Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake — Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

This was my first time up to the Tolmie Peak Lookout, and I can't imagine it'll be my last! The hike offers some moderately difficult trails tough enough to challenge less experienced hikers, but not so easy that more experienced hikers will be bored. The accessibility of this hike certainly makes it quite popular - Highway 165 was lined with cars at least a quarter-mile from the trailhead. If you're wanting a less crowded experience, I'd recommend hitting the trail either early or late in the day. Due to the two glacial lakes in the vicinity, flies and mosquitoes are plenty. This isn't so much an issue while hiking, but if you stop and rest for any period of time they'll probably want to befriend you. The hike itself essentially has three portions - The trailhead to Ipsut Pass, Ipsut Pass to Eunice Lake, and Eunice Lake to the lookout. The first portion is easy, with very little grade change to speak of. After hanging a left at the Ipsut Pass branch, the trail takes you down several hundred feet, and immediately after, up about 500 feet over about half a mile. The area around Eunice Lake is quite flat, with numerous paths down to the water for people wanting to take a swim (or even paddle around in an inflatable canoe!) From Eunice Lake, you've only got one mile to go. The fire lookout can be seen atop the peak, with a few clearly visible switchbacks showing you the way to the peak. The switchbacks give way to a beautiful field of wildflowers with views to the north of Howard Peak, Alki Crest, and even the South end of Puget Sound! After just a little bit further, the fire lookout reveals itself in a clearing with just spectacular views in almost every direction. While the lookout itself is not open to the public, the platform surrounding it is open if you'd like to get just a bit more altitude. There is also a logbook, so don't forget to sign in! The views from atop Tolmie Peak are quite simply breathtaking. Between Eunice Lake 600 feet below you, Mount Rainier, and the many forested mountains dotting the landscape, this isn't a vista you'll likely want to rush away from (I stayed up here almost an hour!) While there are certainly hikes that afford better views of Mount Rainier (Burroughs Mountain is at the top of my personal list), Tolmie Peak was certainly no sloucher and was well worth the hike!

More Information on this Trip Report

• http://nashtok.blogspot.com/2016/08/2016-08-13-trail-report-tolmie-peak.html