One Best Hike: Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail

Douglas Lorain's family moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1969, and he has been obsessively hitting the trails of his home region ever since. Over the years he calculates that he has logged well over 30,000 trail miles in this corner of the continent, and despite a history that includes being bitten by a rattlesnake, shot at by a hunter, charged by a grizzly bear, and donating countless gallons of blood to "invertebrate vampires," he happily sees no end in sight. Lorain is a photographer and recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award. His books cover only the best trips from the thousands of hikes and backpacking trips he has taken throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. His photographs have been featured in numerous magazines, calendars, and books. He is described by the Seattle Times as the "next great Northwest trail guide author."

"This is an excellent book for a novice hiker who's interested in hiking the Wonderland trail. It's also an excellent book for a more experienced hiker planning to spend time on the Wonderland Trail. Loraine gives exact, detailed advice on what to pack, when to go, what to expect, how to get in shape and so on." &#8212Seattle Backpacker Magazine, October 2012

• ACKNOWLEDGMENTSLIST OF MAPSINTRODUCTIONMount Rainier and the Wonderland TrailMount Rainier's Human HistoryNatural HistoryA Word about MileagesAccidentsBlisters, Aches and Pains, and InjuriesBears, Bugs, and Other CrittersOther Safety IssuesPLANNING AND PREPARATIONSection Hikes or All at OnceWhen to GoWhere to StartHow Long to TakeWhat to BringHow to Get to Mount RainierAccommodationsCar ShuttlesFood DropsGetting in Shape and Pacing YourselfPermitsLeave No Trace Principles and Backcountry EtiquetteOther Items Worth ConsideringTRAIL DESCRIPTIONSection 1: Longmire to Mowich LakeSection 2: Mowich Lake to Carbon River Camp Junction via the Wonderland TrailSection 3: Mowich Lake to Carbon River Camp Junction via the Spray Park TrailSection 4: Carbon River Camp Junction to Sunrise via the Wonderland TrailSection 5: Carbon River Camp Junction to Berkeley Park and Sunrise via the Norther Loop trailSection 6: Sunrise to Fryingpan Creek/Summerland TrailheadSection 7: Fryingpan Creek/Summerland Trailhead to Box Canyon via the Wonderland TrailSection 8: Fryingpan Creek/Summerland Trailhead to Cowlitz Divide and Box Canyon via the Eastside TrailSection 9: Box Canyon to LongmireAPPENDIX A: Recommended ReadingAPPENDIX B: Selected Area Restaurants Motels, Outdoor Stores, and Other BusinessesAPPENDIX C: Park Service Website and Telephone NumbersINDEXABOUT THE AUTHOR