Trip Date: January 13-14, 2001
Mowich Lake & Tolmie Peak Snowshoeing Trip
Mowich Lake
Ipsut Pass
Eunice Lake
Tolmie Peak / Lookout (5920+ ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Southern Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Mt. Rainier Massif
Area: Mt. Rainier National Park
Starting & Ending Point: Paul Peak Trailhead parking lot at winter gate on Mowich Lake Road (Elev. 3700 feet)
Way Points: Mowich Meadows & Mowich Lake Ranger Station & Mowich Lake & Ipsut Pass & Eunice Lake (snowshoe hike)
Campsite: Eunice Lake
Summit: Tolmie Peak (snowshoe climb via Southeast Slope)
Approximate Stats: 15 miles traveled; 2500 feet gained & lost.
Full Trip Report
Day 1 (AM): Winter Gate to Mowich Lake
Laura, Dee, Henry, John, and Sarah joined me for a snowshoe trip to Mowich Lake at Mt. Rainier National Park. We parked at the Paul Peak Trailhead, where the winter gate is now closed, and began booting up the Mowich Lake Road. The snowpack increased steadily, such that snowshoes were needed after the first couple of miles.
After several miles of tromping through fresh snow, first on the road and then on the Grindstone Trail (a nice shortcut), we arrived at Mowich Lake in time for lunch (2.6 hours from gate). It had snowed heavily throughout the morning, so we took shelter under the ranger station roof.
Day 1 (PM): Mowich Lake to Eunice Lake + Tolmie Peak
After lunch, Henry, John, and Sarah headed back to their car, whereas Laura, Dee, and I continued around Mowich Lake and up to 5400-foot Eunice Lake. We set up camp beside the lake, in full view of the lookout cabin on Tolmie Peak.
Having a couple hours of daylight left, we loaded summit packs and headed up Tolmie Peak. Our route to the lookout cabin was a curving line up the steep southeast slope, staying left of the cliffy areas. The catwalk was accessible, but the cabin itself was locked. Views were limited due to the light fog and low cloudcover.
We returned to camp just before dark and spent a long but comfortable night in our tents.
Day 2 (AM): Eunice Lake to Winter Gate
Come morning, we packed up and snowshoed back to our car as the sun made intermittent appearances between the clouds (2.7 hours from camp).
Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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