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.
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