This hike is not 7.5 miles. From the trailhead at Lake Mowich, it is 5.6 miles round trip to the Tolmie Fire Lookout. It was quite busy and crowded. The trail is in good condition. There were at least 50+ people at the summit today. Was cloudy when we reached the fire lookout, but the clouds rolled off the mountain peak and afforded some really beautiful views.

this trail was in amazing condition and possibly in the top 10hikes for me! go early enough and you will miss all the people 👍 after you hike the 0.9mile straight uphill ascent, it's nice to take dip in Eunice lake 👙

I shaved one mile off the hike by parking at the side of the road next to the Tolmie Peak sign (about 0.5 miles from WTA's parking directions). The hike was simple, and easy to breeze through. The hike itself had steep up and downs both ways, and it also had the same amount of flat as well. I didn't encounter a lot of people on the trail, but there was a lot of people at the look out once I got to the top. People mostly lingered at the top for a while, and the look out was open. It was a beautiful hike. Try doing this hike on a cloudless day because the views were spectacular!

I got up very early and got to the trail head at 7:30. The road in was passable even for my little front wheel drive Camry. That being said, it was somewhat slow going on the way in as the road is washboarded pretty well and there are some gnarly pothole sections right near the payment area in the NP. Definitely allow for a little more time to get up to the trailhead on the way in if you are in a lower clearance vehicle. The hike itself was very nice. I started at the Tolmie Peak Trailhead rather than the Mowich Lk Campground because I wanted to get up to the observation point before the sun had gotten too high (and thus makes pictures of Rainier nearly impossible for a few hours). The hike along the lake is quite picturesque, however, and I did add that onto the end of my trip. There were only a couple cars parked at the trailhead when I arrived, but when I returned it was reasonably full. I had the trail to myself at that early hour in the morning and the weather was cool but gorgeous. The actual hiking is not particularly strenuous, although the trail does have lots of roots and some rocks that make certain areas just a bit tricky. Although the hike itself could be a touch underwhelming, the views on a clear day are well worth a visit!

Drove up the rough road to the Tolmie Peak trailhead. Road just had a handful of potholes and washboard sections but not too bad. National Park pass required. There is a spot to pay with a deposit envelope or else you go to the ranger station before going up the mountain. Parking along side the road for Tolmie Peak. Further down is a parking lot for Mowich Lake. The trail was in good condition. Lots up tree roots the first mile and half. Make your way to beautiful Eunice Lake and you can see the fire tower up in the distance. The tower isn't as far away as it looks. The views up on top of Tolmie Peak are amazing!! We had clear blue skies. Mount Rainier was gorgeous and you could even see Mount St. Helens, Mount Baker and the Port of Tacoma. The tower was closed when we were there. There is a toilet on a little hidden trail behind the tower. Trail was very busy for a Wednesday after summer. Brought the bug spray just in case. They were swarming around but not landing on us. It was annoying to hear them.