Can we talk about the debate over trekking poles on the Wonderland Trail?

Jana Scott · 2026-09-29T14:55:05.499644+00:00

Last month I did a 5 day trip on the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier and half the people I met swore poles saved their knees while the other half said they just get in the way on the rocky sections. I used them on the climbs but stashed them on the downhills and honestly I'm still not sure which side I'm on. So what's the verdict here: are poles a must for a route with 22,000 feet of gain, or do they just add weight for no real payoff? Tell me what worked for you on a long loop.

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Can we talk about the debate over trekking poles on the Wonderland Trail? | Backpacking Routes - Chatter Central