Stage 5 of the Wonderland Trail covers 12.8 km from Mowich Lake to Carbon River, with 464 m of ascent and 984 m of descent. The highest point is 1,584 m. Allow about 5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Forest camp at 984 m (3,227 ft) near the Carbon River crossings, about 0.3 km off the line by the Spray Park trail junction, with 4 individual sites and 1 group site; toilet. Open in October 2026, but the trail east of the suspension bridge is closed by fire.
Former car campground at 732 m (2,400 ft) in old-growth forest, now a backcountry camp 0.5 km off the main line, with 12 individual sites, 1 group site and bear boxes. The Carbon River Road to it is closed to cars, and since 2025 the Fairfax Bridge closure cuts off all public access from outside the park.
Camp at 1,394 m (4,575 ft) on the Spray Park alternate, 2.6 km above Carbon River Camp, with 6 individual sites and 1 group site; toilet.
Camp at 1,505 m (4,936 ft) on the Spray Park alternate route, 3 km from Mowich Lake, with 7 individual sites and no group site. Only for hikers who take the higher Spray Park route instead of Ipsut Pass.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in guides but could not be checked on an official page. On the Wonderland Trail you may camp only at the designated camp written on your wilderness permit for that night. Book the permit on Recreation.gov (Early Access Lottery in February, general sale from April 25) or try for a walk-up permit the day before.
Emergency: call 911. Little signal: carry a PLB. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.