Sourdough Ridge, Shadow Lake - Sunrise Camp Loop — Sunday, Jul. 27, 2014

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

Started out at 9 am in the Sunrise parking lot. $15 To get in.....didnt know in addition to forest pass but I guess so. Got to it right away hiking. Some people around not terribly busy I was pleasantly surprised considering how clear of a day it was. We went up the Sourdough Trail to Frozen Lake. From here we veered off to Mt Freemont Lookout. Super cool to overlook Grand Park. We were able to see Seattle, Glacier Peak, Mt Baker. It was just awesome. Bugs were out in force though. Had to constantly move to not get eaten alive. Rainier looked awesome we were able to get tons of pictures. On the way back from the Lookout we decided to not go to Burroughs. Rangers are advising if you do go to come back down the way you came up because the loop to the Sunrise Rim Trail is highly dangerous and a self arrest ice axe is advised. As I had my 9 year old with me.......that would be a no thanks. Decided to do the Rim Trail instead and check out Shadow Lake. Pretty cool little lake. Nice views on the way back of Rainier. Cool meadow. We could see the way we came in most of the trail which was comical to us since we went this different way and got different views. Tip: The outhouse at sunrise camp by shadow lake was a blessing as we were both holding our #2's in by this time. When we got back to the Sunrise Parking Lot at 2pm. WOW!!!!! All i thought was....."that escalated quickly" The entire football field parking lot was stuffed full as opposed to the 20-30 cars that were there at 9am. (go semi-early to avoid the non hikers that roam around visiting.....it was so bad i thought it was a day at the beach or something)