, and I will include Lat/Long and elevation info as I go. Works best in Firefox Rainier Map So far you can visit Longmire Mowich Lake Paradise

Trails and Backcountry Camp Conditions

RETURN TO THE WILDERNESS CAMPING AND HIKING HOMEPAGE

A large blowdown on the Wonderland Trail
The Trail Crew clearing a large tree from the Wonderland Trail

NEWS:
The Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge (Wonderland Trail), is closed due to damage from this winter’s flood until further notice. Critical anchor points for supporting guy wires for the bridge have been found to be damaged, and must be repaired before safe access across the bridge can be resumed. Please check with the park’s Wilderness Information Center for alternative route information.

NO WONDERLAND TRAIL RESERVATIONS FOR SUMMER 2007. TRAVEL HERE FOR DETAILS.

The park experienced severe flooding in November 2006. Travel here for more information.

Mount Rainier can receive 700 or more inches of snow each winter. When spring comes to the mountains it is a very busy time for Park Rangers. The previous fall usually brings the rainy season which causes damage to trails and camps by raging waters, high winds and falling trees. All this damage gets covered by 10-20 feet of snow, and there it sits until melt-out which often does not occur in earnest until late June or early July. The snow usually starts melting in high volumes, causing more damage to trails and camps. The Trail Crew may have to clear hundreds of trees from the trails each year. Replacing footlogs and bridges is also a major project. Footlogs are also prone to being washed out anytime there is a prolonged period of rain regardless of the season.

Wilderness Rangers and Trail Crew members are out and about early in the season trying to assess the damage. Given the vastness of the trail system and the volumes of snow, this is a large task. As we get reliable information on the status of a trail, a section of trail or a backcountry camp, that information will be posted here on the website.

trail signs

Trail signs like these will be a common sight around the park this summer (2007) because of flood damage.

TRAVEL HERE TO CHECK THE CURRENT STATUS OF TRAILS AND CAMPS (Word Doc 778 KB)

TRAVEL HERE FOR A MAP OF KNOWN TRAIL DAMAGE (Large PDF, 1600 KB)

TRAIL ADVISORY:Throughout the summer, park trail crews will be working to repair and rebuild sections of trail that were damaged by the November floods. This effort may take several years. Rangers have established temporary reroutes around damaged trail sections until the trail has been rebuilt or repaired to trail standards. The temporary reroutes are identified by following Yellow, 3 inch wide “Caution Caution” flagging. Reroutes identified are generally the easiest and shortest path around existing trail obstructions. However, these reroutes are often very rough, involve steep side hills, and may require extensive climbing over logs and river banks. Travel on reroutes is not trail hiking and is identical to crosscountry travel. These temporary routes are not for everyone. Please visit a Wilderness Information Center for specific trail information or assistance with planning your hike.

When hiking, be especially careful at river crossings. Many bridges are damaged or missing. Until all bridges can be repaired, hikers will face the additional challenge of unassisted river crossings. Some temporary reroutes will lead hikers to existing downed logs across rivers. These log crossings which are often used in crosscountry travel may be hazardous and are not to be confused with footlog trail bridges with a flattened tread and handrails. If no log or bridge crossing exists, hikers must decide for themselves if they are able to ford the river. Many people have underestimated the power of moving water. If you must make a crossing, go in the early morning when river levels are generally at their lowest. Look for a straight wide area with slow moving water below knee height and a smooth bottom. Scout downstream for strainer or waterfall hazards and potential exit points. Wear good foot-ware, expect slippery rocks, utilize a stout stick to maintain two points of contact at all times, and unbuckle your backpack waistbelt in order to quickly shed your pack should you fall in. Most importantly visit a Wilderness Information Center or park website for updated trail conditions so you know what to expect before you go hiking.

HikingDrews Flickr Photos Here is a sample, go take a look!

Mount Rainier National Park November 2006 Flooding Heavy rains caused flooding that damaged park roads and facilities.State Routes 410 & 123 and the Paul Peak/Mowich Lake areas are closed at the park boundaries by winter conditions but remain open to normal, non-motorized winter activities such as hiking, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing.Walk-in access is available [...]

Directions: From Portland, take I-5 north for about 70 miles. Take exit 68 from I-5 to Hwy 12. Drive about 59 miles from I-5 to Packwood. Drive about 13 more miles to the junction with Hwy 123. Turn left onto Hwy 123 and travel about 5 1/2 miles. Turn left onto Stevens Canyon Road and [...]

Overview The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. This is a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the thousands, and of canyons and granite cliffs. It’s also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range [...]

Flood Damage video