Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [281]
Burroughs Mountain Trail
6 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Branches off Sunrise Rim Trail (described below).
If you can't handle the snow, you might not want to take this trail. This is ice-ax territory, sometimes until early August, so come prepared. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail, which begins on the south side of the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot, to Shadow Lake and Sunrise Campground, and to a sharp upturn toward the First Burroughs Peak at 7,000 feet. Beyond this point, you're in a delicate tundra climate, one of the few in the Lower 48. It's possible to take the Frozen Lake Trail at First Burroughs and make a loop back to Sunrise, if you don't feel like climbing anymore. However, should you decide to head up the remaining 400 vertical feet, you'll be treated to fantastic views of Mount Rainier and the Emmons and Winthrop glaciers. Total elevation gain is 1,200 feet.
Glacier Basin Trail
7 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Past White River Entrance, in upper area of White River Campground.
Watch for rusting machinery on this journey through a part of the park that wasn't always so protected. You'll see remnants of a mining operation from the late 1800s in this glacial valley. Follow an old road up past the headwaters of the White River. After 1 mile, veer to the left for beautiful views of the Emmons Glacier. Beyond the junction of the trail with the Burroughs Mountain Trail, you'll arrive at Glacier Basin Camp. Look for climbers making the ascent to the summit here, along a secondary route. Elevation gain is 1,700 feet.
Mount Fremont Trail
5.5 miles RT. Moderate. Access: North end of Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot. From the trailhead, you climb for about
.3 mile along this popular trail through the surrounding meadows, then follow Sourdough Ridge to the left toward Frozen Lake. At the end of the lake, take the fork to the right for the easy 1.3-mile hike to the Fremont Lookout, from where you can get excellent glimpses of the surrounding Cascades. On a clear day you might even be able to see Seattle. Elevation gain is 900 feet.
Naches Peak Trail
3.5 miles RT. Easy. Access: Pacific Crest Trailhead, near Tipsoo Lake. Follow trail to junction with Naches Peak Loop Trail.
This is a popular hike, with stunning views from the top of Naches Peak of the meadows and lakes stretching toward Rainier's icy summit. From the Pacific Crest trailhead (see the intro to the "Hikes" section, above), head south, traversing the east side of the Naches Peak. There's the junction with the loop that can be taken back to Tipsoo Lake, or continue ahead .5 mile to Dewey Lake, where there are good campsites. Elevation gain is 500 feet. A wheelchair-accessible path is at Tipsoo Lake, near the Pacific Crest trailhead junction.
Palisades Lake Trail
7 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Sunrise Visitor Center.
This is a pretty popular trail, so don't expect to get away from other hikers. However, if you're out for a fairly invigorating stroll through forest and meadowlands, this is a good one. It includes small rises and falls in elevation as you wander past small alpine lakes towards a rock outcropping called, appropriately enough, the Palisades. There are also good wilderness campsites a little farther on, at Dick's Lake and Upper Palisades Lake, though they tend to be crowded in the summertime.
Sourdough Ridge Nature Trail
1 mile RT. Easy. Access: Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot.
This loop provides you with a brief glimpse of what's on the longer Sourdough Ridge Trail (described