Sourdough Ridge Trail view of Mount Rainier & Milky Way

@rossschram

Washington

•

Ashford

Perfect for any type of visitor, you can explore some of the best scenery the PNW has to offer through your car window, or after a 10+ mile hike along this trail. The views of Mt Rainier never get old and the unique volcanic mountain takes on completely different forms from several vantage points throughout the park. And as the crown jewel of Washington, Mt Rainier is even more majestic under the luminescent glow of the Milk Way.

Plan

Overview

Skill level

Easy

Accessbility

Public Location

Hours

Anytime

Fee

$30 entrance fee per vehicle

Pack

Wide-angle lens (24mm)
Sturdy Tripod
Warm clothing (it can drop close to freezing, even during summer nights)
Water
Snacks
Headlamp (with red light option)
Hiking chair

How to get there

N46° 55' 02.5068"W121° 38' 39.1956"

This view of Mt Rainier and the Milky Way was taken near the Sunrise Visitor Center, which is in Mt Rainier National Park. After parking in the Sunrise Visitor Center (46.914456, -121.643470), start hiking north on the Sourdough Ridge Trailhead. You'll quickly come to a fork in the path where you'll want to go left for a couple hundred feet. From there, you'll be able to look out to your left toward Mt Rainier with a gorgeous field scattered with small trees. Reference the GPS coordinates to see the exact spot where I stood for this southwest-facing view.