The Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse was something that had been in the back of my mind for years. Looking at the Sourdough Range from Crystal Mountain I always dreamed of riding the area in powder conditions. With the White River Road closed during the winter it always seemed like a logistical nightmare. But if the stars aligned there was abundant amount of terrain that could be accessed from the Sunrise visitor center.

The plan came together as my friend Rory was looking to go on a 3 day trip and the forecast was looking good. After studying the topographical map I came up with a traverse that would allow us to ride the Sourdough Range all the way out to the Palisades then back to Sunrise. If all went wel we would spend some time in the Burroughs before making a final descent down to the Glacier Basin Trail.

Heading up the White River Road

The morning started early at Crystal Springs snowpark as my friends Rory, Ben and I made our way up to the White River via 1 sled and multiple shuttles. Our packs were filled to the brim with enough gear to comfortably camp for 3 days. With only a single sled Rory dropped me off first at the White River Campground as he made his way back to the Snowpark to pick up Ben.

Breaking Trail up to Sunrise Visitor Center

The plan was that I would start breaking the deep trail up to Sunrise and they would catch up. After breaking trail for an hour they arrived at the small crux of the climb. Beyond the small waterfall the normal summer trail but it was buried under a deep snowpack. This area was steep and instead of traversing we made a boot pack straight up. 100 feet and 10 minutes later we were on the flats just below the Visitor Center. After skinning to the buildings which were abandoned during the winter we set up camp and made our plans for the next day.

Soon enough they arrived at the small crux of the climb up to Sunrise. Beyond a small waterfall the normal summer trail was buried under a deep snowpack. This area was steep and instead of traversing we made a boot pack straight up. 100 feet and 10 minutes later we were on the flats just below the Visitor Center. After skinning to the buildings which were abandoned during the winter we set up camp and made our plans for the next day.

Our First Run on the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse

With a few hours to spare we made our way up to Antler Peak above camp. Dropping in the North side I decided we would ride down to the flats lower in the valley. The idea was that we would put in a skin track since we had to go that way the next day.

Day 2 of the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse

The next morning we woke up and started skinning around 6 A.M. Following the Sunrise road buried deep in a winter snowpack we were making our way towards Dege Peak. Occasionally we would look back as the morning alpenglow cast a bright pink light on Goat Island Mountain, Whitman Crest, Little Tahoma, Ingraham Glacier and the Emmons Glacier.

Once the terrain got a bit steeper the sun started cresting over the Cascades. It was a welcome arrival after a cold early morning start. From here on out we would be enjoying the warmth for the rest of the day.

After taking in the morning alpenglow it was time to get moving. We had a lot of ground to cover and would be breaking trail all day. Once bellow the summit of Dege Peak it was time to start climbing up.

Arriving at Dege Peak and the Entrance to the Sourdough Range

As we made it to the summit of Dege Peak and the start of the Sourdough Range. We soaked in the view of the surround area. I had dreamed of riding this line for years as it is straight across from Crystal Mountain. We were excited to see that the line was in prime conditions as we transitioned. Soon we were ready for our first run of the day.

From Ben’s first turn we knew it was in sweet conditions. It was an amazing line with view of Governers Ridge and Cayuse Pass in the distance.

Each of us had our own chute as we dropped in one at a time. There was more than enough space for each of us to track out a blank canvas. Every turn exploded in the bottomless conditions.

Making our way into the basin we regrouped and looked up at our tracks. If conditions were like this everywhere we were in for a real treat. We had rode the line I was most interested and that was just the entrance to the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse.

A Long Traverse Ahead

We decided to stay above the trees and skin up to the next high point before descending down to Clover lake. Knowing that it was going to be a long day we took advantage of drinking water from the lakes. The plan was to save as much time as possible by not having to melt down snow. After some strategic digging we found water and drank as much as our stomachs could handle.

Our next line of interest was the shoulder of Marcus Peak as we wrapped around the terrain. It would be a nice and open northeast face with a similar aspect to Dege Peak.

Making Our Way Over to the Palisades

Once on top top of the peak separating Dege and Marcus Peaks Rory dropped in first. It wasn’t the biggest line so he decided he head to the bottom and snap some photos of us riding. Like the run before it was in excellent condition.

Heading up to the ridge to Marcus Peak we had a clean view of Mount Rainier and the line we had rode the day before. Knowing we had put a skin track up the basin it would be our final skin of the day.

Looking back we towards Dege Peak we had already covered a bunch of ground. We had took advantage of the NE facing slopes making our way to this point. With one more final quick descent we would be climbing towards our main goal of the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse. The northeast couloir of the Palisades had caught my eyes on a previous trip.

Finally we were skinning up the South face of the Palisades wondering what to expect. It was a long and gradual skin working with the contours of the slope before arriving at our high point.

Snowboarding Down the Palisades North Couloir

The North bowl of the Palisades went in two steps. Above was a nice open bowl before the slope rolled over into the couloir. Once riding down the upper face we came across our line. We weren’t sure if it went so we boot packed around to get a better view.

Once spotting that the couloir went the next question was who was going to go first. We couldn’t see around the bend but I was 90% sure it was fine. Ben said he was happy to scope it out and all of a sudden he was putting first tracks down this amazing couloir.

Before long he was gone but we heard him yell up that the line was all good. That was enough for us to hear as we dropped in one at a time. Making it to the bottom we looked back up at our tracks and were happy that we went out there. The line was amazing and worth all the effort it took to get out there.

Heading Back to Camp Near Sunrise Visitor Center

After the Palisades it was time to start heading SW back towards towards our camp. We were in a race against time and had 2 ridges separating us from the previous days skin track. Before long we put our heads down and laid in a skin track happy with our second day and our progress on the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse.

Making a brisk pace we were able to cover the ground fast but it was getting dark. After climbing and descending two ridges we had finally made it to our last valley. I had hoped we wouldn’t have to use headlamps as we starting skinning up.

It was a battle with the darkness but finally we reached our old skin track from the day before. With a sigh of relief we put on the headlamps to head up and over the ridge separating us from the Sunrise area. Riding down the backside via headlamps we were back at camp and resting for our final day.

Day 3 of the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse

We woke up to another clear day wondering what to do next. We had already laid tracks in the Sourdough Range so we were looking to ride something different. Knowing the north side of the Burroughs was a great area from a previous trip we decided to head out there. We packed up all of our camping gear and soon we left the Visitor Center and we’re heading past Frozen Lake off to the lower slopes of Berkeley Park.

It was great seeing the area with such a deep snowpack as we punched in the skin track. Soon we had past Mount Fremont and were heading to the base of our line.

Once at the bottom of the 2nd Burroughs we dropped off all our overnight gear and put in a skin track we could use twice. Once arriving on the summit each one of use chose a line that peaked our interest. After putting tracks down the face it was time to skin back up and head for the 3rd Burroughs.

Heading Towards the 3rd Burroughs

As we made our way up the skin track for the second time I would occasionally look back. We had put some really nice tracks in the basin in addition to the whole area was stunning. Off in the distance I could see the front side of Mount Fremont. I had rode the bowl on the opposite side the previous winter following the ridge in the foreground.

Once we made it up to the flat top of the Burroughs we started skinning towards the 3rd. I had seen a nice gully running off the Northeast side and had always wanted to ride it. It was a stunning to see Mount Rainier from this perspective. It looked like Mount Ruth and the Interglacier would have been amazing if only we had more time.

Making it to the top of the 3rd Burroughs we were looking down towards the Winthrop Glacier. From our vantage point the mountain just seemed to drop off. The previous year I had rode the West face of the mountain but our attention this time was the Northeast gully. We knew the chute would be protected and like our previous runs and as a result would have great snow.

Snowboarding Down the 3rd Burroughs NE Face

Within a few minutes we dropped into the face to once again find great snow. Turn after turn delivered face shots as we rode into the basin. While we didn’t really have a plan for the day everything had worked out to perfection,

The Exit of the Sunrise and Sourdoughs Traverse

With one final skin we were making our way back up the 3rd Burroughs. We had one final descent before reaching our sleds at White River Campground. Once on top we rode down the southeast bowl of the 3rd Burroughs but this time it was corn. The warm sun had put the slope through a freeze and melt cycle. While it was a fun line it wasn’t the powder we had experienced the past 2 days.

Soon enough we were on the Summer trail and riding back to the sled. After a few gear shuttles we made it back to the car just before sunset. As the photos show it was an amazing trip doing the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse.

Thank you for reading this trip doing the Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse. If you want to see more ski tours within Mount Rainier Backcountry check out this link