Bring the kids for this one so they can join everyone else's kids in trooping up to see grand views at a lovely alpine lake, with none of those raspy-looking backpacker types fouling the air along the trail. Tolmie Peak is a day-hiker's special. It's about the right distance, offers the right touch of outdoor magic at its destination, and has been ruled off-limits to overnighters.

The trail meanders about 1.75 miles to Ipsut Pass (elevation 5100 feet), where more ambitious hikers can continue north along Ipsut Creek to the Carbon River and the Wonderland Trail.

Stay left and walk just 0.8 mile to Eunice Lake, which offers grand views of Tolmie Peak and its lookout tower, not to mention a little molehill to the east known as Tahoma. Cinch down your knapsack and head on up the trail, climbing steeply another mile to Tolmie Peak, where the panorama is worth every one of the painful steps it took to get here. An old fire lookout cabin still stands atop the ridge knoll west of the true summit of Tolmie Peak. These high, lonesome watch stations have been replaced by satellites and computers, but at times you might still find a volunteer at the lookout cabin. If so, take the time to check out the historic old work room.