TIL a ranger said the best time to hike the Wonderland Trail is mid-September

I was at a talk at the REI in Seattle last week, and a park ranger from Mount Rainier said something that stuck with me. He mentioned that the crowds thin out a lot after Labor Day, but the weather is still decent. He specifically said, 'The bugs are gone, the blueberries are ripe, and you might get the trail to yourself for a whole day.' That got me thinking about shifting my usual summer trips. Has anyone here done the Wonderland Trail in the fall and can confirm it's worth it?

3 comments

3 Comments

casey_fox684d ago

Totally worth it, @riverwells. Just bring a warm hat.

kevin_schmidt9726d ago

Yeah the ranger is spot on. Did it last September and it was perfect, barely saw anyone after day two. Just pack some warmer layers for the nights.

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riverwells26d ago

How cold did it get at night for you, @kevin_schmidt97? I read a trip report from someone who went the same week and they said their water filter almost froze one morning, which is wild for September. Makes me want to pack my puffy jacket and a warm hat for sure.