Glacier Basin, Inter Glacier, Steamboat Prow, Mount Ruth, White River to Sunrise, Burroughs Mountain & Shadow Lake - Sunrise Camp Loop — Tuesday, Jun. 4, 2019

Apparently I hadn't gotten enough of this area over the last few days!

When climbing Mount Ruth last week, I took a shining to Steamboat Prow and wanted to have a go at getting to the "summit" of this little outcropping. Fortunately, it lies below 10,000', so I was able to do it without a solo permit.  Having quite a bit of time to dedicate to the outing, I decided I would wander around after getting up this little summit but had no real plan of where.

Glacier Basin trail is changing daily.  It is now pretty much snow free almost two miles in and you can avoid a lot of the snow as it doesn't cover the entire trail.  The little "shortcut" you can take near the three mile distance that follows the river bed is getting tricky now with the snowbridges over the creek being out so you have to get creative if you don't want to get wet.  If you don't want to bother, just continue on the normal trail.  It is snow covered from here on out so make sure you are comfortable with navigation.

Unlike last week, the snow was firm and I made quick time up Glacier Basin and onto the Interglacier.  A weekend worth of climbers had made a nice little staircase up the glacier that made for easy cruising. I did throw my spikes on about halfway up just so I wouldn't slide around and waste energy.  Of special note here, I forgot my helmet at home and regretted it as the area was very active with rockfall. Fortunately, a good portion of the kick stepped path was out of the fall line. 

I reached the summit of Steamboat Prow about two and a half hours in and was promptly nearly knocked over by the wind.  So i dropped down off the summit, took in the sites for a few minutes then traversed over towards Ruth.  On this traverse, the snow became very firm and I was glad to have my ice axe along.  After snapping a few shots from Ruth, I looked across the valley and decided the Burroughs needed a visit!

Glissaded and plunge stepped down back to the Glacier Basin Trail and after trying to find the junction with the Sunrise Trail, I eventually gave up and just headed up.  It was long though and I found the tell tale signs of where the trail was (cut logs).  The trail is completely snow covered down low so again, navigation skills are a must.

Eventually as you climb into the trees, you get longer stretches of bare trail.  But the snow is firm so if you are use to wearing spikes, I would make sure to have them along. Eventually the trees thin out but the snow coverage remains despite the fact that the slopes are south facing.  There are a few sections in the upper basin where you must traverse steep, exposed slopes.  So if you are not comfortable with this, wait until the trail melts out.

Made my way to Second Burroughs (didn't have time for the Third).  Soaked in the views and headed down to First Burroughs. I decided here that the conditions looked more favorable if I headed on the south side of the Burroughs Trail as the north side had some cornices and very steep exposed slopes. 

While a good portion of the south side of the trail is clear on the upper portions of the mountain. There is one particularly steep traverse that is very exposed. I climbed up and over part of it and then faced in and downclimbed. Again, if you are not comfortable with steep snow, best to avoid this trail for a while.

Curling around towards Shadow Lake, the trail is completely covered in snow again as is most of this area of Sunrise.  I know this section well and made quick time to the junction with the Wonderland.  Most of the upper portion of the Wonderland is snow covered and there is one undercut section that you have to cross right below the waterfall.  At about 1,600', the snow clears out and it was easy cruising from there.

27 kilometers, 2,350 meters of gain in 7:15.