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!

It took me about an hour and a half to get to trail head. Road to trailhead is pretty bad gravel road. Although I saw a lot of cars with low clearance, I would recommend to get there with high clearance vehicle and get ready to wash your car after you drive on this road. The hike was not bad. There are a few area on the trail with loose rocks. After all, it is pretty well maintained trail. Basically there are three parts of the hike, trail to ipsut pass section was pretty easy. In the second section, you would hike through the wood to Eunice Lake. Once you get Eunice Lake you will be able to see Tolmie Lookout from the bottom. The last section hike is from Eunice Lake to Tolmie Peak. It is a relatively steep hike. The view at the peak is definitely amazing.

One of my favorite hikes. No view that day from the lookout. Only fog.

To reiterate what others have said, the data listed on WTA is deceiving. It may very well be 1100 vertical feet from your car to Tolmie Fire Lookout, but the trail significantly drops in elevation, goes up and then drops again. It's not a walk in the park. There are a significant elevation changes. It was socked in so we had no amazing view, but the entire trail is beautiful and fun and still worth it. My 11 and 7 year old sons made it just fine with minimal complaining. The road condition is not nearly as bad as some of these trip reports indicate. If you are from Seattle and rarely leave the pavement, you might think they're terrible. There is a lot of wash boarding, but the grooves are not that deep and pot holes are not the size of a VW!

We got to the trailhead at about 8 AM. There were very few cars there at that time. Hike was around 3 hours total. Clear view of St. Helens and Rainier. People reported previously about a lot of bugs. There are bugs but it wasn't crazy and I came prepared with bug spray. We ate a quick lunch up there and headed down. By that time there was A LOT of people coming up. So get there early (by the time we got to our car the road was packed! ) The views are worth it. The last mile is the steepest incline, but it's not too bad. Don't forget to bring money to pay the Mt. rainier park fee!