Features:

The trailhead for this hike is located west of the campground near Mowich Lake.

Tolmie Peak Lookout hike ranks amoung the top ten best values in scenery for hike effort exerted within the Mount Rainier National Park in this writer's opinion. The seven mile round trip event offers two beautiful lakes and a summit experience with a breath taking view.

If swimming in mountain lakes is your thing, then you will want to check out Eunice Lake as it looks to be one of the best for swimming with sandy shores and easy access.

An added benefit to this hike is Mowich Campground at the trailhead. The campground requires no reservations, but the number of campsites is limited. This also means that there are restrooms that are well maintained. The trailhead often has park rangers nearby because they have a small headquarters near Mowich Lake. The only downside to the campground is the lack of privacy from surrounding camper. This campsite is more functional than it is scenic. It is often used for support crews that assist others who are hiking the entire Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier.

For the best experience, you may wish to start your hike to Tolmie Peak early in the day as there is a well know tendency for Mount Rainier to cloud up around noon time. The mountain is often best for viewing early or late in day day generally speaking.

View of Mount Rainier from Tolmie Peak Lookout

How to get there:

From Puyallup,Washington, drive 13 miles east on State Route 410 to Buckley. Turn right (south) onto SR 165 and proceed through the town of Carbonado. Just beyond the Carbon River Gorge bridge, bear right uphill onto Mowich Lake Road. Follow this good gravel road about 17 miles to its end and find the trailhead on the left (north) side of the road, near Mowich Lake.