The Worst Vacation Ever!!

Well, we are back from our attempt at hiking the Wonderland trail. It was not good :(

That part of our country has experienced a bad winter (lots of snow) and the trail was at least half covered in snow. Where we should have been hiking in flower filled meadows, we encountered 5-10' of snow:eek:. I heard them say that they had not seen that much snow in 20+ years.

Well, we made a valiant effort and I even did some serious snowfield traverses (and i am afraid of heights) I was terrified for my life at some points of slipping off into nowhere--it was that steep!!! I even fell at one point and scraped every layer of skin off my arm near my elbow.

The views and scenery were breathtaking and absolutely stunning though--- (Mt. Rainier)

Anyway, we ended up losing the trail, getting lost and had to make the decision to turn back. It was a good plan but, bummed us out big time. I know we did the right thing but, it just made the rest of the trip a bummer because we weren't doing what we really wanted to:(

We were kind of upset with the NPS for not marking the trail or informing us of the conditions, and basically telling us "hopefully you will see other footprints to follow" SERIOUSLY!!! ...um O.K. thanks but no thanks. We will trust our compass. We weren't too lost, just on the wrong ridge with a big valley in the way and a lot of snow to deal with. I just was not having fun anymore.

Anyway, we saw Mt. St. Helens (or what is left of it), Olympic National Park--rainforests, went on a whale watch tour and saw Orcas in The San Juan Islands (way cool) and checked out Seattle.

I would post photos but, my camera card became corrupt and i may have lost all pictures--Ugh:eek:

I am referring to this trip as "The Bad Ju-Ju trip of 2011" It seemed like everything was just off--We wish we would have just loaded up the dogs in the RV and took off to anywhere for 2 weeks.

I did love all the cycling lanes and cyclists in that part of the country---i was actually jealous of the great cycling community in Washington State.

((((Trek-chick)))). I feel so bad for you. Having had some vacations not go as planned myself, I understand your disappointment. I'm at least glad that you didn't get seriously injured or stranded or lost. There's always the next vacation.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

((((Trek-chick)))). I feel so bad for you. Having had some vacations not go as planned myself, I understand your disappointment. I'm at least glad that you didn't get seriously injured or stranded or lost. There's always the next vacation.

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Thanks, it can only be better next time. We have just never failed to complete a hike-ever, and being with DH--I knew I would have to be the one to suggest turning back. I held off as long as I could too.

...on the bright side it was better than being at work;)

My worst day on a hike or bike outing is always better than my best day at work. ;) At least you got to enjoy some beautiful scenery!

If you haven't already reformatted your camera card, try putting it in a different camera or card-reader first. I got that warning on mine a little while ago, decided not to do anything, took it out and put it in my other camera, and it was fine (and the photos were still there) - *fingers crossed*

I am sorry you chose to visit our mountains this year. There were lots of nicer places to hike, I really am sorry. When I started reading this, I thought, Uh-oh vacationing in the Pac NW...

Aw man- that really bites! I was wondering how your trip was and I'm so disappointed that it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to. :(

Glad you got to at least see that part of the country- I know it just wasn't in the way you'd hoped for.

it wasn't the way we hoped for either!! (brrrr)

A lot of peoples regular trips have been thwarted from snow or road closures. Many of our regular MTB trails opened about a month late. The people I know that have been going hiking are prepared for snow travel, with crampons at a minimum.

The good news is that it's been a GREAT boating season....

As soon as I read your second sentence, I guessed you were talking about the PNW!

We just got back from a hiking trip down in the 3 Sisters wilderness in Oregon and had similar difficulties. Still so much snow! We found a few alternative routes, but those without crampons or ice axes stayed in camp on day two. It was just too dangerous without them. You really do have to think (and prepare) differently. We are heading up to Washington next weekend and I"m sure we'll still run into similar problems even as we approach the end of August!

The snow has affected bike races, triathlons, and plenty of hiking trips. Mother nature does her own thing and all we can do is adapt. :)

At least it makes for some spectacular photos, right?

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Originally Posted by Trek-chick

We were kind of upset with the NPS for not marking the trail or informing us of the conditions, and basically telling us "hopefully you will see other footprints to follow" SERIOUSLY!!! ...um O.K. thanks but no thanks.

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NPS has it right on the website: Don't expect a melt out before mid august, and be prepared for dangerous conditions...
Wonderland Trail Conditions NPS

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Backcountry Trails and Camp Reports

August 17, 2011: Mt. Rainier received a heavy amount of spring snow this year creating hazardous conditions in the backcountry. Subsequently we expect a very late melt-out this summer. Issues to consider are route-finding, creek and river crossings and trail damage. Good navigation skills are needed in these conditions. It is easy to get disoriented and/or lost. There are also steep, icy slopes in numerous locations around the park. Always check with Park Rangers for trail conditions before heading out into the backcountry.

General Conditions Update: The current snowline is between 5,000 and 5,500 feet. The park experienced a very heavy snowfall this past winter (2010-2011) and melt-out is not expected until sometime in late August.

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It actually sounds like parts of it were great and that the "not finishing" disappointment colored the great parts too. That's too bad.

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Originally Posted by Irulan

NPS has it right on the website: Don't expect a melt out before mid august, and be prepared for dangerous conditions...
Wonderland Trail Conditions NPS

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We saw this after we got back... I didn't check every day but when we checked in with the rangers on Aug 1st NONE of this was mentioned to us. We could have purchased equipment if needed. I also called 5 times to the NPS before we left and They never mentioned anything to me then either.

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Originally Posted by Trek-chick

We saw this after we got back... I didn't check every day but when we checked in with the rangers on Aug 1st NONE of this was mentioned to us. We could have purchased equipment if needed. I also called 5 times to the NPS before we left and They never mentioned anything to me then either.

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So sorry this happened. And I don't blame you for being distressed that NPS didn't tell you about conditions when you called them.

I would always trust a phone conversation to provide better information than what's posted on a web site.

I would be tempted to write a letter about this, if you have documentation about when you called and who you talked to. I've heard NPS employees complain about clueless tourists very often. Perhaps they need to be reminded to do their part in providing accurate information.

a friend of mine has a daughter who was ready to go to girlscout camp. They got up there and it was all snow. So much for that!!

I guess we just picked a bad year to do that hike. I AM glad I got to see the PNW though. I have always wanted to see that area of our country and finally got to go. I is more beautiful than I expected too!

I do have to say we had awesome weather in the sense of it being cool mornings and only 65-75* depending on where we were at.... that was awesome. I was sooooo prepared for the rains too. Even bought an Eddie Bauer First Ascent rain jacket for this trip--- I heard the call Mt Rainier-- Mount Rainy-er LOL But, we did not have one single period of rain to contend with.:)

Anyway, I wish Michigan was as cycling friendly as I saw Washington to be. I saw sooooo many cyclists on the park road in Rainier and basically everywhere else too. Seattle would be kind of scary for a flat-lander like me though. You have some steep hills in that city:eek:

I was so wishing I had brought a bicycle--now that would have been an awesome trip:D

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Originally Posted by PamNY

So sorry this happened. And I don't blame you for being distressed that NPS didn't tell you about conditions when you called them.

I would always trust a phone conversation to provide better information than what's posted on a web site.

I would be tempted to write a letter about this, if you have documentation about when you called and who you talked to. I've heard NPS employees complain about clueless tourists very often. Perhaps they need to be reminded to do their part in providing accurate information.

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Oh yes, we are writing letters to the NPS for sure.

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Originally Posted by PamNY

So sorry this happened. And I don't blame you for being distressed that NPS didn't tell you about conditions when you called them.

I would always trust a phone conversation to provide better information than what's posted on a web site.

I would be tempted to write a letter about this, if you have documentation about when you called and who you talked to. I've heard NPS employees complain about clueless tourists very often. Perhaps they need to be reminded to do their part in providing accurate information.

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Yes, that's rather surprising,