Since this lake is such a vital source of drinking water, you won't be able to hike right to the shore. But you'll still be able to reach picturesque views from above.

The popular hike to reach the lake follows the well-developed Sourdough Ridge Trail. Sourdough Ridge begins directly from the Sunrise Visitor Center, quickly gaining the ridge and then following a well-developed benchcut trail across the mountainside.

Since this trail sees so much traffic, the national park has developed it into a wide, well-reinforced trail tread. Even so, the setting is absolutely spectacular, and you'll enjoy stunning views throughout the entirety of the hike. Mount Rainier itself looms above, providing an impressive background during the entire hike.

Once you've finished enjoying the views of the lake, the best route back is to simply return the same way you came. While there are a few other trails that will get you back to Sunrise, Sourdough Ridge is truly one of the most glorious trails in the park, and getting to enjoy a different set of vistas while hiking in the opposite direction is a fantastic choice.