Today I biked up from White River to Sunrise. Was planning to hike the Palisades Lake trail, but not just yet for me: about a quarter mile in, along the switchbacks down from Sunrise Point toward Sunrise Lake, the trail was still covered by deep and steep snow banks that were beyond my comfort zone to cross.
So I continued on the bike up to Sunrise proper, and hiked to Fremont Lookout instead. I went out along the Sourdough Rim trail, which is almost completely melted. Snow got deep just before Frozen Lake, and would have been tricky to navigate if I hadn't known the area well - no established path to follow and far from obvious which way to go.
It had snowed overnight, maybe a half inch, which had blown into drifts in sheltered spots but entirely blown off the patches that had deeper compacted old snow. This produced weird conditions: soft snow with great traction in some places, old hard snow that benefited from spikes in others.
The trail to Fremont has some snow patches but I think all just from last night. They were soft, not challenging, and will be gone soon.
It was a treat to be up there almost alone! I met only one other group the whole day.
Coming back, I headed down the Wonderland past Sunrise Camp. This has the usual early season snowfield to descend, but conditions were fine as long as you know which way to go. Melt seems 1-2 weeks ahead of last year in this area.
Early flowers are out already in the melted spots.
Comments
slo go on Fremont Lookout, Palisades Lakes
Georg and I have 3 of our favorite hikes we do about the first week in Oct. Freemont, Glacier Basin Loop(White River CG to Burroughs and down to Glacier Basin Trail and Dege. White River is open and the road to Sunrise closed. We are completely alone on 2nd Burroughs, lookout and Dege.
Even with all the crowds, solitude is possible. Creativity along with hike early and long are the key. Biking on the road to Sunrise must have been a special treat with no cars to annoy you.
Posted by:
slo go on Jun 23, 2025 08:24 AM
DRDana on Fremont Lookout, Palisades Lakes
Since you were able to bike all the way up, does that mean Sunrise Road is clear of snow? I can't imagine being able to bike up myself, but I'm sure looking forward to when they open the road for cars.
Posted by:
DRDana on Jun 23, 2025 05:54 PM