Tolmie Peak

Difficulty: Moderate
5 1/2 miles Round Trip
National Park Day Use Fee Area

This was one of our more memorable hiking trips. When we first started out Jeff, our son, wasn't really feeling the love that day, but by the time we got done he was super glad he came with us. This hike has just about everything. A beautiful waterfall, a great lake to eat lunch by and cool off on a hot day, and one of the most amazing views of Mt. Rainier ever. I would totally recommend this hike!

Waterfall on the way up to the peak

Eunice Lake is at about 1 3/4 miles from the trail head. You will get an amazing view of Mt. Rainier here by the lake. I think it depends on what time of year you come here on whether or not you can swim in the lake do to it being awfully cold. Obviously when we were here there was still snow, but it was a great place to rest and eat lunch before the steep mile climb up to the lookout.

Awesome view at the top!

The lookout tower is to the left.

We even got birds to eat out of our hands on the way back.

Directions: Drive State Highway 410 until you get to Buckley. You will come to a complicated intersection at the southeast corner. Turn south onto State Highway 162 toward Wilkenson. After about 2 miles this road will T. Turn left onto State Highway 165. You will follow this road for about 8.5 miles, past Wilkenson, Carbonado adn a one-lane bridge over the Carbon River. The road will come to a Y-intersection, stay to the right that heads to Mowich Lake. You will follow this road, that eventually turns into gravel, for about 11 miles to it's end. You will wrap around Mowich lake for a short while to hook onto the trail leading up to Eunice Lake and Tolmie Peak.

There is a day use fee that you will have to pay about half way up your last road, since it is a National Park. There will be a self-pay station to your right, you can't miss it.