Road to Mowich is finally open, yipee! Road is perfect, not potholes! New restrooms are open at Paul's peak TH. Lots of snow at the lake only 3 camp sites are melted out. Some ice bergs remain around the edges of Mowich and lakeshore trail has tons of snow. But after the lakeshore trail the snow goes away until .5 from Eunice then it's consistant and meadows are DEEP under snow at the lake. I bagged out on reaching the LO today. Weather was perfect, avalanche lillies were the star flower at the moment.

The road is closed at the South Mowich River trailhead. Eunice lake still has 5' of snow. Expected open date is early August according to the ranger.

Extraordinary late October weather was all the incentive required to get out for another hike before the wet season settles in. I wore a light fleece pullover on the way up at a moderately fast pace that resulted in time of 1H 20M to Tolmie Lookout. Great views with clear skies and very little haze, was able to see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker and the Olympic range. There are a few muddy spots as well as ice on the trail. On the way back a T Shirt is all that was required for brisk hike back to the Mowich Lake parking lot in just a little over an hour.

Oh to be out in the fall on a sunny day! Decided to hike the Tolmie Peak Lookout trail with a side trip to Howard Peak. It was cold at the trailhead at Mowich Lake as I set out at about 9:45 AM. I set a good pace and soon warmed up. First part of hike is along Mowich Lake but quickly turns away from the lake at northern end. Trail was in good shape save a few wet and muddy spots and, higher up at Eunice Lake and above, some frost and ice. I noted some nice falls not far off the trail below Eunice Lake. Don't remember seeing them before on previous hikes and couldn't find a name on any maps or guidebooks. Some fall colors out at the lake and above on hillsides. Reached the lookout and looked for path to the north to Howard Peak. There is a faint path but basically you are going down a hillside and losing about 300 feet of elevation. Hillside faces north so is a bit icy but manageable with trekking poles. Just make sure to avoid drop offs to right. Path is more visible once you get down to the ridge leading to Howard Peak. The higher summit appeared to be the one to the right (east). The first summit is more wooded and lacks the views that the higher, eastern summit has. I reached it and noted a rock someone had placed on the top. Great views of Mt Rainier and surrounding smaller peaks like Castle Peak, Mother Mt as well as Eunice and Mowich Lakes. Farther off peaks obscured by clouds but Rainier perfect. Other peaks to the north (Florence, Arthur, etc.) are also reachable from trail that sets out from Carbon River Ranger Station at south end of Rain Forest Loop. I noted some clouds coming in from the west. I think I timed the hike about perfect. Got back to car by 12:45 PM. Only saw one other person going up as I was coming down. First time I had been at the lookout with no other people around! No wildflowers in bloom left save 2 bluebells. This is a great time of year to do this hike. I was reading other trip reports from earlier in the summer and sounds like the bugs were pretty bad. I also remember quite a few bugs on past hikes to the lake. Absolutely no bugs now! Just wait for a clear day in the fall and head on up. The views are awesome.

Started just before 11am. Got to Eunice lake just after noon. Not too much elevation to this point- a few short stretches with switchbacks. Many stretches with wildflowers. Got to Eunice lake just in time for lunch- beautiful! Lots of spots to sit down for lunch. Then hiked up to the lookout (another mile). Amazing views all the way up of Mt Rainier. At the lookout- 360 degree views- on this day we could see Mt St Helens and Mt Baker too. We made plenty of stops (total 1-2hrs) and made it back to the car by 4:30pm. Warning- lots of bugs especially at the lake- come prepared!