Burroughs Trail
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Mount Rainier National Park is home to Washington’s tallest peak, the 14,410 foot Mount Rainier, a glacier-covered volcano that dominates the skyline. On the way in, we spotted three elk wandering through a neighborhood, a pretty great welcome to the area. We also lucked into a first-come, first-served site at Silver Springs Campground inside the park, which meant we could roll straight to the trailhead in the morning.
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For our first adventure, we took on the Burroughs Trail starting at the Sunrise visitor center. It is a 10 mile hike with about 2,500 feet of elevation gain. When we arrived at the trailhead, Rainier came in and out of the clouds, teasing us with glimpses of its massive, glacier-draped slopes. Early into the hike, a pika popped out for a quick hello before disappearing into the rocks.
Near Frozen Lake, I spotted a herd of mountain goats near the top of Mount Fremont and could not resist detouring and climbing up for a closer look. Just as I reached them, they decided to descend, so we all headed back down together.
After enjoying the herd, we got back on track and climbed toward Burroughs 1. From the start, we were completely wrapped in clouds. At Burroughs 2, the sky finally opened up and Rainier stood front and center, still wearing a few wisps of cloud. We lingered over lunch before tackling the final climb to Burroughs 3, where we stood almost face-to-face with the glaciers.
On the loop back, we passed through wildflower meadows bursting with color, a perfect finale to an epic first day in the park.
Near Frozen Lake, I spotted a herd of mountain goats near the top of Mount Fremont and could not resist detouring and climbing up for a closer look. Just as I reached them, they decided to descend, so we all headed back down together.
After enjoying the herd, we got back on track and climbed toward Burroughs 1. From the start, we were completely wrapped in clouds. At Burroughs 2, the sky finally opened up and Rainier stood front and center, still wearing a few wisps of cloud. We lingered over lunch before tackling the final climb to Burroughs 3, where we stood almost face-to-face with the glaciers.
On the loop back, we passed through wildflower meadows bursting with color, a perfect finale to an epic first day in the park.