Hiking Mount Rainier’s Wonderland Trail
The Siskiyou Land Trust’s opening slideshow of the 2019-2020 season will feature the incredible hiking trails of Mount Rainier in southern Washington state, one of the west coast’s great natural treasures.. The show will be presented by Renee Casterline, native resident of Siskiyou county, outdoor enthusiast and SLT’s Executive Director. Come join us on Thursday, November 14, at Mount Shasta Sisson Museum. Doors open at 6:30 pm (come early to claim a good seat), program begins at 7:00.
The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile circumnavigation of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. The trail rises and falls 22,000 feet over those 93 miles, crossing glacier-fed rivers and climbing to alpine lakes. Many hikers consider it a bucket-list thru-hike.
Renee Casterline, SLT’s executive director, shares the tale of hiking the Wonderland this August. Renee spent 9 days hiking the trail with Janet Zalewski and Vicki Houle of Mt. Shasta and Kris Ashton of Colorado. During the hike around the mountain they resupplied three times, with support provided by Linda Richter and Jan Ellis.
Those nine days were full of sunshine, wildflowers, big climbs, big downhills and unforgettable views. Along the way the group saw glaciers, marmots, bears, epic sunsets, big trees and alpine lakes. Come be inspired by photos and plenty of information to help you plan your own thru-hike, day-hike or camping trip to Mount Rainier National Park.
The Wonderland Trail is an epic journey around Rainier, which has 26 glaciers and stands at 14,411 feet, making it the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Those glaciers contribute to significant creeks and rivers that hikers on the Wonderland have to cross. Sometimes those crossing are on steel bridges, like the 200’ long Tahoma Creek suspension bridge, but more often they’re on logs laid over the water course. Crossings were just one of the elements of adventure on the Wonderland. Views of the mountain and glaciers, alpine lakes, stunning wildflowers, diverse wildlife and the company of fellow hikers all add to the wonder.
The Land Trust slideshow series will be held at the museum on the second Thursday monthly from November through April. The slideshow series is an important part of our community outreach and always a great opportunity to meet friends and learn more about our region and beyond. It is also a fundraising campaign that helps to further the work of SLT. A donation of $8-$15 is requested. All are welcome. Please share news about the event and bring a friend!
