Sourdough Ridge, Burroughs Mountain & Sunrise Rim Trail — Friday, Jul. 25, 2025

Today we did a day hike from Sunrise Visitor Center to Third Burroughs, outward following the North Burroughs trail, and on the way back too the south route around First Burroughs to Sunrise Rim Trail, about 10 miles round trip.

It was a beautiful hike.  The mountain was mostly out, with just small clouds forming and blowing away throughout the afternoon.  The view of the glaciers below Third Burroughs is totally worth the extra effort. The trail is well marked and obvious until the last 200 yards, but at that point you can see where your are going and how to get back. 

A marmot greeted us going up to First Burroughs, while a mountain goat stared down from above.  Later, when returning around the south side of First Burroughs, we saw four mountain goats a few hundred yards into plateau.  The wildflowers around Shadow Lake and nearby meadows were amazing.  

If I did this again, I would go in the reverse direction, the view of Rainier from the Sunrise Rim Trail and up the south side of First Burroughs was amazing, and I regretted that it was always behind me. We stopped a lot to make up for it.

Bugs were a minor annoyance at most - it seems one large fly followed each us all day but nothing biting.  There was a small patch of snow just before Second Burroughs, but completely manageable with boots/trekking poles. Be aware that the trip around the south side of First Burroughs has areas that are probably better with trekking poles and has some exposed areas, so keep those kiddos close.