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Burroughs Mountain

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (17)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …Southwest Washington
  4. …Mount Rainier National Park
  5. Sunrise
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“The mountain views from any point on this hike are superb and Burroughs offers some of the very best. ”

Brian Smith
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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.8

KM

Out and Back

7,345' 2,239 m

High

6,200' 1,890 m

Low

1,387' 423 m

Up

1,389' 423 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs No Dogs

Check current trail conditions before starting your hike! Early season conditions on this trail may be hazardous due to steep snow-covered slopes. Please travel only on the constructed trails and help minimize impact on this delicate environment.

Permits are required for camping. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails. Treat water before drinking.

Overview

Splendid vistas and a manageable distance make this an accessible and memorable experience.

Description

The trailhead is located on the south side of the Sunrise parking area. Take the Sunrise Rim trail south and then west (right) from the parking lot, soaking in the stupendous views as you go. At a junction with Wonderland Trail, keep right to follow Wonderland to the west.

Wonderland Trail then turns southward and passes Shadow Lake on a level grade. Just past the lake, look for a junction with Burroughs Mountain Trail and keep left to take it. Burroughs Mountain Trail climbs sharply to an overlook on the White River and Emmons Glacier. Beyond the overlook, the route continues up and onto the wide, flat plateau of First Burroughs Mountain, reaching a junction with the North Burroughs Mountain trail to Frozen Lake in 1.5 miles.

From that junction, follow the trail to the west for roughly 0.7 miles to the summit of Burroughs Mountain. The mountain views from any point on this trail are superb and Burroughs Mountain offers possibly the finest, most assessable tundra in the Cascades.

Although there is no camp on Burroughs Mountain, Sunrise Camp lies along the way, approximately one mile from the parking area. It is popular with families who wish to travel only a short distance before making camp.

Flora & Fauna

Lush meadows, part of the subalpine parkland, ring Mount Rainier at elevations from 5,000 feet to about 7,000 feet (approx. 1500-2100 meters). The meadows are a favorite spectacle for park visitors, who flock to the mountain to see the elaborate wildflower displays blooming in the meadows. The subalpine meadows can be cloaked in snow well into the month of June if not later, driving the wildflowers to bloom aggressively in order to take advantage of the short growing season. The short season also affects the type of plant communities found in the meadows.

History & Background

The peak on Mount Rainier's northeast slope honors naturalist and essayist John Burroughs.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Mount Rainier National Park

Shared By:

Brian Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 17 votes

#3

in Sunrise

#696

Overall
  4.6 from 17 votes
5 Star
71%
4 Star
24%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Sunrise

#54

in Washington

#696

Overall
4 Views Last Month
1,867 Since Feb 26, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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22%
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Photos

Subalpine lake: Shadow Lake
Feb 26, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
This mountain's scale in incomprehensible...
Feb 26, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Deciding whether to continue to 3rd Burroughs
Sep 23, 2018 near Greenwater, WA
This was taken from the end of the Burroughs Trails which start at the Sunrise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park.
Oct 7, 2016 near Eatonville, WA
Through the trail near Sunrise
Feb 26, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Making my way around Mt. Rainier via the Burroughs Mountain Trail.
Jan 25, 2018 near Eatonville, WA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Jul 16, 2023
Tim L
Great hike, not that hard. Just steady incline. Great Rainier views.
Jul 30, 2021
Adamson Bryant
with Dad 10mi
Jul 24, 2021
Hills Chill
Jul 18, 2021
Sungyeal Kim
6.7mi
Jul 17, 2021
Chris Winikor
Great hike, very exposed after the first 1.5 miles. This trail only covers the first two Burroughs. A tough addon but the 3rd burrough is worth it
Sep 20, 2020
Sungyeal Kim
6.7mi
Sep 18, 2020
Sungyeal Kim
6.7mi
Sep 6, 2020
Abby Hric

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