If the thunder don't get you....then the lightning will: Sunrise 07/29/13

I went up to Sunrise to start my weekend off. At 6,400 ft. Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle in Mount Rainier National Park. Here is the Visitor Center. It is a popular area, less so than Paradise but maybe second as far a people. There are a number on day hikes, as well as the Wonderland Trail, and there's a number a campsites sites available from the trail head. The Sunrise road is a little scary with lots of twists and turns but there is a 35 MPH speed limit which helps.

My first stop of the day was the Burroughs Mountain's. My initial plan was to do some hiking and then hike down to Glacier Basin camp, but when I got to White River Ranger Station they told me that that camp was closed due to bear activity. So I decided to due some day hikes here at Sunrise and the drive to Tamanos trail head and hike up the Tamanos Creek camp site. Above is Frozen Lake.

Great views of Mount Rainier from the Burroughs. I am at the first Burroughs and the second Burroughs Mountain is in the distance. It is named for naturalist and essayist John Burroughs.

Here is a marmot relaxing in the sun.

From a top the Burroughs I can see my next destination, Mount Fremont Lookout.

Mount Fremont lookout is one of four lookouts still maintained inside Mount Rainier National Park. Built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corp.

It is locked now, but I think you used to be able to go inside.

This is Sunrise Point and Tamanos and Govern's Ridge are to the left on the picture.

It a 3.5 miles up to camp with over a thousand feet of elevation gain.

Tamanos Creek, I got water here reluctantly but purified it using tablets.

This is one of the nicest primitive camps I have seen. There are four sites and one is a group site that can hold over 6 people. I had the whole place to myself this evening.