Mowich Lake is the destination of choice for most folks who want to play on the northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park. The road is closed at the park boundary shortly after the first heavy snowfall, and the 5.5-mile trip to the lakeshore is a favorite of skiers and snowshoers who want to enjoy the beauty of the park, without working too hard at their sports. The road is steep in places, but overall it is moderately sloped and wide enough for snowshoers and skiers to enjoy together.

Snowshoers will find themselves climbing through lush, old cedar forests--some truly massive trees are found in this area--and thinner stands of fir and hemlock before arriving at the lake with its views of Tolmie Peak, Paul Peak, and Mount Rainier. The lake has an array of excellent campsites, each well sheltered but with great views all around. The gentle road hike in makes this a good destination for novice winter campers as well as seasoned cold-weather fanatics.

From the gate at the park boundary (3000 feet), hike up the road as it skirts around the flank of Martin Peak and climbs gradually up the Meadow Creek valley, passing the Paul Peak Trail (Route 75) at 1 mile. The thick tree cover is broken by an occasional small clearing, but dense, ancient forests dominate the first 2 miles of the route. At this point, the road rolls through the Mowich Meadows--small fields of snow nestled among the trees. The road curves right past the meadows and climbs steeply for a few hundred yards, rolling south through a sweeping curve. At 3 miles, rather than following the road down through a roundabout course, find a small trail on the left and climb steeply for 0.25 mile to rejoin the road at 4400 feet, thus trimming more than a half mile off the distance to the lake.

Instead of rejoining the wandering road at the junction, cross the road and start up another trail as it climbs steeply to the south, cutting across the neck of a long northerly loop in the road. A half mile up this trail, at 3.8 miles, cross the road once more and stay on the small forest trail as it continues to angle up the slope on a southern bearing. This 0.5-mile trail cuts nearly a mile off the road distance. Road hikers will sweep west with the road as it rounds a sharp switchback and returns.

Back on the road at mile 4.3, turn left and hike 0.5 mile to the east to find Mowich Lake. Once at the lakeshore, turn right and follow the road along the shoreline to a flat area at the end of the road. Tolmie Peak is visible to the north from here. To see Mount Rainier, hike 0.25 mile south to a viewpoint on the ridge above the lake. A small, level area for campers is nearby, with plenty of places for picnickers to plop down and enjoy lunch while gazing at the stony north face of the mighty mountain.

Author’s Rating: Easiest.
Generally good trails for beginners, with little elevation change and minimal avalanche danger.