Beautiful Bucketlist Wonderland Circuit with Spray Park Route

**NOW FULL**

Just an important note, I have six spots on this permit and only one spot left. Please call me soon.

Lodging

All participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and lodging.
For all of us who don't live in Washington, finding a place before and after will be essential for travel enjoyment. It would be good to book ASAP to secure a place. Here are some options,

1. National Park Inn and Paradise Inn. The National Park Inn is close to the trail and will be the most convenient place to get to. Check it out here.
2. Airbnb. I have reserved an Airbnb a 1/2 mile from Longmire for 8/11/23. If you are comfortable, you can share it with me. It has two beds, a love seat, and one bunk bed set. Check it out here. If you would like your own Airbnb, there are several options.
3. Other motels, lodges and Bnbs. Here is a Google List.

Itinerary With Approximate Mileage

8/11/23- Travel/spend the night/pick up wilderness permit at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center by 4pm or at 9am the next day.

Day 1- Depart from Longmire to start our clockwise journey to our first campsite, Devil's Dream (5.8 miles).

Day 2-Leave camp early for a long day of hiking to North Puyallup campsite (13.7 mi).

Day 3-Leisurely departure for Golden Lakes campsite (4.8 mi).

Day 4-Moderate day of hiking to Mowich Lake campground and our first food cache pick up (10.3 mi).

Day 5-Divert from the main trail to take the Spray Park Trail, camping at Cataract Valley (6.7 mi).

Day 6- Returning to the main trail, we will camp at Mystic Lake (6.4 mi).

Day 7- Heavy day of hiking to White River Campground and second food cache pick-up (12.9 mi).

Day 8- We make our way to one of the crème de la crème of the trail, Summerland (5.5 mi).

Day 9- We have a leisurely departure to the next beautiful spot, Indian Bar (4.5 mi).

Day 10- We take our time and head to Nickel Creek campsite (6.8 mi).

Day 11- We have a moderate day of hiking to Paradise River campsite (9.9 mi).

Day 12- We exit the trail at Longmire for a short day (3.5 mi).

8/23/23- We proceed with our post hike travel plans. I will be staying at the National Park Inn.

Check out this interactive trail map HERE

Food and Fuel Caching

You cannot store fuel with food! It will have to be hand-delivered to the food caching site at the designated holding area.

Food can be mailed (Must be mailed at least 2 weeks in advance), or hand delivered to Mowich Lake and White River Campground.
Here is information pulled from the NPS.GOV website For Mailing Food Cashes.

On Trail Food Storage

Bear canisters are not required at Rainier National Park. However, it is still important to keep food from animals which is why the park provides food hooks at designated campsites.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND:

1. PARTICIPATION IN THIS MEETUP AFFIRMS THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO THE FULL LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY on Meetup’s Backpackers of the American West's website (see: Backpackers of the American West Rules and Regulations)
2. The Event Organizer reserves the sole and unilateral right to modify or cancel the event at any time.
3. This trip is not for beginners. Experienced backpackers only. Please Contact me before signing up 916-476-0173.

Photo taken by NPS Photo/Jasmine Horn