Burroughs Mountain — Tuesday, Jul. 9, 2013

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

Got up at 3 AM, was at the top of road by 5 AM, love living 60 miles from the park! I always want to be earlier to get in a good position for the pink show.... but it was still wonderful and I was full of coffee! The snow crossings are melting quickly, there's only one left on the way to frozen lake and it's very doable, not scary at all. No marmots up at this time. Looked everywhere for goats and headed up Burrough's. First snow crossing is well established boot path, but i was glad for poles anyway. Second one is a little concerning and I put on micospikes for added insurance. I never mind going up, it's always going down that I slip. Got up top and was in heaven! There was not another person around, always amazes me. I was looking and walking towards 2nd burroughs and down comes a beautiful fox, coming right to me, we exchanged looks and he stopped then went around me and towards a marmot who was whistling at him. I wondering what they were thinking..Then I spotted a goat! He was a good distance away .i lingered and then went down the back way towards sunrise camp/shadow lake. The snow crossing is steep and again put on the spikes and my heart did pound on this one...but i made it to marmot corner, the rocky outcrop area saw 3 marmots frolicking about. Back down to shadow lake looking for bear. Didn't see any. The flowers look like they are about to pop in the next week, and the FLIES are OUT now..ekkk! But the price we pay..Rolling down the hill a nice size cinnamon bear crossed the paved road in front of me... no photo he was too quick. So I pretty much got it all today! And home early enough to get some work done.