Tolmie Peak

Drove up to Mowich Lake at Mount Rainier National Park to hike up to Tolmie Peak (5.6 miles round trip with 1,100 ft of overall gain). On the drive up we had a nice view of Mt Rainier in the clouds. 

There was some nice fall color at the trailhead.

The trail joins the Wonderland Trail for one mile and starts along the west side of Mowich Lake, we had some nice views through the trees.

We also had a glimpse of Mt Rainier across the lake, before it was covered in clouds.

After the trail leaves Mowich Lake it descends a bit and goes by this lovely rock formation. Soon after this the Wonderland Trail continues off to the right going over Ipsut Pass. The Tolmie Peak Trail continues a bit down and to the left.

The trail goes down a couple of switchbacks in the forest. There are a couple of open areas going by the base of a couple more rocky cliffs.

When the trail starts to climb up in the forest towards Eunice Lake in a series of switchbacks, look for a boot track off to the left that leads to a few of a waterfall over a rock wall. There wasn't much water in the waterfall today.

The morning light lit up the moss hanging from the trees.

There are several boot tracks at Eunice Lake leading to the lake shore, but today we decided to continue on the main trail up to Tolmie Peak. A small pond along the trail where a creek crosses over the trail.

There were several areas along the trail at Eunice Lake, where there were brightly colored foliage.

Fall brightens up the trail.

The trail passes close to Eunice Lake on the southwest end. The lookout at Tolmie Peak can be seen up on the ridge.

Lovely blue color in the lake.

More fall color as we continued hiking up Tolmie Peak.

View of Eunice Lake as we continued up Tolmie Peak.

Love hiking in the fall.
















The lookout at Tolmie Peak has been boarded up for the season.















Mt Rainier stayed hidden in the clouds, but it was fun watching the clouds move around Eunice Lake below.

The sun broke through the clouds, but Mt Rainier stayed covered in the clouds.











Some of the foliage and fungus along the trail today: