Burroughs Mountain Trail: Everything You Need to Know
Burroughs Mountain Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Mount Rainier National Park! Although Mount Rainier National Park has many fun trails, this trail was one of my favorites.
If you want to hike a challenging trail with breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, Burroughs Mountain Trail is perfect. We were in awe of the views on the entire hike, so I know you will not be disappointed.
Although Burroughs Mountain Trail is one of the most beautiful trails, it is not easy and will make you work for the views. If you want to hike it when you visit Mount Rainier National Park, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know to hike Burroughs Mountain Trail!
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Burroughs Mountain Trail Overview
Burroughs Mountain Trail Length and Difficulty
The Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail is about 9.5 miles with 2,600 feet of elevation. Because of the length and elevation gain, the trail is strenuous. It is steep and exposed, but it has a few flat sections in between, perfect to give your legs a break.
Burroughs Mountain Trail goes over three mountains: First, Second, and Third Burroughs, each offering breathtaking views. If you do not want to hike the entire loop, you can hike to either First Burrough (4.7 miles round trip) or Second Burroughs (7 miles round trip). Both offer incredible views, so you will not be disappointed!
Burroughs Mountain Trail Parking
The trailhead for Burroughs Mountain Trail is near the Sunrise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park. This area in the national park has many trails starting at the same spot. There is a large parking lot near the visitor center, where you can park and start your journey on the Burroughs Mountain Trail. We will get into the exact hiking trails you need to take in more detail below.
Note: Mount Rainier National Park now has a timed entry reservation system for entering the park between 7 AM to 3 PM during May through September for Paradise and July through September for Sunrise. You should get these as far in advance as possible since Mount Rainier National Park is a busy park. If you do not have a permit, you can still enter the park before 7 AM and after 3 PM.
Is Burroughs Mountain Trail Dog Friendly?
No, dogs are not allowed on trails in Mount Rainier National Park.
Best Time to Hike Burroughs Mountain Trail
The best times to hike the Burroughs Mountain Trail are summer and fall. The weather in summer and fall is beautiful, offering great hiking conditions. But, in the early summer, snow may linger on the trails.
Although winter in Mount Rainier National Park is beautiful, many roads and areas are closed. The National Park Service has a great resource about how to visit Mount Rainier National Park in the winter.
What to Pack for the Hike
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Where to Stay Near Burroughs Mountain Trail
Since Burroughs Mountain Trail is in the Sunrise section of Mount Rainier National Park, I recommend staying on the east side of the national park. A few towns near Mount Rainier National Park near the park have accommodations, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations.
If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Mount Rainier National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans.
Hotels:
Campgrounds
Burroughs Mountain Trail Guide
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly. Also, stay on designated trails. This area has fragile vegetation.
The most popular way to hike Burroughs Mountain Trail is as a loop, although you can hike it as an out-and-back. Both options are about 9.5 miles round trip and have 2,600 feet of elevation.
The hike to Burroughs Mountain begins near the Sunrise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park, and you can hike the loop in either direction. We followed it counterclockwise, but you can hike it clockwise to avoid the crowds on your ascent. Both options are great, and I will go into detail about the route we hiked.
If you hike it counterclockwise like we did, it starts on the Sourdough Ridge Trail. The crowds are heavy here because many hikes begin on this trail. Many trails intersect with the Sourdough Ridge Trail, so it is crucial to pack a trail map and pay attention to the trail signs.
After about 1.5 miles, the trail passes Frozen Lake and the Burroughs Mountain Trail junction. The rest of the hike to the three Burroughs is along the Burroughs Mountain Trail, which is well-maintained and easy to follow. The views of Mount Rainier along this trail are breathtaking!
This portion of the Burroughs Mountain Trail has a few steep sections that will get your legs burning. But the views help distract you from it! And soon enough, the trail leads you to the ridge, where you have unmatched views of Mount Rainier.
The First Burroughs is the first mountain the trail passes over, and we did not even realize we passed over it! We were distracted by the views and focused on where we were hiking. After walking along the ridge, the trail passes over the Second Burroughs.
The Second Burroughs has some of the best views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains! It makes the effort worth it. It is a great place to stop for a break and decide if you will continue to the Third Burroughs. Many hikers turn around after Second Burroughs because it saves about 1,000 feet of elevation if you do not continue to Third Burroughs. But it is a beautiful hike and worth the extra effort if you are up for it! Also, Second Burroughs had some brave chipmunks that were going into hiking backpacks to get food. Make sure to keep an eye on them!
The final 1.5 miles to Third Burroughs is strenuous! You gain about 1,000 feet of elevation over two sections, making you work for the views. This section was the most challenging on the Burroughs Mountain Trail, so if you want to save yourself from this part, you can turn around after Second Burroughs.
But if you make it to Third Burroughs, you will not be disappointed! The up-close views of Mount Rainier are stunning, and it is cool to feel as if you could reach out and touch the mountain. (You cannot actually touch it, but you get what I am saying!)
The hike back is straightforward, continuing over the Second Burroughs to the loop trail junction. At the trail junction, the loop continues right to begin the descent on Burroughs Mountain Trail. I recommend looking behind you as you hike down because the views of Mount Rainier are beautiful on this portion of the loop.
Soon enough, Burroughs Mountain Trail passes Glacier Overlook, providing beautiful views of Mount Rainier before turning onto the Wonderland Trail. Eventually, you turn off the Wonderland Trail onto the Sunrise Rim Trail and follow it back to the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot.
As mentioned earlier, you can easily hike the Burroughs Mountain Trail as an out-and-back, although it does not save you much mileage or elevation gain. The loop is also a great way to explore more of the area.
If you want to hike the Burroughs Mountain Trail, this guide is the perfect place to start. It has everything you need to know to hike to the Burroughs in Mount Rainier National Park!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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