Fun Trip..The climb is to 5900ft Begins at Mowich Lake, we dipped down to Ipsut pass after 1 mile or more which is a beautiful valley, but decided to reach new heights to the Tolmie Peak. Very little bugs of any kind. Up at Eunice Lake there were a few spots of snow but mostly little creeks of water. Lots of warm weather has melted everything. Even Mt Rainier had several chucks of snow off those cliffs on the left side visible with Binoculars. I was able to compare some pics from last year and less snow too. Great day hike but road is the only obstacle with ruts and pot holes. 20 to 35 miles an hr the last 12 miles depending on vehicle. Worth it.

Dayhiked up to the Tolmie Peak Lookout in Mt. Rainier park with some friends. Dirt road the last few miles was in decent condition--some potholes and washboarding, but nothing most sedans can't handle. Trail in very good condition. Maybe one blowdown. Snow was non-existant until Lake Eunice, then at the time of the hike, was about a foot or so deep when passing the lake. Probably gone by the third week in July! No snow to speak of going up the final hill to the lookout. Once there, it's a fantastic view of Rainier and all surrounding areas! No bugs right now, but I'm sure that will change shortly! The lookout was locked but shutters are open, so one can see exactly what a "working lookout" actually looked like when there were dozens peppering the mountain tops of our scenic state! All in all, an excellent, fairly easy day hike to a fantastic viewpoint next to mighty Mt. Rainier! Beargrass was in flower, and I'm sure there will be more flowers showing off shortly!

My husband and I hiked this with our four daughters, ages 7, 6, 4, and 2. The two-year-old was in a carrier - everyone else hiked. We started at the trailhead at upper Mowich Lake which made the hike approximately 5.6 miles roundtrip. The trail was in good condition. Eunice Lake was still frozen and the trail next to the lake was covered in snow but it cleared as the trail ascended up to the Tolmie Peak lookout tower. My two older daughters navigated the snow just fine. The four-year-old needed a little help. There were many avalanche lilies to see and the bear grass was beginning to bloom. The mosquitoes were present but mostly kept at bay with bug spray. We saw approximately 15-20 groups of hikers on our way up and back. It was busy but it never felt like we were hiking with a steady stream of other hikers.

went up to Mowich Lake to escape the lowland heat. the trail to Eunice and Tolmie is lovely and we enjoyed our hike. DId a 200 foot side trip to Ipsut Pass and then zoomed up to Eunice. Euncie is 90% frozen and the basin is still snow filled but is melting fast. the flowers are good but not yet at peak. The lookout catwalk is open and we ate lunch there with our terrific view of Rainier and St Helens and lowlands ( and clearcuts....) Ran into 2 WTA crew leaders on the way down and very much enjoyed our day hike here. Go on a weekday for less folks.....

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!