It’s 0530 and I’m tired of “sleeping “ in the front passenger seat of my car. It’s time to get up and start the Wonderland Trail. I get up, get dressed and double check my backpack. “I’m good to go”!

With my cold soaking breakfast in hand I get to my first river crossing. Yesterday I scouted out this bridge, and it looked bad. This morning, not so bad. What is the worst thing that could happen……..

I’m over and the trail begins. This trail is like “WOW”!!!!! Flat, wide, flat, beautiful, flat, and huge/old trees. Did I mention FLAT? Then it went up hill and the fun begins.

Up, up, up to Panhandle Gap. You start getting views of Mt. Rainier. I take pics. I remind myself that Mt. Rainier and I will be friends for the next 7 days. I take more pics. I’ll take a lot of pictures on this trip.

Up hill, down hill, move out of the way of the runner, more up hill, another runner and still more up hill. At Panhandle Gap I talk to a day hiker about a scramble to a great view spot. More up hill! One of the runners that passed me this morning is sitting at the top. He talks about getting up early, driving to the Mt. and running to the top to watch the sunrise. “It’s nice to be young”! I take in the view, take some pics and get on my way.

I need to find a spot for lunch. Some down hill, more up hill and I find a spot with a view.

Day one is 18 miles and 2,000 of elevation gain. I made good time. I get to my camp site, put on my camp shoes, set up my tent and get ready for dinner.