Sunrise at Mount Rainier

Sunrise is the other great face of Mount Rainier. Perched at roughly 6,400 feet on the northeast side, it is the highest point in the park that you can reach by car, and the setting is more open and alpine than Paradise. From the visitor area you look straight across to the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier by area in the contiguous United States, tumbling off the summit in a broad white river. Behind you the ridges roll toward Mount Baker and the North Cascades on a clear day. The drive is part of the trip. After leaving Highway 410 the road climbs through forest, passes Sunrise Point and Sunrise Lake views, and finishes at a big parking area with a visitor center, a snack bar and restrooms. From there a web of trails leads into open terrain: short walks to viewpoints, the longer Sourdough Ridge, Emmons Vista and Burroughs Mountain routes, and connections to the Wonderland Trail. Because it is so exposed, Sunrise feels bigger and windier than Paradise, and it can be cool even on a hot Seattle day.

Sunrise is a seasonal destination. The road typically opens in early summer once the snow is cleared and closes again in autumn, so you cannot count on a visit outside the main season. Even in July the upper trails can hold snow, so wear shoes with grip. Check the park status page for the opening date and for any entry rules, since the Sunrise corridor has been among the places where the park has tested timed-entry reservations in some recent summers.

Give yourself at least half a day. The drive from the Nisqually side is long, so most visitors approach from Enumclaw along Highway 410, which is also the route used by tours that visit Sunrise. Plan to be on the road from the highway by mid-morning at the latest, and bring food because the snack bar is limited. A walk to Sourdough Ridge Trail viewpoint takes under an hour and rewards you with a sweeping look at the mountain and the valleys, while Burroughs Mountain is a classic bigger effort for strong hikers.

Wildlife is part of the draw. Mountain goats, marmots and pikas are regularly seen on the open slopes, and black bears roam the meadows in summer. Keep your distance, never feed animals and store food properly. Skies are often clearest in the morning, so an early start gives the best chance of a cloud-free view before the afternoon haze builds.

Pair Sunrise with a stop at Tipsoo Lake and Chinook Pass on the way in or out, or with a tour that visits both Sunrise and Paradise in one day. If you only have time for one corner of the park and the road is open, Sunrise is the choice for sweeping alpine views and fewer buildings, while Paradise is the choice for flowers, facilities and convenience.

Cell service is poor at Sunrise, so download maps and tell someone your plan before heading to the longer trails. The air is thinner and the sun stronger than in Seattle, so drink water often, wear a hat and consider arriving with a full tank and a charged phone. Rangers at the visitor center can advise on snow and trail conditions, which change every week early in the season.