Sunrise Day Lodge

In early summer, I stayed a few days at rustic Whistlin’ Jack’s Lodge. It provides easy access to the William O. Douglas Wilderness and Mt. Rainier National Park.

On the first morning, I drove to Sunrise Day Lodge. At 6,400 feet, it’s set amid a vast and colorful wildflower meadow. To add to the pleasure, 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier and the massive Emmons Glacier provide a stunning backdrop.

There are several superb Mt. Rainier alpine hikes available from the Lodge. One of my all-time favorites is the hike to Second Burroughs Mountain. (See my post: An Alpine Hike on Mt. Rainier: Second Burroughs).

This day, there was a steady stream of hikers heading towards Frozen Lake, Second Burroughs, and other destinations west. For a change, I decided to go east.

Dege Peak

My destination was 7,006-foot Dege (pronounced Day’-Gay) Peak. The trail follows along Sourdough Ridge, rewarding hikers with unobstructed views of Mt. Rainier and 11,138-foot Little Tahoma Peak. Where else can you experience natural beauty so well?

After a couple of miles, the trail climbs steeply to the peak. The 360-degree views are spectacular. Goat Rocks, Mt. Adams, Palisades Lakes, and much more can be seen. I soaked in the scenery while enjoying a snack. After a while, I reluctantly put on the daypack and began heading back, extending the hike by taking the Sunrise Nature Trail to the Lodge.

A truly memorable hike!