The Wonderland Trail between Fryingpan Creek and Panhandle Gap climbs through one of Mount Rainier’s most dramatic alpine sections. Beginning in cool forest along the creek, the trail climbs steadily into open alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and marmots. Above treeline, the landscape turns rugged and windswept, with sweeping views of Rainier’s eastern face and distant peaks. Near Panhandle Gap—the highest point on the Wonderland Trail—the scenery becomes stark and otherworldly, a mix of snowfields, rock, and endless sky. It’s a rugged, breathtaking stretch where the subalpine meadows give way to the raw heart of Rainier’s high country.
This was sort of a memorial hike for Cheryl as a friend of hers had recently passed away. We previously day-hiked this all the way thru to Box Canyon (which was quite the death march) so I won't go into it too much here but if you are interested, that hike can be read about here.
