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Rainier: Wonderland Trail (Sunrise to Mystic Lake & back)

September 23, 2018 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 40s-50, COLD without sun

Comments:
It was much nicer in the AM, with the clouds slowly rolling out and exposing nice sunlight at the White River Campground. CA slept in slightly longer, and I took that time to take a short hike out to the Wonderland Trail and the river crossing, which affords an amazing view of Rainier. That got me excited to "adventure", as did another good night's sleep. It seems like maybe the major wedding fatigue has subsided.

Once awake, we slowly moseyed through our coffee and toast breakfast while deciding what to do. Besides the Wonderland Trail, there are many other trails in the NE quadrant that make loops possible. One such loop leaving from Sunrise visitor center looked really cool, but it was nearly 30 miles! I was extremely skeptical (and lacking confidence in my abilities) but CA was gung ho about it. So we prepared and drove up to the visitor center.

Once there, we were shocked at how cold it was. Despite the heat, it was maybe 40 degrees! Yeesh! That was discouraging. We entered the visitor center and found a 3D map that showed some enormous climbs and descents we'd encounter, including two that were close to Hardesty caliber (3k'). That scared us even more. And by the time we'd finally gotten ready to go, it was past 11AM -- NOT good for a possible 30-miler with extreme vertical.

We shoved off from the visitor center, located at about 6000', into a light uphill on a wide trail that climbed to a ridge about 300' above the center. As such, it was inviting to tons of casual hikers. Knowing what was ahead of me, I was barely shuffling and quickly set into a hike, while CA and her enthusiasm pulled away. I REALLY dragged ass early on, as we climbed up and along the open ridge, away from the visitor center.

The lollipop stick for this loop was about 2.3 miles long. Once we got to the trail junction, we stopped to shed a layer. We'd been wearing a long sleeve, jacket, pants AND brought a puffy along! Ditching the pants, we made the decision to stick on the Wonderland Trail and head east, at least toward Mystic Lake (about 9 miles out) before making a decision.

My decision was already made: I felt like ASS, almost feverish. But it was a beautiful run along this open, tundra-like terrain, and I tried hard to overcome that and enjoy it. CA chilled her pace and we rolled together up one more saddle, "Skyscraper Pass", with great views of Rainier as the clouds stayed at bay, before starting a long descent into the woods.

LONG descent! It was essentially a two-thirds Hardesty: 3.5 miles and 2+k' descent! The first half was buttery smooth, but at some point, the trailcutters (as they sometimes do) said "Fuck it", and began to dump the trail steeper and with less switches, and over some rugged, rooty terrain, too.

A couple miles in we got above a roaring river, at which we rolled a full mile along side before finishing the descent. The lava type at Rainier is both old and bouldery -- most riverbeds are comprised of light gray rock ranging from "baby skulls" (6" or less diameter) to large boulders in the 2-3" range. A massive flood in 2006 cut these drainages super-wide, making both the terrain and views quite striking. River crossings were logs over the river, with branched nailed together for railings.

We crossed the river, then began another (but lighter) grind, uphill, toward Mystic Lake.

By then, even though my quads felt cooked, I actually began to feel pretty decent. Ankles were OK, and I felt like -- despite the shuffle -- that I was using my hips pretty well. However, then CA began to not feel so great: less energy, as well as some knee soreness.

We pressed on to Mystic Lake, through some outstanding horizontal-canyon single track that was super-runnable, along another creek drainage, before climbing up to the alpine Mystic Lake.

By then we were on the same page: averaging maybe 13-minute miles, we had neither the energy or time for a 30 mile day. Instead, we enjoyed a "picnic" (sandwich snack) at the lake, before turning back.

The return was pretty unremarkable. I felt solid, but once we hit the uphill, CA's knees were even more sore, so the going was a little slow.

But once we got back above tree line, a solid hour of hiking, we both got a spike of energy, and we had a pretty decent run up toward the ridgeline and down to Sunrise. However, as has been the case all summer, at the end of the run, a good 4+ hours into it, I was so goddamn stiff I could barely run normally. Most of it was in the ankles, but it was the knees and hips, too. I'm convinced a big part of this is the orthopedic and even neurological effect of the adrenal fatigue -- the body just saying, "Fuck you". It's tough to fight through, and extra painful.

Nevertheless, I made it. We both did. Solid run, but not easy. While the effort wasn't super-tough, it was SLOW: like 5+ hours for 18 miles, which included nearly 5k' of vertical.

But we had a great time. It was a COLD day, especially when the clouds rolled in, but a terrific introduction to one of the greatest trails I've ever been on. We're stoked to do some more.

Rest of the day:
* tried to get refreshments at the "snack shop", but it was literally the last day open for the season and the offerings were sparse and shitty. They were selling Rainier Beer for $5.95...PER CAN!
* drove back down to the campground, and CA insisted that we shower! We hooked up our heated shower, but still had to disrobe and spray off in the trailhead parking lot in like 40-degree conditions! We were shivering after that, but it was worth it, I guess!
* Nice dinner around the fire, with beers, and a terrific moonlight view of Rainier. These are the best times!