Situated right next to the giant bulk that is Mt Rainier, the Burroughs Mountains aren’t super noticeable from a distance, but when climbed, these peaks give you one of the best close up views of Mt Rainier anywhere in the park! And fortunately for us, the Burroughs Mountain Loop connects all three!
There are three Burroughs Mountains, First Second and Third, and although technically the First isn’t prominent enough to be a mountain proper, they all provide incredible views! The three are easily linked via a moderately tough day hike, and if you’re able to summit all three in a day, you’ll have a great day on the trail!
Miles/Elevation:
9.4 miles
2,462 feet vertical gain
About Mt Rainier National Park:
Established as a national park in 1899, Mt Rainier National Park has a long history of preservation. Centered around the iconic Mt Rainier, the park preserves about 236,000 acres of land, ranging in elevation from 1,600 feet to over 14,000. This massive elevation range makes for insane views and mountains that seemingly scrape the sky!
Mt Rainier itself is one of the most iconic mountains of America. The 14,411 foot high volcano is the highest peak in the Cascade Mountain Range, the highest peak in the Pacific-Northwest, and the fourth highest in the entire lower 48!
It may not be the tallest in the lower 48, but the heavily glaciated slopes of Rainier give a striking appearance compared to many of America’s other great mountains. The fact that it towers 8-10,000 feet above the surrounding terrain makes it all the more intimidating!
Mt Rainier National Park is an incredible destination for outdoor recreation. For the adventurous, a summit of Mt Rainier can be a once in a lifetime experience. The mountain’s glacier-covered slopes make for a serious mountaineering objective, and many train here to prepare for high peaks in the Himalaya, Karakorum, and Andes!
For the less ambitious, Rainier is an incredible place to hike! The Wonderland Trail, a 93 mile backpacking route around Mt Rainier, is one of the best backpacking routes in America. The park as a whole contains over 260 miles of maintained trails to choose from! Whether you want easy day hikes or huge backpacking trips, you’ll find it here!
Mt Rainier has a number of different locations to choose from when exploring. The most popular is Paradise, located on the south slopes of the mountain. Near Paradise to the west is Longmire, located at much lower elevation along the Nisqually River. The highest elevation area reachable by vehicles is Sunrise, located in the north east portion of the park.
Every part of this park has incredible views, you just have to choose which area to focus on!
Getting To The Trailhead:
Travel to the northeast corner of Mt Rainier National Park via Highway 410 from the north, east, and west, or follow Highways 12 and 123 until reaching 410. Continue on 410 until reaching the turnoff for the Sunrise Park Road.
Pass through the entrance station to the national park, and follow Sunrise Park Road all the way up the flank of Mt Rainier until reaching the Sunrise Visitor Center. This is the highest point in the park accessible by car, and there is a large parking lot in front of the visitor center to park in.
Tips:
- On busy summer weekends, arrive early. Parking here does fill up by late morning on occasion.
- Continue on to the Mt Fremont Fire Lookout on the way back.
- I would recommend hiking clockwise, though counterclockwise would be fine.
- Wear bug spray.
The Burroughs Mountain Loop:
To First Burroughs Mountain:
From the parking lot head south to begin on the Sunrise Rim Trail. This trail gets its name from the fact that it follows the rim of the valley below, and as such there are some pretty sweet views looking thousands of feet below!
The trail starts off very mellow, and the first two miles will be pretty easy. You’ll even have some downhill hiking to do! Early on, the trail passes through mixed terrain of alpine Pacific Northwest forest and open meadows. This is definitely an active wildlife area too, and when I hiked here I heard a large animal in the woods just a few feet away! I didn’t see it, but I’m pretty sure it was larger than a deer!
After a mile or so, you’ll encounter Shadow Lake, the first notable feature of the hike. Shadow Lake isn’t a spectacular alpine lake by any means, it’s just an alpine meadow that is just concave enough to hold water, but it’s always nice to find some water!
Think about purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass if you’re visiting Mt Rainier!
Beyond Shadow Lake, you’ll pass Sunrise Camp backpacking campground, and from there the climbing begins. After a quick 130 feet of climbing, you’ll reach an incredible overlook of the glacier and valley below! You’re right on the cliff edge here, and in addition to the cool stuff below, Mt Rainier looms above!
Help keep this place beautiful. Follow Leave No Trace!
Beyond the viewpoint, the trail really hits its stride. You’ll traverse along the side of First Burroughs Mountain across a scree covered mountainside before eventually reaching the summit. There were still one or two snow patches when I hiked this in late July, and even then I was a bit nervous. A slip here would mean falling a very long way!
This is bear country so make sure you’re bear safe!
Throughout this exposed traverse, the views are incredible! The views here aren’t necessarily any different from the views at the first overlook, but it’s always great to have stuff to look at!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when you’re hiking!
All told, the climb from Shadow Lake to the summit of First Burroughs Mountain is about 900 vertical feet, and you’ll have just under a mile and a half to do it. It’s a decently steep climb, but anyone who is in decent shape can do it. Take it slow if you need!
After your 900 foot climb, you will emerge on the broad plateau that marks the summit of First Burroughs Mountain. While this isn’t a true mountain (Second Burroughs is higher right next door) it definitely feels like you are up high!
The terrain atop Burroughs is alpine tundra. You are above the treeline here, which is pretty awesome considering the moderate nature of this hike, so there isn’t really anything around other than rocks, moss, snow, and maybe a bit of grass!
To Second Burroughs Mountain:
From the summit of First Burroughs, descend down towards the obvious saddle with Second Burroughs. You won’t have much descending to do here, only about 50 feet, and before long you will be climbing towards the second peak. This lack of height between the saddle and First Burroughs is why it’s not technically a mountain!
Crystal Peak has more incredible views of Rainier, but you’ll have to work for them!
After a short descent, begin climbing again at the bottom of the saddle. Despite being in the tough and hardscrabble alpine tundra, the trail is actually quite nice, due largely to national park funding and a high usage rate!
From the bottom of the saddle to the summit of Second Burroughs is about 300 vertical feet of climbing. It’s a decently steep climb, but it won’t be anything crazy considering the climb to the first peak is actually fairly steep. When I hiked here in late July there was still significant snow on this climb. There were steps punched into the snow throughout most of the climb which made it easier, but be ready for at least some lingering snowfields for most of summer! It’s not fun slipping down steep snowfields wearing running shoes!
After a hopefully quick and easy 300 foot climb, you will be atop Second Burroughs Mountain! The summit itself isn’t really anything that incredible. It’s not quite as broad and flat as First Burroughs, but don’t expect a dramatic summit pyramid either. There’s plenty of room up here for quite a few people!
If you like this hike, definitely check out nearby Shriner Peak!
The view from the summit though is incredible! This is as close to Rainier itself as I have been, and the view of the big mountain is unobstructed and close up! There is nothing separating you from the glaciated soaring peak other than air, and at this point you’re the highest thing around other than the big peak!
To Third Burroughs Mountain:
From the summit of the second peak, the path to Third Burroughs is another straightforward descent down to a saddle and then climb up the other side. The entire route forward is clearly visible from the summit of the second peak, and you’re likely to actually see people making the crossing.
The descent down to the saddle between Second and Third is about 300 feet, and then the climb up to Third Burroughs is roughly 800. However, I actually did not attempt to reach the third peak.
Snow Lake is a stunning and easy hike in Mt Rainier!
There was a substantial amount of snow on the trail separating Third from Second, and I really don’t enjoy hiking on snow. I didn’t have my boots or microspikes, which would have made things much easier, so I elected to turn around after the second peak. Feel free to judge, but I had a great time exploring the rest of the Sunrise area, and honestly I don’t think the view from the third mountain would be noticeably better anyway!
To Frozen Lake:
From the summit of Second Burroughs, the return trip began with a snowy descent down to the saddle with First Burroughs, followed by the mellow climb back up to the summit of the first mountain. After regaining that summit, I elected to make this hike something of a loop and descend down towards Frozen Lake rather than back the way I came.
Frozen Lake is one of the most popular destinations for casual day hikers in this part of the park, so I figured why not go see it. Out and back hikes are fine, but if you can see new terrain why wouldn’t you? This would also take me past the turn off for the Mt Fremont Lookout Trail (which is possibly my favorite hike in the park as it would turn out!).
The trail descending down this side of the mountain is also really cool. There are expansive views, now looking to the north rather than the south, it’s rocky, and it’s a bit exposed! In the distance, you will eventually be able to see your next destination, Frozen Lake, and beyond that Mt Fremont.
For a shorter version of this hike try the Sunrise Rim Trail!
Soon after spotting Frozen Lake in the distance you will quickly arrive at this small but photogenic body of water. Frozen Lake is a very popular destination for hikers looking for a very short hike, and it is pretty (but you’ll have had better views already!). The little lake actually provides drinking water for the Sunrise area, so no swimming!
Optional Side Trip To Mt Fremont Lookout:
This isn’t actually a part of the Burroughs Mountain Loop, but it’s 100% worth doing!
This is not a part of the Burroughs Mountain Loop, but it makes a ton of sense to hike to the lookout if you’re up here. The side trip only adds a couple of miles, and it’s just as good if not better hiking than you’ll have seen so far! Here’s an excerpt from our Mt Fremont Lookout Trail.
Just after passing Frozen Lake, take a right to begin on the Mt Fremont Lookout Trail. The hiking immediately after the lake is flat, and perhaps even slightly downhill, as you pass through alpine meadows beyond the lake. However, you will soon begin climbing again.
There is about 400 vertical feet of climbing from here to reach the lookout, and most of that climbing happens in the first half a mile beyond the lake. There are large steps in places, and make no mistake, 400 feet in half a mile is a noticeable incline!
Directly in front of you there isn’t much to look at during the climb, so make sure to take a glance behind towards the massive bulk of Mt Rainier! You’ll even have Frozen Lake in the foreground!
After a tough half mile of climbing, you will be up on the ridge and ready to traverse to the lookout! The lookout isn’t actually on the summit of Mt Fremont. The summit of the mountain is just behind Frozen Lake. The lookout is at the far end of the north ridge of the mountain. To get there, you’ll hike on one of the best trails in Mt Rainier National Park!
From the top of the climb to the fire lookout, you will be on an exposed, rocky, and all around stunning section of trail along Mt Fremont’s north ridge. You won’t be on the ridge proper though. Instead, the trail traverses across the talus covered western slope.
All throughout this section of trail, you will be just feet from a dizzying potential fall down hundreds of feet of mountainside! Don’t worry too much though, if you did slip you would probably crush your skull on the boulders just below so you wouldn’t go too far!
I kid a bit, but you should definitely take this trail seriously. Messing around up here could result in very serious injury. And really the trail is narrow in spots, with large overhanging rocks that make maneuvering difficult. Multiple times, either I or approaching traffic had to completely stop and lean out of the way to let the other pass.
After reaching the apex of the opening climb up and away from Frozen Lake, the trail goes on to undulate towards the lookout at the far end of the ridge. From the top of that first climb, you’ll have about half a mile of hiking to reach the lookout.
Upon arrival to the end of the ridge, the lookout may not be abundantly obvious. Go all the way to the end near the rock ledges, and below you will see the lookout. You’ll probably notice the roof first, but there is actually a slight climb down to reach the structure itself.
While old lookouts are cool, the real star of the show here is the views. Obviously, Rainier dominates, but here I think the looks at Rainier are better than most places. In the foreground you have the epic exposed trail you just hiking. The midground contains the Burroughs Mountains, and obviously Rainier is the dramatic backdrop!
In other directions the panorama is fantastic as well. Far to the north, another Cascade volcano was visible in the clear weather I was fortunate to have. A bit closer, the jagged, largely forested, peaks of the Cascade were great to look at too!
While the views were great, I have to admit I didn’t completely enjoy my time at the lookout. The mosquitoes were absolutely horrid! I was honestly shocked, not because there were bugs (bugs are pretty common in the mountains in peak summer), but because they were so much worse here than I had yet encountered in the park. There was no standing water within a mile of the lookout, but the mosquitoes were awful!
Back To The Trailhead:
From the lookout, retrace your steps back to Frozen Lake, and then continue on to the Sourdough Ridge Trail. This is another epic piece of trail, and again you’ll have incredible views, wide open terrain, and a nice bit of exposure! This final stretch of hiking back to the trailhead is another great reason to make this hike a loop!
The Mt Fremont Lookout Trail is my favorite moderate hike in Mt Rainier!
When hiking up Sourdough Ridge, Mt Rainier dominates the skyline and the views, but on the way down, the rest of Mt Rainier National Park is the highlight! The numerous fairly small, but photogenic and jagged peaks of the Cascades surrounded by the dense pine forest of the Pacific Northwest make for a fine alternative to the soaring Rainier.
After a half mile, you’ll drop off the ridge and descend down into the meadows above Sunrise. The views are still great, but by now the parking lot and visitor center will be in sight. This isn’t a super long hike, but in terms of views, excitement, and overall quality, it’s about as good as it gets!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 10/10
This hike has incredible panoramic views, largely excellent trail quality, multiple alpine lakes, at least one summit, and some awesome exposed trails. That’s basically everything I look for in a hike, and this one hits them all. Is this my favorite hike I’ve ever done? Probably not to be honest, but there is no denying that it is an incredible hike that checks off just about every box!
Pros:
- Incredible views
- Summit opportunity
- Awesome trails
- Exposure
Cons:
- Busy
Alternative Hikes:
Wonderland Trail to Camp Summerland
When To Hike The Burroughs Mountain Loop:
The Burroughs Mountain Loop is primarily a summer hiking trail. Mt Rainier National Park gets absolutely massive amounts of snowfall, and while the higher slopes of Rainier itself get the most, even the lower reaches of the park get huge quantities of snow.
Most of the roads through Mt Rainier close for the winter, so you won’t even be able to reach most of the park during winter and most of spring. This means that you must wait until the snow melts and the roads open to hike. Once the snow starts falling in the fall, the roads close again!
This all means that the hiking season in Mt Rainier is exceptionally short. Many roads here don’t actually open until July, so hiking season really is just July through September. You could chance it and try June or maybe October, but I wouldn’t count on the roads being clear. July and August are extremely busy, but those are the best times to hike in Mt Rainier!
Links For Further Reading:
Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | Map, Guide – Washington | AllTrails
Burroughs Mountain — Washington Trails Association
Burroughs Mountain Trail – Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
2 Comments