Burroughs Mountain — Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025

Last hiked 17 years ago (WTF?) in September 2008.  I remember that the view of Tahoma from Second Burroughs was spectacular, the trail to Second Burroughs was well maintained with little elevation gain and was accessible by most hikers, and had a couple Kendall Katwalk-type sections carved from the mountainside.  Also, no trees.  With the calendar turning to September and the kids (meaning your kids not mine) out of the park and back to school, I decided to revisit this trail.  And very glad I did.  This is not a "must do" MRNP hike - it's a "must do and do again" hike.

A couple take-aways...

- In 2008, I stopped at Second Burroughs.  For most people, that will be totally fine.  The views are amazing.  

- Third Burroughs adds about 3.5 miles RT to the hike, making a 6.0 mile RT (to Second Burroughs) into a 9.5 mile RT.  IMO Third Burroughs is definitely worth the extra effort although it's the most strenuous portion of the trail.  Second Burroughs is doable by most hikers; Third Burroughs is a level beyond.   And the proximity to Tahoma is also a level beyond.  Tahoma is "in your face" for most of the hike, but it's *seriously* in your face from Third Burroughs.  You could spend a few hours picking out details on the mountain.  Plus you can marvel at the Winthrop Glacier, which stretches directly below on the west side (and not visible from Second Burroughs).

- The first third of the trail can be completed as a loop.  I ignored the ranger's advice and walked counterclockwise, starting from the trailhead on the north side of the Paradise parking lot.  (The ranger - very pleasant guy - conceded that this was the most popular and "aesthetically better" route to start.  I think he was just trying to load balance the traffic on the trails.)  I returned on the southern trail, which adds a scant .2 miles (as I recall) to the day, but it offers some lovely vistas of the valley below, passes a lake, and passes through a couple meadows.

- September is definitely a great time to visit Sunrise.  There were plenty of other hikers but, as mentioned, no school kids.  (No offense.)

- Bonus on yesterday's hike:  A marmot sighting.  Near Frozen Lake Viewpoint.  It trundled across the meadow, then across the trail, then dropped out of sight toward the lake.  Busy fellow.