Burroughs Mountain Trail

Start at the Sourdough Ridge access on the north side of the Sunrise parking lot. The first stretch is wide, dusty in places, and steadily uphill across open ground. It gains about 400 feet in a little over half a mile, so the altitude starts to count before the main climb. Views open both ways along the ridge. At Frozen Lake, take the signed Burroughs Mountain trail at the busy five-way junction; the lake supplies Sunrise’s water and is closed to visitors.

From the junction, the trail climbs toward First Burroughs. The grade gets steeper, but the route is clear. The path leaves the ridge and crosses rocky, sparsely planted ground before reaching a wide, nearly level plateau.

First Burroughs is already a worthwhile turnaround. Look south across the White River valley to Emmons Glacier and Rainier; turn north for the bare ridge of Old Desolate and the greener slopes around Berkeley Park.

For the full hike, continue west about six-tenths of a mile to Second Burroughs, then retrace that spur to the loop. The path dips between the two high points before climbing again. Second is a broad, rocky plateau around 7,400 feet, with a low stone windbreak and bench. From here, the glacier crevasses, Little Tahoma, and the valleys below sit much closer than they do from Sunrise. Stop here: the rougher continuation toward Third Burroughs is outside this mapped route.

This high ridge supports a surprising spread of small plants and early-summer flowers. They grow slowly in the thin, exposed ground, so stay on the constructed path even where the tread looks faint. The rocks along the route are andesite formed by Mount Rainier’s earlier volcanic activity. These peaks were named for naturalist John Burroughs.

Mountain goats sometimes graze on the slopes; marmots, pika, and chipmunks are also reported here. They are a bonus, not a promise, and the open ground gives you a good chance to notice them without leaving the trail.

After retracing from Second to First, follow the eastbound loop toward Shadow Lake and the Sunrise Rim trail, then back to the south side of the lot. It gives you a different view on the way back instead of repeating Sourdough Ridge. Sunrise Camp lies near Shadow Lake, about a mile from the parking lot; overnight stays there require a wilderness permit.

The trail stays high and mostly treeless. Early-season snow can linger on steep slopes and become hazardous, and weather can change quickly at Sunrise’s elevation. The park’s road to Sunrise is seasonal and closes for winter after significant snow. Restrooms are at the parking lot, but there are no facilities along the trail. Pets are not allowed on park trails. Fill up before leaving the lot, and keep to the tread to protect the fragile tundra.

The First Burroughs loop is about 4.7 miles and skips the extra climb to Second. That is the better choice if you want the same open ridge scenery with less distance. Beyond Second, the trail drops to a saddle and then climbs steeply toward Third Burroughs on an unmaintained route. That longer hike is a separate commitment, not a small add-on to this loop.

Published totals to Second range from about 6 to 7.4 miles depending on the return route. This version uses Sourdough Ridge in and Sunrise Rim back.