Burroughs Mountain — Saturday, Jul. 4, 1998

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

The news report was that the road to Sunrise would be open for the 4th of July weekend but don't expect to do any hiking since the trails are still under several feet of snow. Only a handful of cars were in the large parking lot at 9:30. The trail from Sunrise to Frozen Lake had only minor snow patches with lots of marmots scurrying around on the trail and rocks. The trail to Fremont Lookout was also snow free but our destination was 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Burroughs. There is still significant snow from Frozen Lake to 1st Burroughs with the ranger advisory to have an ice axe. Tiny, delicate flowers were starting to bloom on the broad plateau of 1st Burroughs. Elevation is lost and regained to 2nd Burroughs with only patches of snow along the way. The hemisherical stone seat was unoccupied but the weather was unwilling to let us view Mount Rainier. Then down again and up on snow and boot path to 3rd Burroughs. The fog was thick enough that a compass was actually needed for a short while. The weather did cooperate periodically to fill our field of vision with Mount Rainier and a huge lenticular cap draped over the top of the mountain.