There was no one else on the trail while we hiked the trail. We took the kids and headed up the trail. It appears that trail maintenance had all ready been clearing the trail as it seemed to be in really good shape. We turned around when the trail was covered with snow. I think that would be around above the 3600 ft mark. (Just a guess as I don't have a portable GPS) All the kids loved the hike.

After reading an article on the Tacoma News Trib on this trail and I decided to check it out myself. This trail is located behind Longmire. The trail sign is small and can be easily missed. The trail is 3.6 miles one way with an elevation gain of 2955 feet. The first 3 miles was a steady uphill climb through the forest canopy with the last .6 miles being the steepest. Trekking poles came in handy on the way down. Weather was clear and cool in the low 70's. The trail was okay but I don't think I will hike it again as three miles of seeing nothing but trees was a bit boring for me. The trail and scenery at Pinnacle Peak saddle trail is much better and easier to navigate. Pinnacle peak is adjacent Eagle peak.

Set out to attempt Mt Wow but was unable to find any remnant of trailhead off of West Side Road (as described in a couple of trip reports) so I will do more research and try it next year. Plan B - Eagle Peak, with possible side trips to Chutla and/or Wahpenayo Peaks. Trail is in good shape and weather was great. Set out by about 10 AM. Was warm enough for shorts and t-shirt at trailhead. Endless summer continues! One other car at wide spot in road near trailhead. Trail in forest for first 2 to 3 miles. Some nice streams and small waterfalls the first 2 miles or so. Some open meadows are eventually reached and there were still some wildflowers, believe it or not. Trail switchbacks up talus slope the last stretch before saddle. Met one other hiker at saddle. He was not going to attempt any scrambles. I noted a makeshift bench in the shade just to the east with a better view of Mt Rainier. The trail continues to the east but comes to what appeared to be a drop off. I didn't investigate too much further. I later read that this is one way to attempt Chutla Peak. I decided to check out a couple of other side trails I noted on the way up, thinking they might be easier. The side trail not too far down from the saddle remains a faint way path through a meadow. It seemed to peeter out so I tried one last one at about 4,500 feet. Trail headed faintly past some rocky slopes. Saw about 4 marmots and 1 pika there. I eventually decided to head up as it appeared that I was headed toward Wahpenayo. I eventually achieved the ridge but decided to leave this for another day. I traversed back to the Eagle Peak saddle trail. Had lunch in the shady spot and then decided to go up Eagle Peak, even though I had done it once before. Path heads up through some small trees to the right. Then trail winds up to a rocky face. One must pick their way to the left and eventually the path will arrive at a spot where some relatively easy scrambling will bring you to a spot on top of the sheer face. A short walk/scramble around to the left summit block and you are on top. Great views there and temps were perfect. Saw 2 deer on the trail on way back. They didn't appear the least bit afraid of me. They were just munching on the foliage. Saw one other solo hiker on the way back down. About 2 hours up and 1 hr 40 minutes back. Good workout. Bugs not a problem. Cold beverage and salty snacks at Wilkeson General Store made a nice reward on a great day.

The trail is bare and clear up to an elevation of about 4000 feet (about 1.5 miles in), where patches of snow appear. At 4200 feet, (just below the first small bridge) isolated, but extensive snow cover makes route finding very challenging. It was very easy to miss where the switch backs turned. If we had not had a map and knew the trail, it would have been very easy to get lost. From approx 4400 to 4600 feet the trail was clear as it climbed a steep slope, then cut up and across a talus slope. The broad ridge that leads up to the base of Eagle Peak is completely snow covered. It is hard to follow the trail, but if you just continue up toward the peak you will arrive at the base of the final gully up to the saddle. The final gully has snowfields that require caution on the ascent, and on the descent, you will want ice axes in hand. Still some corniced snow on the saddle, so pay attention.

We hiked Eagle Peak on a cloudy Sunday. The clouds (reportedly)were to burn off by midday. They never did here. The trail is in wonderful shape, accessed from the Longmire Parking lot. When we got to the Saddle we could not even see Eagle Peak (1:00pm), or Mt Rainier. It was cold, damp and breezy. We waited around to see if the clouds would break as we wanted to see and photograph ""things."" Clouds never broke, we were freezing in spite of gloves, and windbreakers. I was very disappointed. Upon driving back on 7, it was completely sunny, we stopped along side the road and there was Mt Rainier, with clouds on the lower levels, but it was glorious. If you work during the week like I do, this summer has had many dissappointing weekends weather wise. Eagle Peak for us was a miserable hike.