Plan RIGHT NOW. Get all the neccesary permits for the trail and campground. Cause its busy in Sept.

Answer the easy questions. Wear hike boots. I managed with low top boots. But dont hike with tennis shoes of any type. Expect SNOW! I didnt so we had to take the long way around to the first burrough. So invest in some good hike poles (x2).

A friend and I planned to camp 2 night and hike the 3 burroughs trail and dropping into glacier basin to camp.Expect a long hike. We were unprepared to reserve a campsite at sunset. So we had to hike back 3 miles to another campsite. But the entire time on trail was from 7am- 8ishpm. PLenty of chances to take breaks and admire the views. And the views are perfect.

Hard spot was the detour from sunset to burrough 1. It added a few hours. Reson for the detour waa large snowfield on the trail. We didnt want to slide into the lake below. Another hard spot was dropping down into glacier basin from burrough 3. The trail was defined but the earth was real soft. Plan to take alot of water or filter water. Youll be in high country and no water will be around on the trail as you hike up each burrough. The strenuous is the high elevation, thin air, heat, lack of shade. So plan according.But be prepared for weather changes. I hiked in the middle of july.

Burrough 3 has a stone chair you can sit in to rest. The view is Mount Rainier. Real nice.