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Sunrise Area Hikes

Sourdough Ridge Trail

Parent Category: Hiking
in Sunrise area
Created: 13 January 2014
Distance: 4 miles, RT
Hiking Time: 2 hrs
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
High Point: 7,006 ft
Best time to visit: Middle of July till September
Trailhead Pass: National Park Pass Required
GPS Coordinates: Trailhead: N 46° 54' 57.00", W 121° 38' 37.50"
Dege Peak: N 46° 55' 6.72", W 121° 36' 38.70"
Description

Sourdough Ridge Trail is a well-maintained trail along the crest of a 7,000 feet ridge and was named for the sour bread preferred by minors. This trail takes its visitors through beautiful alpine meadows with wildflower displays and offers, probably, the best views of Mount Rainier. 

The trail starts at the Sunrise Visitor’s Center that is considered to be the highest point (6400 ft) in this area that is reached by car. This place is great because it offers a great number of trails which take their beginning from the parking lot.

South Ridge Trail offers a little bit different views of the ridge, because visitors enjoy the other side of the drop off of the ridge. 

If you turn right from the trailhead, you will pass and enjoy four small peaks, the last one is called Dege Peak. Here you will find a trail, which is considered to be the easy one, which takes you to the top of Sourdough Ridge. 

Here at the elevation of 7,006 feet hikers will enjoy the stunning views of Mount Rainier. Visitors are recommended to turn around and to find the familiar places that are situated at your feet. On a clear day you may also find Mount Adams which is located to the south. From this place it seems that it is a small hill in comparison to Mount Rainier that you face. 

Mount Baker can be also identified from Sourdough Ridge, it is located north of Dege Peak. On the west above the visitor’s center there are the Burroughs Mountains and on the northeast you may see Fremont Lookout and Grand Park. 

It should be said that Sourdough Ridge is not as crowded as other nearby trails. On your way the hikers may encounter ground squirrels and high meadows deer. Be sure to watch for mountain goats and black bears that live in the northern basins along Sourdough Ridge.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://beautifulwashington.com/mount-rainier/hiking/sunrise/116-sourdough-ridge-trail.html#sigProId26c3ffd8d8

Directions:

From Seattle:

Travel I-5 south to SR 18 East to Auburn, take SR 164 to Enumclaw, then continue east on SR 410 for 37.5 miles. Turn right onto the Sunrise Road and continue for 12.7 miles to trailhead at Sunrise Point.

Map:


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Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Information: Marina Petrova

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