[Sculpin]

My group barely made it across Winthrop Creek on the Wonderland Trail on Thursday, July 26. With the high temperatures, the water came up and displaced the boulders holding up the crossing log. The log was down in the water at one end, and while there was no water coming over the top, the top was wet. The handrail is gone. A little more water and you are not getting across that creek, it was roaring like the Carbon River. I crawled it, which worked out fine. A couple of hikers told us that there was no means to cross the White River on the Northern Loop. That means that if the log becomes impassible across Winthrop Creek, there will be no Wonderland circuit until the NPS does some repairs. If anyone has a more recent update that would help.

[philfort]

Uh-oh... is this one of those crossings? https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/hiker-dies-after-falling-into-river-while-hiking-near-mount-rainier/801270798

[AlpineRose]

Crossing rivers is a critical backcountry skill. Until the bridges are rebuilt, WT and NL hikers will need to learn it. As well as develop decision making skills on deciding whether or not to turn back, if a safe crossing cannot be found.

[Bluebird]

We crossed the White River ford last Tuesday. It was incredibly difficult for me at 9:45am and I am strong. Water came up to the crotch of my pants, most of it was mid thigh depth. I'm 5'5" tall. I called Rainier to discuss trail conditions afterwards (we had been camping in some cross-country zones near Windy Gap and had bear-ventures to report) and mentioned the difficulty of this crossing. The ranger simply kept repeating that they warn everyone about how dangerous it is, etc. The ranger stated that they would have the trail crew there to replace the footlog as soon as possible, but it sounded lower priority than the Wonderland crossings.

[Sculpin]

[silence]

That is so sad. A couple of years ago we actually turned back at the South Mowich when the log bridge across it went out unexpectedly (and unbeknownst to the rangers) in summer (after they had installed it for the season) ... but some WLers went ahead and forded the rushing water, mostly because they did not want to give up on their trip. You can't blame them, but I guess we all know that the park makes it clear that the risk is our choice. We were just doing an in and out for a few days so it was no big deal for us. Fortunately, everyone made it across safely before they were able to reinstall the bridge.

[Sculpin]

[Kim Brown]

[kiliki]

^^^ Ditto. I don't agree that "heavy restrictions" create an expectation that everything will be predictable and you will be able to do exactly what you were permitted for. It's nature. There are a ton of things that can happen. What is the park supposed to do, let it always be a free for all because sometimes there might be an obstacle that hinders a plan?

[Randito]

[AlpineRose]

I agree a permit holder might have a "reasonable expectation" that the WT can be completed safely. But the WT is still the backcountry, and MRNP is not Disneyland. If one's reasonable expectation does not match what is staring one right in the face, such as a river crossing too dangerous to navigate, it's time to alter that expectation and make a new plan. Yes, that might mean getting behind your itinerary if you decide to wait until the early morning to see if the water level lowers enough to cross safely. Or it might mean backtracking and camping at unofficial sites on your way out. It's bears repeating, crossing rivers is a valuable (life saving) skill all backcountry travelers should learn. That skill set includes both crossing techniques and decision making - deciding whether or not a river can be crossed safely with the techniques you've learned. You can't leave your brain or your common sense at home just because you have a permit, there are restrictions, and you're worried about what the rangers might say. imo, river crossings are the wilderness hazard most routinely underappreciated.

[Brushbuffalo]

[Kim Brown]

You may get a ticket, but I doubt they'd make you leave in the middle of the night I also doubt they'd be patrolling the middle of the night! I've seen people escorted out of the Enchantments in the day time, and read a WTA report where a couple got a ticket plus escorted after they were busted at camp in the early morning. But yeah, safety first; doesn't mean you won't get a ticket.

[kiliki]

Sounds like there is an easy work around for this crossing-- the park put this out: The log footbridge that spans the White River (adjacent to the White River Campground) and is part of the Wonderland Trail is partially submerged with water flowing over the log. Attempting to cross can be extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to cross footbridges with water running over them. To bypass the bridge, the easy alternate route is to walk the campground road to the Sunrise Road, and cross the road bridge over the White River. Just past the road bridge is a minor trailhead where visitors can get back on the Wonderland Trail. Recent hot weather has created hazardous conditions along many streams and rivers within the park. If you are in the backcountry and are confronted with a potential stream crossing without a bridge, consider this advice on crossing streams safely (or whether to cross at all): https://go.usa.gov/xUvw7 Further information on trail conditions is found at https://go.usa.gov/xUvwA ~cr

[silence]

Not the same White River crossing.