On Thursday, August 3, 2023, I started my first full day in Mount Rainier National Park with a sunrise hike to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout via the Sourdough Ridge Trail. Afterward, I visited Sunrise Point Overlook, hiked the Naches Peak Loop Trail, and ended the day with dinner at Rainier BaseCamp Bar & Grill.
Sourdough Ridge Trail to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout
The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park, offering panoramic views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, and even the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. The hike is about 5.6 miles round trip with 900 feet of elevation gain, making it a moderately challenging hike with incredible scenery.
The trail begins near the Sunrise Visitor Center and follows Sourdough Ridge through alpine meadows before reaching the junction near Frozen Lake. From there, the landscape transitions from grassy meadows to rocky, exposed terrain as the trail continues toward Mount Fremont Fire Lookout. Along the way, hikers are treated to sweeping mountain views, with opportunities to spot wildlife, including marmots and mountain goats.
The historic Mount Fremont Fire Lookout was built in 1934 and sits at approximately 7,181 feet above sea level. It is one of four remaining fire lookouts in Mount Rainier National Park and was historically used to monitor the surrounding forests for signs of wildfires.
The views from the lookout are particularly beautiful at sunrise, which is why I wanted to arrive early enough to see Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains illuminated by the morning light. For anyone planning a sunrise hike, be sure to bring a headlamp and warm layers, as much of the trail is exposed and temperatures can be quite chilly before the sun comes up.
Sunrise Point Overlook
After finishing my hike to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout, I drove to Sunrise Point Overlook to take a few photos.
Located along Sunrise Road at an elevation of 6,120 feet, Sunrise Point offers nearly 360-degree views of Mount Rainier, the White River Valley, and the surrounding Cascade Range. On clear days, visitors can also see Mount Adams to the south and Mount Baker to the north.
One of the nice things about Sunrise Point is that it's a roadside overlook, so you can enjoy the views without having to hike. The overlook also has some interesting history. Sunrise Road opened to the public in 1931, and its stone walls were designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made additional improvements to the road and overlook.
I got there around 9:00am and stayed for about 20 minutes getting photos.
Naches Peak Loop Trail
Next, I headed to the Naches Peak Loop Trail, one of the most popular and scenic hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. The trail is approximately 3.4 miles round trip with 500 feet of elevation gain, making it a relatively easy, family-friendly hike with beautiful mountain scenery.
Located near Tipsoo Lake and Chinook Pass along State Route 410, the trail loops around Naches Peak, following a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way, hikers are treated to beautiful alpine meadows, wildflowers during the summer months, mountain lakes, and sweeping views of Mount Rainier. Hiking the loop clockwise is generally recommended for the best views of the mountain.
I started hiking around 12:30pm and spent about 2.5 hours exploring the trail.
Dinner at Rainier BaseCamp Bar & Grill
I left the Naches Peak Loop Trail around 3:00pm and drove back to my hotel to shower and freshen up. After starting before sunrise and hiking 11.4 miles throughout the day, I felt pretty accomplished with everything I had seen and done. I was definitely ready for some good food and relaxation!
After freshening up, I headed to Rainier BaseCamp Bar & Grill for dinner, just a two-minute drive from my hotel. The restaurant serves elevated pub fare and offers outdoor fire pits during the summer and heated tents during the off-season. It was a great way to end my first full day of hiking at Mount Rainier National Park.
I left around 6:00pm and headed back to the hotel to relax for the rest of the evening before another long day of hiking.
