Sunny, clear and 70 degrees in October - time to hike Tolmie Peak. Here is what you need to know: - the road in does have some washboard, but not nearly as bad as we expected. It is highly dusty, so plan to wash your ride after your trip. - we arrived at noon at the trail head. Parking can be an issue here but not today. We parked relatively close to the trail head even though we were late arriving. - trail is in great shape. Lots of roots to navigate, so you need to pay attention where you step. - no bugs to speak of. - fall colors just coming into season while the wildflowers are no longer in bloom. - Mowich Lake is gorgeous. - Eunice Lake is 1.9 miles from the trail head. - add another 0.9 miles and you are at the fire lookout. The lookout was locked but the shutters were up so you could see inside. Great views of Mt. Rainier and points south, north and west. We enjoyed our lunch at the lookout facing Mt. Rainier. - Ranger was on site and was looking for bears and mountain goats. None spotted. - total hike time was 3.5 hours at a normal pace. Very enjoyable on a perfect fall day.

Trail in very good shape. Beautiful day for a hike. Visibility in the distance a little limited due to haze, but great view of Rainier. Some bushes turning color. Road to Mowich seemed less pot-holed than in some past years.

A wonderful day at the fire lookout. The crowds were thin, thankfully, the weather was terrific and the fire smoke seems to be mostly gone! We got there fairly early for a good parking spot along the road next to the Tolmie Peak trailhead. We took our time and ate lunch at the top. The lookout was locked, but shutters were open. A word of caution: The gravel road is a washboard and the dust is high. Stay back from cars ahead and take your time, and all will be fine.

We have been tryiing to hike as many of the lookout hikes in the area as possible. This was one we hadn't done, and the day didn't start out looking like a good day for mountain top views as we were driving in the rain down to Mt Ranier. Never the less we were glad that we did this hike. The trail is in great shape, Eunice Lake is beautiful, we saw a few flowers and fall folage, and the view of Ranier from the lookout was awesome.

I was up there the same time Meredith and her Dad were there and got the same picture of him! As she said, nice hike despite the smoke. On the switchback up to Eunice Lake I heard branches breaking and then the sound of thunder and wondered what animal was coming our way when people ahead of me shouted ELK!!! All I saw was a blur of brown fur crossing the trail above me. They tell me he had a nice set of antlers, too. The gentians around Mowich Lake were beautiful. Some tasty blueberries around Eunice Lake.