Mount Wow - moderate pace, good terrain and snow travel skills

After the "character building" meetup this past weekend, I feel that I owe the group an outing with better views and less bushwhacking. Mt Wow will hopefully be fit the bill. It starts along the western end of Mt Rainier National Park along the Boundary trail. It ascends a steep ridge with class 2 to 3 sections towards the top. Expect some light bushwacking, but hopefully nothing like last week. The summit view includes Mt Rainier and the surrounding area.

Stats:
Distance: 10+ miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 4,500+ feet
Highest Point: 6,040 feet

Trip Reports
Mount Wow — Washington Trails Association
Winter Scramble - Mount Wow — The Mountaineers
Recent Video:
Our PNW Adventure of a Lifetime | Climbing Mount Wow
GPS (the approaches seem slightly different, so I would download both for comparison):
[Ascent of Mount Wow on 2026-04-18 - Peakbagger.com](https://www.peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=3170640)
[Ascent of Mount Wow on 2025-06-05 - Peakbagger.com](https://www.peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=2861582)

Expect hiking on possible steep, slippery, exposed, and varied terrain in a variety of snow conditions and a mix of exposed rock, vegetation, and possible snow and ice. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS TYPE OF TERRAIN. Good situational awareness, snow travel skills, and teamwork are essential to have a fun and safe outing while avoiding hazards. The group pace should be moderate (around 2 miles per hour average). IF YOU RSVP, YOU WILL INITIALLY BE WAITLISTED. PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, WHEN PROMPTED. I WILL ADD PEOPLE WHO ARE WITH APPROPRIATE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND GEAR.

The Plan (subject to change):
6:00 AM Meet at the Park and Ride and arrange carpools. Let's plan to depart by 6:15.

8 AM meet at the trailhead. Have your bags packed so we can minimize time preparing.

1-3 PM Depending on the group pace we should arrive at the summit. Plan to spend about a half hour to enjoy the view, eat food, and relax at the summit. If we're running behind schedule, we'll spend less time at the summit though.

We should arrive back at the trailhead by 5 or 6 PM but expect that we could be out later than that.

It is about a 1.5 to 2 hour trip between the trailhead and park and ride. We can also stop for food on the way back if people want to. Each carpool should coordinate that beforehand.

What to bring:

Pack, warm clothing layers (expect rain, snow, and wind), hiking or mountaineering boots, microspikes, helmet, hiking poles, ice ax, navigation: map, compass, and GPS if you have it, emergency bivy, food and water for the day (2-3 liters minimum), sun protection, headlamp, Sit pad, 10 essentials not already mentioned. Drivers should have directions and NW forest pass or equivalent. Snowshoes and crampons are optional, but based on recent trip reports, they could be helpful. I will likely bring a shovel and handline rope for team gear.
Everyone bring good cheer!

Trailhead location (from Google Maps)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/feaQFA7T2hpWF6T46