The Wonderland Trail with Sassafras: Permits, Campsites, and Gear (BPR #320)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are chatting all things Wonderland Trail. The Trek's very own Jess Stone is fresh off her thru-hike of this near-100 mile lap around Mt. Rainier in Washington, and gives us a detailed breakdown of her journey and the trail at large. We cover the ideal number of days to do this hike, the standout campsites, wildlife, the permitting process, and the best games to play on trail with your hiking buddies to pass the time such as eating rocks.

We wrap the show with a couple of new opportunities to get involved with The Trek, why Nova Scotia has banned all hiking for the foreseeable future, ranking a series of different hiking conditions (or- why postholing is the worst), the triple crown of gear deal breakers, we get even more input on the very controversial decision to use dry ice for resupplies, and a listener reminds us that not all owl encounters are all that interesting.

Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKFALL15" at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.

Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com.

Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

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Panel with Jess Stone

• Jess's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:04:50 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek or be a social media intern, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:11:23 - Introducing Jess

00:13:45 - Where is the Wonderland Trail?

00:14:15 - What is the permit system like?

00:18:10 - What is the distance and are there alternates?

00:22:20 - Did you bring a bear canister?

00:23:20 - Where did you start and what direction did you go?

00:25:35 - How did this trail compare to some of your past thru-hikes?

00:29:10 - Tell us about the wildlife

00:34:45 - How do the resupplies work?

00:36:45 - Tell us about making your own food

00:40:04 - What were the best campsites?

00:43:00 - Tell us about your hike chronologically

00:47:27 - What was your hiking group?

00:51:50 - Day 3 of the hike

00:59:00 - Did you encounter rangers?

01:02:30 - Eagles Roost to Golden Lakes

01:05:50 - Golden Lakes and afterward

01:09:50 - High Low Buffalo

01:12:15 - What gear stood out to you?

01:17:50 - What footwear did you use?

01:20:40 - How was the weather and water situation?

01:23:22 - How did you get to the trail?

01:26:10 - How was the experience overall?

01:27:12 - Wonderland Trail or the best 93 miles of the Long Trail?

01:29:00 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: Nova Scotia Bans All Hiking Due to Wildfire Risk by Chickpea

QOTD: How many miles would each of the following have to be for them all to feel equal?

Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of gear deal breakers

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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