I will add to Mark1423's excellent report of today: Avalanche lilies (around Eunice Lake) and bear grass (along the switchbacks above Eunice Lake) are blooming profusely - the view of Rainier surrounded by bear grass is stunning.
We started from just above the campground; the extra mile is mostly level and traverses just above the lake - quite pleasant.
The stats for this hike understate the elevation gain in that, from Ipsut Pass to Eunice Lake, you lose some elevation, which you must then regain. My precise-but-never-accurate Fitbit put the total elevation gain at 1800 feet, which feels about right for the amount of effort.
We also encountered hikers-with-dog who were ticketed by the ranger.
Finally, when we returned to the parking lot, it was beyond full and cars were parked for a seriously long way back up the road.
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