June 24th & 25th, July 8th & 9th, July 22nd & 23rd
At 14,410’ Mt. Rainier rises up from lowland valleys in an immense display of rock, ice, and majestic beauty. Circumnavigating the mountain’s glaciated flanks lies the Wonderland Trail. This 93 mile loop gains and descends 21,810’ as it weaves through ancient forests, flows through flower filled meadows, and climbs the many steep ridges cut by the mountain’s glaciers and rivers. To travel this trail is to experience the ecosystems, beauty, and savagery of the mountain.
Series Details
The series option of the Wonderland allows runners to complete the full 93 mile trail over a sequence of Saturdays in June and July,
Saturday June 25th
Longmire–Mowich Lake: 34M +9,755’ / -7,600’
Saturday, July 9th
Mowich Lake–White River: 28M +5,871’ / 5,900’
Saturday, July 23rd
White River–Longmire: 31M +6,184 / -7,610’
Itinerary
An early start is essential for each leg of the series and consequently each weekend of running includes a Friday night camping component.
Friday’s
7pm. Pick up runners at Seattle REI, or other pre-arranged locations along I-5. Travel time to Mt. Rainier will depend on traffic and which trail head we are accessing.
9-10pm. Arrive Mt. Rainier National Park. Set up Camp. Aspire will serve a hot evening meal, followed by a discussion of the next days course.
Saturday’s
7am. Wake up. Enjoy a hot pre-run breakfast. Prep and pack for the day’s run.
8am. Run. The Wonderland Series is comprised of 3 remote and challenging sections of trail that vary in length and difficulty. Estimating travel time for these courses is difficult given the variables in weather, terrain, and the fitness of each runner. The following are approximations for each leg. Runners absolutely may finish these courses faster; runners who require additional time should consult our “Supported Runner Policy”
- Longmire to Mowich Lake: 34M +9,755’ / -7,600’ Travel time: 8-12 hours
- Mowich Lake to White River: 28M +5,871’ / 5,900’ Travel time 5-8 hours
- White River to Longmire: 31M +6,184 / -7,610’ Travel Time 6-10 hours.
6pm. As runners complete each course and arrive into “camp” the Aspire kitchen is fully stocked with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, beer and recovery drinks. Under the Aspire tent runners will find their race bag waiting, propane heaters, and great camaraderie. Once the group has assembled Aspire serves up a delicious feast of seasonally dishes locally sourced and carefully prepared to satiate the gnawing post run hunger.
8pm. Once everyone is fed, full, and functional. Aspire will load up the gear and take the wheel to get folks back to their vehicles and homes. Arrival back to Seattle generally falls between 10pm and midnight.
Gear
It is said that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Proper equipment and clothing are essential for a safe and comfortable experience in the mountains. Attention and adherence to the following guidelines is essential.
Running Gear
A personal running pack/vest, hydration system, water filtration, and personal snacks. Aspire has a selection of bars, gels, electrolytes etc. available for runners, but we also encourage folks to bring foods that they are accustomed to, especially for long runs.
Camping gear
A tent, sleeping bag, and pad. Camp clothing should accommodate a spectrum of mountain weather. If your traveling from out of town or don’t want to worry about overnight gear, this equipment can be provided and is available for rent with registration.
Cost
Early Bird Registration (ends January 30th) Whole Series: $800
Regular Registration (end April 30th) Whole Series: $900
Late Registration (closes June 20th) $999
Individual Legs, if spots available after June 1st : $350
Register