I try to visit Mount Rainier as least once a year, typically towards the end of the summer or the beginning of the fall. This year due to increased traffic, Rainier required a timed entry for the peak weeks of the summer. I had zero desire to get a timed ticket, and I knew if I wanted to visit I would have to arrive before 0700 when a ticket was not required.
A perk of living in the same state I suppose, more flexibility.
In order to arrive by 0700, my gal pal Caitlin and I left at 0345 on Sept 2, which happened to be the last day of needing a timed entry. It also happened to be Labor Day, and we were hoping the end of the holiday weekend meant fewer people. Thankfully we were right, and overall we did not encounter too many other humans. We didn’t encounter too many non humans either.
We started our hike around 0630, and the dark sky gave the mountain a beautiful blue hue.
We chose to do a trail we had both done before, but I had not done this hike since 2015. The Burroughs Mountain Trail was my very first hike at Mount Rainier, and how fitting that in 2015 I did it on a holiday as well. This time we did the looped trail which took us along the opposite side we came up providing different views I hadn’t seen before.
The hike up starts moderate, but begins to climb as you head towards Second Burroughs. A lot of people choose to stop here because the view is stunning no matter how far you go. We sat here just long enough to refuel our stomachs and enjoy the view, but our plan was to continue on towards Third Burroughs. If you have enough gas in the tank when doing this trail, continuing on is a must.
We encountered a few other hikers, one of which we played leap frog with to Second Burroughs, but overall it was a quiet hike. This is one of the many perks of starting before the sun is fully awake. We made it to Third Burroughs and momentarily had the entire area to ourselves. The climb up is a bit steeper than the climb to Second Burroughs, but the views are significantly more magnificent.
The view from Third Burroughs feels like you’re sitting right on top of the mountain. Being this close gives me a false sense of distance, and it seems like the summit isn’t all that far away. In reality I would probably cry attempting to summit Mount Rainier. I do not like snowy crevasses. Or heights. Or snow covered heights.
Basically what I’m saying is that I’m a wimp, and I wear it with pride.
We sat at Third Burroughs for a while to refuel again, and if you clicked the above link to see my first visit to this trail you will see I ate a Larabar on that adventure (you will also see poor photo quality and me with a bob haircut vs a pixie cut.) I seem to have started a tradition of taking photos with my Larabars in beautiful locations, and this trip was no different.
Food just tastes better when you are in nature looking at epic mountains.
After enjoying the view we made our way back towards the trail before splitting off onto the loop. From here the trail became lush and green, and the day grew much warmer than either of us anticipated. We are officially in the season of constantly changing temps throughout the day.
This took us 5 hours and 36 minutes including our breaks at each Burrough, putting us back at my car around noon. We clocked in at 9.47 miles, and the last mile I was powered exclusively by visions of vanilla ice cream. One of my favorite reasons to go to Rainier is the ice cream spot we stop at after we are done. This local shop has amazing ice cream, and I look forward to it the day before we leave.
I brought some butter toffee cashews from Costco to go on my ice cream, and I made the right choice.
I’m not sure if I will make the trek to Rainier again this season, but maybe I can drag Duncan just for another excuse to get this ice cream. He too is motivated by treats, and there are so many trails to explore. I used to drive three hours to Portland and back in one day just to eat, so I don’t see how this is any different.
Just one week after this adventure Caitlin and I packed up her CRV and took a road trip to Banff, AB. We arrived home this past Saturday, and I cannot wait to share the photos and stories from our short week hiking in the Canadian Rockies. It feels so good to have a pal to road trip with for an exhausting yet exhilarating adventure of non stop hiking.
Q: Would you rather fight for a timed slot, or arrive before the sun to avoid the crowds?
Blissfulbritt 
29 thoughts on “Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail”
Diana
100% I would rather arrive early and avoid the crowds. Especially on a trail like this! Absolutely gorgeous! I really need to get back to Rainier, it’s been too long.
Brittany
I love that people are getting outside more, but I don’t love being swarmed by people. Early is a must for meeee too. This is your sign to go visit Rainier again!
Looking for the Light
Always arrive early! Photos are breathtaking.
Brittany
Early bird catches the parking spot!
Rootchopper
Boo to crowds!
Looks like another awesome trek.
How lucky you are to have a hiking buddy.
Brittany
I agree! She’s been such a blessing.
Stephen Tuck
What absolutely stunning photos! The weather here is going from winter to spring; I’m hoping to make this a spring/summer of trail running in the hills around Mansfield!
Brittany
That sounds like a wonderful plan! I’m too fearful of trail running here, too many cougar sightings for my liking. 😅
Stephen Tuck
Not having predatory animals down here is a blessing, for sure. In summer there’s always the risk of stepping on a snake (I’ve managed some amazingly balletic movements in order to avoid them at the last minute!). But, antivenin can be had for just about all of them, and every school-child is taught what to do if bitten. You just have to be in an area with mobile phone coverage!!
Brittany
Amazing the kids are taught and there seems to be a solid plan in place for the snakes. I’d trade shakes for cougars and bears any day!
C.A. Post
BEFORE the crowds‼️🤠
Definitely!
Brittany
Agreed!!!
Duncan
Amazing photos!
What an increased sense of FOMO I have reading this, I’m bummed I couldn’t tag along this time, but I will be there for the next one! I remember when we tried to get to the sunrise side of the park, and achieved very much different results.
As for beating the crowds, my brain says yes, my body says sleep in, and hope I get lucky.
xoxo
Brittany
Our experience trying to visit Sunrise is why I will never arrive at Mount Rainier after 8am again. What a nightmare.
No sleeping in for you with Rainier!
xOxO
Roy McCarthy
Awesome photos Britt. I’m of a similar mind that, if I want wildness, I pretty much hate anyone else I encounter 🙂 Can’t imagine booking a time slot to visit natural beauties.
Brittany
Something about booking a time slot takes away some of the beauty in the place. I don’t want to be bombarded by people, and thankfully early arrivals usually do the trick!
scaredycatink
Thanks for liking my post. When I came here to view yours I was astounded by how much better it looks than mine. I am an infant with technology. Must do some tutorials to get a nicer look! Ugh.
Brittany
Oh my gosh that is TOO nice. I don’t think mine is better by any means, just different! I played around with a handful of layouts until I found one that felt right.
I was an infant too, and honestly still feel that way, but I just experimented a bit with how things looked and moved around what made sense. I will definitely Google layout questions I have and the internet is usually fairly helpful.
Thank you for stopping by!
Belladonna
Love the photos!
Brittany
Thank you!
Belladonna
You’re welcome!
stewedpears.com
Thank you for liking my posts. Stunning views here. How lucky you are! I particularly like the photos from Third Burroughs that looks as if you could reach out and touch the other peak. I also very much like the idea of tossing salted/sugared?? cashews on ice cream 🙂
Brittany
SUGARED cashews!! They are FANTASTIC on the ice cream. Salted would have been good too, that’s a good idea!!
gpavants
Brittney,
Beat the crowds because it’s getting too busy out there. Zion is doing this with the narrows. I get it. Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
I get it too. It has to be done at times. And going early always helps.
Allie Zottola
Wow, crazy about the crowds and timed tickets! You are smart to go early, even if it means waking up at 3:00 am! I love your passion for hiking and just being outside!
And these photos. SO GORGEOUS!
Brittany
Thanks friend! This mountain is just so epic no matter what trail you take to see it. Makes sense why it’s so busy these days.
Pree
I know anytime I have to wake up early to do anything, it feels horrendous in the moment but after it’s over, I’m so glad it’s done. So I think in hindsight going out before the sun rises to beat the crowds is the best option, but lately I’ve been craving sleep and sleeping in so I’ve been willing to sacrifice the perks of getting things done in the early morning
Brittany
Honestly I have been sleeping in way more this year. I’ll still get up early for this stuff, but it’s much harder. Getting up early for work though…☠️