Day Hike - Burroughs Mountain

Issaquah Transit Center at 6:30am.  If there are participants coming from the South additional arrangements may be made to rendezvous in Enumclaw.

Update: recent trip reports on www.wta.org and the Rainier NP website and recent first hand observations by the trip leader indicate that there may still be some sections of the trail, therefore poles and traction devices are now required for this trip.

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This trip is all about the incredible close-up views of Mt. Rainier from the summit of Third Burroughs, the highest hikeable point in Rainier NP and one of the closest vantage points to the large glaciers on its north face, especially the Winthrop Glacier and Inter Glacier.   Weather permitting we will luxuriate on the summit for an hour to allow time for a leisurely lunch while enjoying the views and taking pictures.  Though we will pass by many other beautiful sights along the way we will resist the urge to stop and admire them, and instead hike straight through (with the usual breaks) in order to maximize the amount of time we have on the summit -- the other wonders of Sunrise are saved for another day.

The route to Third Burroughs (7828 ft) also passes over the summits of First Burroughs (7160 ft), Second Burroughs (7402 ft).  These are three of the 100 highest peaks in Rainier NP and are three of only fifteen non-technical peaks on the list that can be summited as day hikes. These peaks count for both the 15 Hiking Peaks in Mount Rainier NP and 100 Peaks in Mount Rainier NP badges.  

The pace will be moderate, with the tentative goal of reaching the summit of Third Burroughs in approximately 2.5 hours.  If trail conditions permit, we will do the trip as a circle route, ascending via Summerland camp and the Wonderland Trail, and returning via the usual Sourdough Ridge.   

The Sunrise area of Rainier is very popular.  Though we will be surrounded by a beautiful wilderness, on summer weekends this area does not provide solitude.  We will get an early start in order to have left the trailhead before the crowds arrive, but we will see many others along the trail.

Because most of the trip is on high ridges, a forecast of lightning will cancel.