3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier was an idea that Dan and I had put together as the perfect late season camping trip. With the Sunrise road still closed we would drive to the White River Camp ground and hike up. The plan was to camp just below the summit of the 3rd Burroughs and the next morning we would ski into Glacier Basin and climb the Interglacier. It would be a long trip linking up the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier but it would have stunning views.

Heading up the Sunrise trail for a Camping and skiing trip of the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier

It was going to be a long day as we parked at the White River Campground. We packed our bags for the 3,000 foot climb and started making our way up the Sunrise summer trail. Once on the high plateau we turned west and started heading for the Burroughs. On the 1st Burroughs stayed on the trail hiking the additional 4 miles all the way out to the 3rd Burroughs. Arriving at our destination there we checked out our potential ski line and made camp for the night.

For the next few hours we took in the views anticipating the sunset. We had a stunning view of the west side of the park towards Mowich Lake. From our vantage point we had a perfect view of the Withrop Glacier area, The Mystic Lakes area and in the far distance Echo and Observation Rocks.

Sunset From the 3rd Burroughs

As the sun started to drop we watched the Winthrop Glacier are light up. We were on the perfect spot with over a 4,000 foot on the west side to a river of ice.

We had picked the perfect spot for the light show enjoying the last warm rays of the sun. Before long the sun would drop under the horizon and the temperature would start dropping.

The further down the sun went the more the Puget Sound came into view. We kept looking towards Old Desolate wonder what the skiing would be like in that direction.

As the sun dropped under the horizon we watched the last bit of the light show. Our vantage point was perfect in every direction. To the north we had a clean view of Skyscraper Mountain and Grand Park.

Day 2 Attempt at Riding the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier

The next morning we woke up an hour before sunrise. Being where we were we didn’t want to miss the morning alpenglow on Mount Rainier. This was going to be a big day linking both the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier. Before long the light show started over the northeast side of the Mountain.

With the light show in full effect we took a small lap on the east side of the 3rd Burroughs before having breakfast. It was a mixture of snapping a photo and getting in some quick turns.

Riding Down the 3rd Burroughs

After an hour of eating breakfast and drinking coffee it was time to get moving. Hiking along the high ridge we finally had a small ribbon of snow that would take us into the southeast bowl of the 3rd Burroughs. Before long we were strapped in and making our first real run of the trip. From here we rode all the way down to the Glacier Basin Trail 3,000 feet below.

Hiking up the Interglacier

Making our way to the Glacier Basin trail we started hiking towards the Interglacier. It was a long and dry hike heading in but soon enough we were making steps up the Interglacier. We followed a well beaten path as it was summit season and there was good weather. In the photo below you can see most of the hike we had done the previous day. Hiking up to the right ridge being Sunrise then following the high points to just beyond the left side.

It had been a long day but we were excited as the snow seemed like it would be perfect corn.

With a solid bootpack we had made fast progress up to Steamboat prow. Soon the upper slopes of Mount Rainier came into view. It was a beautiful and windless day on the northeast side of the park.

On the top of Steamboat prow we had a perfect view of the Emmons Glacier climbing route. It was obvious as it seemed to be a highway broken in and traversing around the crevasses. It would have been a perfect day to summit but we were happy with our choice of riding the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier.

Snowboarding Down the Interglacier

Before long it was time to get moving. We strapped into our gear and started making turns down the wide open slopes. Below us was over 3,000 feet of corn turns.

Riding down we had a great view of the surrounding mountains. In this photo on the right hand side you can barely see Whitman Crest. In the middle of the photo is the Cowlitz Chimneys with Ohanapecosh in front of it. The ridge extending to the left is Tamanos Mountain and the closer ridge is Goat Island Mountain. The high peak in the far distance is Mount Aix.

Turn after turn we made our way into Glacier Basin before it was time to head out on the trail. The day had gone as smooth as possible to this point and we would just have a 5 mile hike to White River Campground.

Before long it was time to put our gear on the packs and hike out. It always is longer than you think. We were exhausted from the long day as we arrived to the car but really happy with our trip. Not only did we have a scenic camping spot but we had also rode the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier.

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