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Wonderland Trail permit

Wonderland Gear Checklist

What to carry on Wonderland, and why. 10 more are worth the pack space.

10Total Items
10To bring

What to bring on Wonderland

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list.

  • Bring

    Approved bear canister or the ability to hang from a bear pole

    all food, garbage and scented items

  • Bring

    Rain shell and warm layers; this is the Cascades and the weather turns without much warning

  • Bring

    Water treatment

    the rivers here run glacial and silty

  • Bring

    Boots you have already broken in over 27,000 feet of combined climbing and descending

  • Bring

    Printed permit, picked up in person, carried with you and shown to rangers on request

  • Bring

    Trekking poles for river fords and for the descents

  • Bring

    Microspikes if you go before late July, when snow lingers on the high traverses

  • Bring

    Five-gallon buckets or similar rigid plastic containers for food caches

    the park requires rodent-proof plastic, clearly labelled

  • Bring

    Gaiters for early-season snow and wet meadow trail

  • Bring

    A stove that runs on fuel you can cache; fuel cannot be mailed and has to be hand-delivered to Longmire

5 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Build a shared list

General backcountry gear

Kit we recommend for backcountry trips in general. This is not a checklist specific to Wonderland โ€” the Mount Rainier National Park rules for this permit are above.

๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Wonderland

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tips

  • โ€ขWeigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • โ€ขRent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • โ€ขTest all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • โ€ขCheck current regulations as some items may be required seasonally.

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