This section of the Wonderland Trail is focused on moving a few miles sideways and a couple of thousand feet vertically, mostly lacking distinctive views. I did it as an out-and-back day hike (the distance shown here is roundtrip) in response to a September snowfall that had closed the road up to Sunrise while leaving the White River trailhead accessible. Climbing through the snowy forest was lovely. I saw fresh bird and paw prints everywhere, including some that were definitely cat. It was neat having the usually bustling Sunrise parking lot entirely to myself.

Early in the season this trail can be used to access Sunrise area hikes such as Fremont Lookout or Dege Peak from Sunrise during the date window after they've melted out but before the road up to Sunrise opens for the year.

Beware a spot 2 miles above White River where the trail crosses a narrow slide area and then the base of a waterfall along the stream that drains Frozen Lake. This is no big deal in good conditions, but unsafe to cross when flow is high or if the waterfall is covered by a spring snow bridge.