Skyscraper Mountain Trail

Overview

Looking for the quintessential Sunrise-area hike without the shoulder-to-shoulder scene? Skyscraper Mountain delivers. Expect a well-graded, scenic climb to Skyscraper Pass with the option to tack on a short, steep bootpath to a true summit. Plan on about 8.5 miles round-trip if you tag the top (roughly 6.8 miles round-trip to the pass) with 1,700–2,000 feet of total gain depending on your exact route and device.

Route

Start from the Sunrise Visitor Center and climb to Sourdough Ridge, then head west along the airy ridge to a five-way junction. Pick up the Wonderland Trail toward Skyscraper Pass, weaving through open meadows and rocky slopes. At about 3.4 miles you’ll reach Skyscraper Pass—already a stellar viewpoint and a great place for a wind-sheltered break. From the pass, an obvious but unmaintained bootpath heads north to the summit. It’s steep, on loose rock in spots, and exposed in places, but remains a non-technical walk-up for experienced hikers comfortable with uneven alpine terrain.

What You’ll See

This is Sunrise at its best: broad subalpine meadows bursting with summer wildflowers, marmot whistles echoing across the basins, and big, head-on views of Mount Rainier’s glaciers. From the summit, the panorama takes in Burroughs Mountain, Berkeley Park, Sluiskin Mountain, and the Emmons Glacier. The ridges here showcase classic volcanic high country—rocky tread, pumicey soils, and dramatic relief above the White River valley.

Crowd Factor

Skyscraper sees fewer people than nearby headliners like Burroughs Mountain or Dege Peak—especially beyond Skyscraper Pass. If you like the Sunrise scenery but prefer a little breathing room, this is your move.

Best Time to Hike

Go July through September when the Sunrise Road is open and most snow has melted. Early season can leave snowfields on north-facing slopes—beautiful, but slippery. Mornings offer cooler temps, calmer winds, and flattering light on Rainier. Midweek is the sweet spot for solitude; weekends are busier near Sunrise but still reasonable past the pass on this route.

Tips and Tricks

• Bring sun protection—this route is exposed for long stretches.
• Trekking poles shine on the summit spur and any lingering snow.
• Carry a reliable map for the ridge junctions and the unmarked summit bootpath; the main trail is signed but the final climb is not.
• If winds are howling up high, Skyscraper Pass often makes a more comfortable (and still spectacular) turnaround.

Hazards and Access

The summit path is not a constructed trail; expect loose rock and short sections of exposure. Early-season snow on shaded slopes can mean a long slide if you fall—cross with caution or turn back. Weather changes fast at ~7,000 feet, so pack layers. Pets are not allowed on park trails. Day hikers don’t need a permit; overnight trips in the area do.