The Burroughs Mountain Trail in Mount Rainier National Park offers incessant scenic views, placing it among our top hikes in the park. At first, you observe Mount Rainier while traversing Sourdough Ridge, then it disappears behind the burroughs during the ascent of the initial burroughs (the trail guide below will elucidate what precisely that signifies), and subsequently you progress into the alpine tundra where extraordinary vistas unveil in every azimuth.
Mount Baker to the north, the mountain ranges to the east, the additional boroughs that you`re progressing towards to the west (and eventually the Olympics off in the distance), and southwest is, of course, the notable natural feature.
No other trail in the park – not even the renowned Skyline Trail – allows you to feel so near to the magnificent face of Mount Rainier, with the sole exception being an actual ascent of Rainier itself.
If you’re looking to get up close and personal with Rainier’s glaciated northeastern face, this is the hike for you.
Reaching the destination won’t be simple – you’ll do a lot of ascending and descending to arrive (each of the three burroughs comes with a nice little valley in between, which means up and down you go!), but we think you’ll agree that it’s worth it in the conclusion.
In this guide, we’re going to take you through everything we think you need to know to attempt the trail yourself.
We’ll start with logistics – where to park, what route to take, and some other things to keep in mind – and finish with a brief trail report based on our own experiences on the trail.
By the end, we think you’ll have a decent idea of what to anticipate when you hit the trail yourself so you can plan a safe, amazing trip.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.
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Table of Contents
Burroughs Mountain: Hike Details (to the Third Burroughs)
- Distance: 9.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
- Trail Type: Loop
- Trailhead Location: Sunrise Visitor Center
- Highlights: Draw ever nearer Rainier until practically able to touch the northeastern face from the third burroughs` peak.
- Starting Altitude: 6,400 feet
- Maximum Elevation Reached: 7,800 feet
Choosing Your Route for the Burroughs
We have a strong view on the best route for this hike, but we’re going to first introduce you to the two top options, then dive deeper into our preferred route.
There’s also the question of whether or not you should continue to the third burroughs, which we’ll touch on below in the next section.
Here are the two best route options (sure, there may be other ways to do it, but in our opinion these are the two preferable routes):
- Out and Back from Sunrise via Sourdough Ridge Trail: This hike involves departing from the northern section of the Sunrise Visitor Center, climbing up to Sourdough Ridge. You’ll travel to the Frozen Lake trail junction, ascend to the burrows, and return by the same route along Sourdough Ridge. This is the briefest route, but also the most crowded and repetitive way to complete the hike.
- The Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail via Sourdough Ridge and Sunrise Rim: The scenic splendors persist along this hike. The route initially follows the same path up to the burroughs as the previous out and back option, before circling back on an alternate trail – the Sunrise Rim trail. This trail begins along a ridge presenting views of Mount Rainier and the White River Valley. It then descends near Sunrise Camp, approximately half a mile beyond the out and back length but with an identical elevation gain. Abundant wildflower displays bursting with color inhabit the meadows at the loop`s end during summer, making the extra distance worthwhile.
If you haven’t deduced as much already, we strongly recommend following the loop trail, which offers more variety in the terrain and is far less crowded since the Frozen Lake junction is part of three of Mount Rainier’s most popular hikes.
If undertaking the out and back route, you have all necessary details below – simply follow the provided trail guidance outward to the burroughs, then return by the same path.
Should You Tackle the Third Burroughs?
On every map of the parks and official guides, only two boroughs are listed. However, there is actually a third borough beyond the second!
And it’s even nearer to Mount Rainier’s northeastern face, with spectacular sights towards the Mountain and out to the west, where you can see the Olympics on a clear day.
However, the hike towards the third location should not be underestimated. Which became immediately evident upon departure from the second location en route to the third location.
Between the last two areas, the path descends deeply into a valley where you have excellent views to the north, with the Mount Fremont Lookout in the foreground and Mount Baker off in the distance.
The trail descends 400 feet to the valley floor (requiring an equivalent ascent on return), immediately turning into a steep 800-foot climb over loose gravel and sand stretched across one mile.
We’re not going to minimize the difficulties. The hike out to third burroughs mountain is testing. It’s also very exposed – no tree cover to speak of in the alpine tundra – and gets up to just under 8,000 feet above sea level.
If your fitness allows for an additional three miles and 1,200 feet of elevation gain with steep ascents and descents, then we absolutely think you should continue to the third burroughs.
If not, the views from the second burroughs are still rather spectacular, and it is a much more manageable six miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
The Best Time to Hike Burroughs Mountain
This hike is located in the Sunrise region of Mount Rainier National Park, and is solely accessible when the park roads are open.
Ordinarily, this refers to late June / early July through September, but it varies yearly depending on rainfall/snowfall and spring climate. Verify road status here.
The brief season doesn’t truly provide much flexibility in terms of when to hike this trail – it`s really only accessible in the summer months. The trail climbs 1,500 feet above the Sunrise Visitor Center, which implies that snow will be encountered on this hike into July.
Late July through August is the best time to hike it to avoid snow, and you’ll get some pretty spectacular wildflowers along the way during that time frame too.
Important for 2024: To cope with the ever-growing crowds touring Rainier yearly, the park has put in place a timed access pass for visitors to the Paradise and Sunrise corridors in 2024. For more data, head to the NPS website (linked above).
Getting to the Trailhead at the Sunrise Visitor Center
The starting point for climbing Burroughs Mountain is at the parking lot of the Sunrise Visitor Center, which is approximately two and a half hours` travel from Seattle.
To get there from Seattle, motorists will drive through Enumclaw to access Highway 410 South, which ascends to the White River Entrance. Again, it is important to note that this road is exclusively open between the end of June and September..
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From the White River Entrance, you’ll climb up to the Sunrise Visitor Center along a very steep, highly inclined roadway.
Hiking the Burroughs Mountain Trail: A Complete Trail Guide
This section provides a complete breakdown of what to anticipate throughout the hike.
To structure the description in a more digestible manner (and give a feel for the different stages of the route), we will separate it into four distinct segments of the trail.
- Sourdough Ridge
- The Ascent to the First and Second Elevated Areas
- The Third Burroughs
- The Loop Back
Traversing Sourdough Ridge
The trail starts from the northern edge of the Sunrise Visitor Center parking area, near the picnic spot. There’s a restroom and water refill station directly next to the trailhead.
From there, the trail starts a three-quarters of a mile climb to the top of Sourdough Ridge, rising 400 feet along the way.
To your left as you begin, stunning views of Mount Rainier will take your breath away, with wildflowers of every hue – white, purple, red – in bloom across the fields lining the trail during early summer.
Once arrived at the ridge, the trail veers westward as the perspectives continued enhancing. The trail ascended and descended somewhat over the next half mile, when Frozen Lake would be reached. Frozen Lake provides the drinking water for the area, so close approach is restricted (to prevent contamination of the water).
At this point, Mount Rainier is partially obscured thanks to the burroughs, but not for long.
This trail junction is a hub connecting numerous routes, such as the ascent to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout and the botanical treasure that is Berkeley Park.
There are some nice rocks here to take a pause, grab a snack, and unwind before starting the ascent into the alpine tundra that comes next.
The Ascent to First Burroughs and Second Burroughs Mountains
The climb up to the alpine tundra starts with a gradual ascent that is not quick, climbing 450 feet over small rocks and gravel. As you climb, Rainier’s peak starts to emerge in the distance.
At the top, the summit has been achieved! While the perspectives from here aren`t quite as stunning as those still to come, a pleasant vista of the northwestern face of the Mountain can still be appreciated.
The trail you’ll take to create the loop – the Sunrise Rim Trail – is off to the left here.
You will certainly notice the scenery change as you reach the summit introducing you to the tundra.
Compared to the leafy, tree-lined hills just traversed, the terrain at the summit of this ascent is barren and rocky, with just a few plants somehow taking root. How? I’m unsure. We came across what appeared to be a bush-shaped fir tree and were perplexed regarding how it survived in this part of the park.
One helpful suggestion: keep an eye out for marmots! Marmots are adorable as they waddle along, and they frequent the rocky terrain here. Mountain goats as well.
Continue along the trail, which descends briefly then initiates another ascent to the second vantage point, which presents an even better perspective than the first, if it can be believed. It’s another 0.6 miles between them, with a 300 foot elevation gain.
From the top, sweeping views extend to the south of the White River Valley, including sights of Emmons and Winthrop Glacier.
The Journey to the Third Burroughs
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Be sure to bring plenty of snacks, water, and sun protection gear, then head west from the summit of the second burroughs mountain hike.
Instantly, the path begins a steep decline. Like us, you`ll likely lament the fact that a) you must climb this return and b) whoa, that`s a seriously steep trail ahead!
This portion of the trail decreases 400 feet over the course of a half mile into a small valley, where you’ll find the junction with the Glacier Basin Trail (which could guide you back to White River Campground, if you so desire).
- Most 7 year-olds would have little trouble completing the walk in terms of difficulty (i.e. the quality of the path) but it is a very long walk for anyone under 10.
The views, though, are out of this world.
To the west is the Olympic Mountain Range. To the north is Mount Baker (and you can even spot Bellevue from certain points during the climb). To the east is the backbone of the Cascades.
And, obviously, there’s Tahoma. Rainier is so close you can practically contact it.
There are many great rocks for sitting here, and we’d recommend spending some time taking in the views of the amazing landscape that you’ve been hiking through before beginning the descent.
The exposed location meant there was no opportunity for a bathroom break. The necessity would have to be endured until reaching the campsite destination some distance away.
The Loop Back to the Parking Lot
Follow the trail back along the way you came until you reach the First Burrough.
From there, take the right trail to follow the Sunrise Rim Trail, which is another ridgeline trail with spectacular views of Rainier. This time, unlike the Sourdough Ridge portion, you have great views of the White River Valley.
The trail gradually loses 900 feet over 1.3 miles before ending at Sunrise Camp with an outhouse and small backcountry sites.
Continue past Shadow Lake, which merits stopping to observe, before undertaking a brief ascent back to the Sunrise Visitor Center.
You’ll wind up on the south end of the parking area (remember, you left from the northern side).
Tips For the Hike to Burroughs Mountain
Here are a couple things to know based on our experience hiking this trail.
You cannot bring dogs on the trail in a national park. Dogs are permitted in areas like campgrounds and parking lots, just like vehicles. However, they are not allowed on any hiking paths within national parks.
This hike has VERY little protection from the sun. Once you reach the high alpine tundra region, there is absolutely no respite from the sun`s rays. On a hot summer day, it can be overwhelming. Sunscreen, a sun hat, and a long sleeve top will be your best companions.
Additionally, there is no water source along the trail once you reach the tundra vegetation. Carry at minimum 2L of water per person, because it’s a strenuous hike at high elevation. Staying hydrated is absolutely vital. We each use a pair of 1L Platypus water bottles, which we love. They’ve accompanied us on hiking paths around the globe.
You’re going to want durable hiking boots with good traction for this trail, particularly if you’re doing it early in the summer when there’s snowfall. We recommend (and own) the Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots – an excellent initial pair of hiking boots.
This trail involves significant elevation changes. We highly recommend trekking poles, which we used to believe were only for older individuals and Germans (for some inexplicable reason, we’ve encountered an astonishing number of Germans of all ages who adore hiking poles) and now we practically won’t take our canine companion for a walk without them. They’ll preserve your knees on the downhill sections, and they’ll assist you to push through on the uphill portions. These REI poles are an excellent initial pair of poles.
It gets blustery at the summit.An extra insulating layer (like fleece) as well as windproof outerwear were advised, just in case gusty conditions arose
You may see wildlife along the way, including black bears, mountain goats, marmots (SO CUTE), and chipmunks. Under no circumstances should you feed them. At any time. Ever. Contact with humans can make them aggressive, which is problematic for both yourself and the animal. Be sure to give them plenty of space. After all, they are wild animals and are highly unpredictable.
