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Trip Report

Summit Lake — Friday, Aug. 16, 2013

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

Trip Report By

WTA Member
100

Type of Hike

Day hike

Trail Conditions

Trail in good condition

Road

Road recommended for high clearance only

Bugs

Bugs were not too bad

Snow

Snow free

Trails Hiked

  • Wildflowers blooming
  • Ripe berries
Dad, among the clouds above Summit Lake. Photo by Meredith.
The bugs were not bad at all today! I cannot guarantee that the same will be true tomorrow, but today, they were present but manageable. Indeed, the road to the trail head is ROUGH, but my little car made it without much trouble, so yours probably can, too (the first couple of miles are the worst). We saw only two other hikers on the trail and a handful more at the lake. Absolutely no one on the trail above the lake. Wildflowers are fading but still beautiful. Huckleberries are ripening in sunny spots above the lake.
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Comments

Road question

Hey there!
My fiance would love to do this hike - it looks stunning. However, after reading some of the comments, we are worried about the road leading to the trail. You mentioned your small car made it just fine - we have a Pontiac G6, is that comparable to what you drove? We drove up to Tolmie Peak last weekend on the 17-mile, washboarded gravel road and did just fine, if you've done that trail and can compare.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your review - it has given us hope! :)

Posted by:


"Courtney" on Aug 31, 2013 05:14 PM

Road

I drove up in my Toyota sedan. The road is much worse than the road to Mowich but still doable (though SLOW going). The first couple of miles are the worst. You should always stick to what you feel comfortable with, but I wouldn't be concerned. The pay-off is that you get a beautiful trail with (usually) very few people on it.

Posted by:


"Meredith " on Aug 31, 2013 07:39 PM