On a last minute whim, I checked the Recreation.gov website on Thursday night and scored a 7AM-9AM entry permit for Sunrise. My hiking buddy and I arrived at the gate around 7:30AM the next day, and were surprised to see only one car ahead of us. I'm unsure if this was the permitting system at work, or people missing/adjusting their arrival time due to the holiday. Parking was easy, but we were swarmed by bugs almost as soon as we got out of the vehicle. Multiple, judicious sprays of bug spray finally knocked them back, but we were both getting fly-bys the entire time we were out.

The trail out of Sunrise was clear, but we hit the first big snowfield on the way to Dege almost immediately. It's still visible from the parking lot, but we wanted to scope it out regardless. At the time, it was about 8' tall, with boot tracks kicked in at a tight angle. The major issue we had was snow integrity, though. There was a lot of melt out underneath, and even at around 8AM, we were already sinking in on almost every step. There were more snowfields than clear trail and neither of us was feeling it without gaiters, so we decided to bag it and head back down on Sourdough Ridge. It was similar here, with lots of mushy snow to cross. Give it a few more days in this heat with more people breaking it down, and I'm sure it'll no longer be an issue. Based on the trip report from Jworthi1, Dege looks clear from the Palisades trail, so that might be a good alternative in the interim.

Arrived at the White River parking lot at 8 thur. morning. Hiked to Dege Pk. Met one trail runner and until we hit the Sunrise parking lot on the way down-nobody. The weather was stupendous. The views from Dege are really  extraordinary. George and I have hiked most of the trails in the park at one time or another but have never been to Dege. The crowds and how good could a close in hike be? Well worth the effort. We figure that  a person could hike the  3rd Burroughs and Dege and have some of the best views in the park.

You have a 360 view from the peak. The Governors, Tamanos, all the major features of The Mountain, Grand Park, Freemont Lookout, The Burroughs, Huckleberry  Basin,  back of Green Park and Marcus Pk. and the Palisades and a great shot of Sunrise and Clover Lakes, Brown Pk. Mt., Adams and a lot more. We spent over an hour at the top and just soaked in the views and silence.

Gotta love Sunrise after the road closure. The Burroughs White River Loop and the hike to Freemont, which we did last year along with Dege are now some of our favorite hike. We start early (not Mary&Mollie early), and almost always have these hikes to ourselves until the return trip.

Trip Report for Dege Peak (and Sourdough Trail from Dege to Sunrise Visitor Center).  9/16/23

Have wanted to do a sunrise hike for a few years but lining up all the weather, driving, early-morning (basically middle-of-the-night) alarm clock had to be coordinated.  Have been watching reports about Fremont Lookout and didn’t want to join the parade that goes there every weekend.  If you want an alternative, Dege Peak will deliver.  

We parked in the Sunrise POINT overlook at 4:30am and walked across the street to the trailhead.  Plenty of parking available, only about 6 cars in the lot, but many passing us to go to Sunrise Visitor Center/Lodge.  The trail pretty much just goes up up, up for the 1.5 miles along the ridge.  Of course in the dark with headlamps all we could see was the path in front of us and didn't realize the amazing views on each side until our return in the daylight. The trail was a bit dusty and also on the return we noticed some of the colors are starting to show on the blueberry (I think) plants.  

The trail switchbacks at one mile to Dege for another .3 miles with a false summit about half way up.  Great views here but keep to the left and continue climbing to reach the top.  

The top is fairly small (compared to Fremont) but plenty of space to share.  We had it for about 20 minutes to ourselves and then only another 5 people total joined to watch the sun rise.  And what a view with the sun rising to the East and Rainier/Tahoma directly behind.  

We then went back to the Dege Peak / Sourdough intersection and continued on to Sunrise Visitor Center/Lodge.  The parking lot at 8:30am was jam packed.  Restrooms open (but a sign on the door said bring your own T.P.). (True).  The snack bar and visitor center was closed. 

We returned back up Sourdough and continued to the Sunrise Point parking lot.  Noticed the wildflowers are almost done  - still a few beargrass here and there and purple asters dotting the landscape.  A few yellow jackets buzzing around when we stood still - all likely due to the warm September temps we are having. A ranger even pointed out a mountain goat in the distance about half way back to the Sunrise Point lookout. 

Overall, we felt this hike had maximum views (on all sides) for fairly minimal effort.  It does have some elevation gain (made us sweat) - and lots of water recommended for summer months since the majority of it is exposed - but for all the climbing and few miles, it has endless scenic views. In total, we logged 7 miles, out and back with the Dege Peak spur.  We took our time at Sunrise Visitor Center to have pre packed breakfast and coffee, and also sat at Dege Peak for almost 90 minutes watching the sun rise. Without all these stops it would likely take about 2 - 3 or so hours total we estimate. 

When we left the Sunrise Point parking lot and made our way down to the Sunrise entrance about 11:30am, we counted 97 cars in line to get into the entrance!  And more cars turning in off of Rt 410.  Recommendation - arrive early early early or don’t even try after 10am on a beautiful sunny Saturday.  We wonder if those cars were even allowed entry - there just isn’t enough parking at the top.  

So glad we did this hike - its worth it any time of day, but especially happy to have finally gotten in the sunrise hike.  This hike delivered! 

You get what you get when you head to the mountain on a massive holiday weekend. I got to the trailhead at 5 a.m. with a whole lot of other people. The lot was over half-filled. Once on the initial path to everywhere, a gentleman stopped me to ask where a good spot to see the mountain was because he was going to propose. I turned and pointed to the moon-lit mountain and said, "There's the mountain right there. This is a good place." Big hopeful thoughts for them. I soon took a right off the main trail and headed up to Dege Peak. Despite the incredibly well-groomed trail, there were a lot of broken wildflowers strewn about all the way to the peak. My best guess is people not wanting to single file so they can talk. I had the peak for a good 5-10 minutes to myself before people started filing up to the smallish area. One young man was so excited by his picture of the mountain he appeared right next to me like he jumped there and showed me the picture on his phone. Two minutes later he got out his drone. Two seconds after it started buzzying I told him drones were not allowed in National Parks. He reluctantly and unhappily packed it away (but it seemed like he was just waiting for me to head down). On my way back, a huge party of people with lights sitting on a rock blinking red and blue like those police security lights in grocery store parking lots were standing around laughing and having a good ol' time. I was still debating whether I'd hit another trail when a girl stomped through the wildflowers, picked up a large rock, and was about to throw it over the edge. I pulled out my never-rusty mom/teacher voice when someone is about to get hurt, and told her no. Just no. It was decided. I was going to have a nice relaxing day at home and let everyone have at it on the mountain. A ranger was headed up that way when I was on my way out. The enthusiasm of the young man with his mountain picture on his phone I feel is at the heart of many of the people who go to the mountain but lose sight of or never realize the gift it is to be there. We are not the gift. The land and life that live there are. It's not gracious to trash it, shout at it, or dismiss it.

I headed out this morning knowing that it would more than likely be raining.  Went up to see if I could catch somewhat of a sunrise anyway.

Even though Mt Rainier was going in and out of clouds early, it was a great hike.

Today's hike reminded me of the microclimates of MRNP.  It was pouring rain and 45 degrees at the parking lot.  Dry but foggy at Dege Peak and 38 degrees.

Heard my first bugling elk of the year.  Seems a little early for rut season.  Everything seems to be moved up by a month this year. Including wildlife getting ready for winter.

Fall colors are coming in nicely.  The moisture is helping brighten all of the colors. Both green and red.  Some pasqueflower seedheads and asters are still hanging on.

The trail is no longer dry and dusty with all of the moisture recently.