
Field trip: Mt. Rainier -- A Place of Joy, Reverence, & Humility
Field Trip Mt Rainer - Berkeley Park
We will hike Sourdough Ridge from Sunrise and drop down into Berkeley Park, looking for wildflowers, butterflies, subalpine trees, mammals, and birds. We will also look at the geology and the geological history along the way. This will take most of the day. Expect to spend a full day on this trip between driving and the time hiking.
- Wed, Jul 23, 2025
- Seattle Naturalists Committee
- Naturalist
- Adults
- Easy, Easy/Moderate, Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 5.6 mi
- Elevation Gain: 800 ft
- 8 (8 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
We will look at wildflowers and geology on this trip. There is always the possibility for birds, mammals, and butterflies. We might hike along sourdough ridge moderately fast without a lot of stopping for flowers so we can get into Berkely Park for a while. We will check on these on the way back. We might drop down to Shadow Lake on the way back for some variety.
Bring appropriate apps or field guides.
Bring water, lunch, rain gear, and the ten essentials.
You need to purchase a "Timed-Entry" permit from Mt. Rainier National Park to get through the gate. The permits will go on sale on 1 April and they sell out quickly. Each car must have a permit for a specific time.
We will meet at 9:30 AM at the Visitor Center at Sunrise. Bring water, lunch, and the ten essentials. Be sure to give an extra 30 minutes to make it through the gate into Mt. Rainier National Park. We may try to move along the first part of the trip so we can make sure to get into Berkeley Park.
The leader will likely be camping at White River Campground. He will send out information if people want to arrange carpools amongst themselves.
Mount Fremont Lookout, Berkeley Park & Skyscraper Mountain
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Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270
Trails Illustrated Mount Rainier National Park - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
Ten Essentials
Bring appropriate identification apps or field guides.