Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake — Saturday, Jul. 12, 2014

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

My daughter's soccer tournament kept me in town most of the weekend, but not entirely. After her last match Saturday afternoon, I snuck off to Lake Mowich and hiked up to Lake Eunice in time for sunset. The trail was snowfree up to where it breaks out of the trees at the lake. There was more snow than I expected in the basin. The lake was still about 80% frozen, and the basin still covered in snow. Bugs weren't bad, but I think this was due to my late arrival. Those I passed on the trail described them as nasty. I made it back down to my vehicle around 10:30, then drove around to Sunrise, arriving well after midnight. I set the alarm for 4:00 am, and hiked up Sourdough Ridge for sunrise. Still lots of snow patches on the trail toward Dege Peak. Some flowers already emerging, including lupine. Oh, and I made it back in time for my daughter's 9:00 am soccer match Sunday morning!