Rainier Hiking: Fremont Lookout

I'm back to share my second July weekend... 

Joe and I have had Rainier on our hiking to do list 
and the forecast for the 13th was looking pretty perfect.  
I have snowshoed from Paradise but this was my first time 
hiking Rainier in the summer and my first time at the Sunrise area. 
I was amazed at the views as soon as we hit the parking lot 
and they only got better... 

We intended to hike to Burroughs Mountain but as soon as 

we got out of the car the ranger asked where we were headed 

and strongly recommended against it as we didn't have ice axes. 

Apparently just having an ice axe means you can handle anything... 

We were stubborn and decided to see how far we could get. 

Turns out the sheet of icy snow on a steep slope (see above) 

with nothing but sharp rocks below was a little much. 

Everyone ahead of us had turned back 

and we decided to play it safe and join them. 

So we headed out to Fremont Lookout instead. 

The hike was pretty easy and there were views the entire time. 
The wildflowers were going crazy - tons of lupine, paintbrush, 
western anemone, glacier lily, and carpets of phlox. 
We were glad we started early because by the time 
we turned around the trail was packed. There was also 
an incredibly long line just to get into the park as we were leaving. 

We will definitely be heading back to rainier to hike Burroughs and 
hopefully to hike some trails from Paradise as well. 
I feel so lucky to live close to such amazing places.