Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake

Located roughly 2 hours away from Seattle, this hike is more than worth the drive, providing an abundance of wildflowers, berries, and -weather permitting- views of Mt. Rainier. Be advised to add an additional 30 mins to your travel time due to rough road for the last 17 miles. A high-clearance vehicle is preferable for a gentler ride but if a Prius can make it, so can you. At Paul Peak trailhead, just 5.2 miles away from your starting point, you can purchase a park pass, use one of the toilets, or throw away any trash before reaching the trailhead to Tolmie Peak.

The trailhead is located on the left side of the road, there is no parking lot but parallel parking is available. You won't find an information board at the trailhead, only a sign pointing you in the right direction, there is no information board at the trailhead so be sure to do a simple search online for recent trail conditions and to bring a copy of the trail map to follow along with your compass before your adventure. 

Starting off from the trail head you're going to go left towards Ipsut Pass along the west side of Mowich Lake. As you start to branch away from the lake you will begin to gradually gain elevation. About 2 miles from the trailhead you will reach a fork for Isput Pass and Tolmie Peak/Eunice Lake, go left and continue for about another 0.8 miles to Eunice Lake. In this stretch you will lose some elevation before you gain it back through a handful of switchbacks up to the lake. Keep your eyes peeled for the sky as you climb the switchbacks; it will provide some motivation and give you an idea of how much farther you are from the lake.

As you start to pop out of the trees you'll enter on the southwestern side of Eunice lake. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for blueberry and huckleberry bushes! If in season, they will be littered all along the trail the rest of the way up to the lookout from here. You may be inclined to stop at the lake for a lunch break or a refreshing/frigid dip before pressing on to the lookout, which will now be visible along the cliff ridge line high above. Some may choose to make the stunning lake the final destination of the day.

Those looking for scenic views of Mt. Rainier and the Carbon River Valley will continue up on the final stretch to the lookout tower. You'll have to conquer roughly 600ft of elevation in the last mile before reaching the top. The lookout is effectively closed to the public, but with the enough layers, water and lunch, hanging out on the wrap around deck for a while is still a great option. Hikers in desperate need of some relief can find a toilet hidden on the Northeast side of the lookout. 

No camping is allowed at Eunice Lake basin or at the lookout tower, my suggestion would be to camp overnight at Mowich Lake if you want to catch a stunning sunrise or sunset.