Hiked in Sunrise to Sunrise Camp, the north trail in is mostly converted road and no great shakes. However, it is in sunshine when the more scenic south route is cloud-swept, so it's a great choice if you want to warm up a bit. Sunrise Camp is in good shape, less overrun than we expected so close to pavement (only 1.3 mi from Sunrise parking lot). Pit toilet stinks but is clean. Rather than hike the Burroughs Loop down to White River Campground, we hiked out to Burroughs 2 and returned. Going up we took the south route, which was hot and sunny but free of bugs. On Burroughs 1, the cloud roll-up made for chilly breezy hiking and not a lot of long-range views to the north (to the South it was good viewing down to Emmons Glacier but no view up the mountain). Trail to Burroughs 2 was in great shape also, a little higher up but clouds got worse and did not blow off. Hiking back we took the north route off Burroughs 1, this trail is great for going down because it's almost like a jogging track and in great shape. In all it was cooler than expected with threats of raindrops but no actual rain or even dampnes.

A large group of us hiked to the second & third Burroughs Mountain, above Sunrise. Despite being a Seattle native, I've only been to MRNP twice before, and the last time to Sunrise was in 1975. It was just as beautiful as I remembered it, although the crowds have really grown. The sun was out and the views of Emmons Glacier were stupendous. Also visible were smoke plumes from several Cascade fires way off in the distance. I had forgotten that the wildflowers would still be blooming this time of the year. The colors were brilliant. We saw several marmots, and one solitary mountain goat on the east side of second Burroughs. We saw a herd of 10-12 mountain goats slightly to the west of third Burroughs. The specifics: trail conditions were perfect, no snow, water, mud, or anything else on the trail. Upon returning to the parking lot I was amazed at the number of cars - it looked like the parking lot at Safeco Field.

We did the loop starting at the White River Campground and heading along the river before ascending to Burroughs 2. The meadows were full of all sorts of flowers. We encountered few others until reaching Burroughs and then it was a parade all the way until the decending trail back to the campground. This was my first time on this loop and I was very impressed. The only drawbacks were the heat and the crowds coming from sunrise. The views were the best and the variety of terrain made it a very interesting but difficult jaunt. The bugs were tolerable. Only a tiny patch of snow on the trail to shadow lake.

After a close call at the entrance gate (You can't pay your entrance fees or buy an annual pass with a credit card at the White River entrance) we arrived shortly before noon at Sunrise to a mix of blue skies, and clouds. Before we could lace our boots, the wave of fog was crashing over the ridge and filling the Sunrise valley. While not yet in full glory, the wildflowers are very nice -- the magenta paintbrush stealing the show in the swirling summer fog. All the usual supects (deer, chipmunks and camprobbers are here too.) All at a comfortable 70 degrees! We hiked in and out of the fog and clounds all the way to the second Burroughs where Meany's bench provided a great view of the inside of a cloud for lunch. The trail is in good shape with only two minor snow patches, both easily navigated without poles or ice axes and with much less than the 20% snow coverage reported by the NPS. A few rain drops and claps of thunder signaled it was time to leave our ""moon in a cloud"" destination and return to Sunrise. Hit 410 just in time for a true NW downpour. All in all a great way to spend a Friday afternoon in Washington!

Had lunch in the Sunrise Parking lot, put on some warm clothes and headed out. The lodge at Sunrise is closed, but there was a small food service truck in the parking lot that was doing a huge business. The parking lot was full. People seemed to be dressed for the weather which was beautiful, clear and sunny, but with a cool wind blowing. The trail up to first Borroughs had some snow on it from a recent snowfall. Nothing difficult to navigate. Lots of people on top of 2nd Borroughs and why groups have to sit one on top of another amazes me. Doesn't anyone just want to drink in the views and enjoy the serenity of it all' Several people on the way to 3rd Borroughs. That is my goal for next year. I think the road to Sunrise closes in about two weeks'