Trip Report
Lookouts and High Places July Hikes - Eunice Lake & Tolmie Peak Lookout
Reach out and touch Tahoma
Lisa Elliott
- Wed, Jul 17, 2024
- Lookouts and High Places July Hikes - Eunice Lake & Tolmie Peak Lookout
- Eunice Lake & Tolmie Peak Lookout
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road rough but passable
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It won't be long before the chuck holes return to Mowich Rd so go soon if this grand hike is on your to-do list for summer. Traveling the graded gravel road is 11 miles of dust right now, with pop-out stunning views to get you excited for your trip.
PARKING: Drive up and park. The later in the day the more likely you will have a hike to the trailhead. A higher clearance vehicle is usually advised later in the season. Wednesday at 8 am there were approximately 6 cars in the Mowich area and 4 cars at the Tolmie Peak TH.
TIMED ENTRY: None
PASS: Display your America the Beautiful or interagency pass or permit on your dash. There are no passes or permits sold at Mowich Lake Campground so purchase your ahead of time or at Carbon River Ranger Station.
TOILET: Clean and tidy pit toilets located at Mowich Campground.
TRIP: Lovely reflections begin the view as well as a few wildflowers along Mowich Lake. Avalanche Lillies are abundant along the banks of the along with Jeffrey Shooting Stars. A portion of this trail belongs to the Wonderland Trail so Park rangers and workers are upgrading trails along the way.
We took a view overlooking Ipsut Pass then continued the switchbacks to Eunice Lake. At the point the trail points and turns over rocks, boulders and roots. The footing is slow at times.
Eunice Lake has several social trails that make for a quiet spot for a snack or water. We observed a young buck who was very friendly about human as visitors at the lake. Just a reminder not to feed the animals.
As you continue up to the lookout the entire hillside is filled with wild flowers in waiting. There was quite a show of Bear Grass, penstemons, phlox, and Tiger Lillies here but appears it will be less of a show this year due to dryer conditions overall. Amazing views to the west and north of Puget Sound and the cities. On a less hazy day you can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Baker from the ridge.
Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout is well kept and a great view for photos. There are plenty of spots around the lookout or you can walk up and dangle your feet over the side and ponder longer at the main attraction, Tahoma, and St Helens to the south.
The actual Tolmie Peak continues another 1/2 mile to the east where there are steep drop-offs and a lot of loose rock.
If you want to camp at the campground, it is primitive and small with limited spots for first come first serve.
Everyone needs to enjoy this lovely spot at least once in their life. A highlight for an early season hike before the dust settles and the chuck holes reappear.
6.8 miles 5900' +1600 gain