Two snowshoers climb a snow slope below the Tolmie Peak lookout cabin
Final Steps To Tolmie Peak Lookout

Tolmie Peak Snowshoe Climb via Mowich Lake—Eunice Lake (Mount Rainier Massif, WA)

Jim Brisbine·
Lookout SitesMount Rainier MassifSnow Tours in Southern WA CascadesWinter SummitsTolmie Peak
·138 views

January 13-14, 2001

Mowich Lake & Tolmie Peak Snowshoeing Trip

Mowich Lake
Ipsut Pass
Eunice Lake
Tolmie Peak / Lookout (5920’+)

Table Of Contents
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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 ascent & descent via Southeast Slope)

Approximate Stats: 15 miles traveled; 2500 feet gained & lost.

Full Trip Report

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.

Group At Mowich Road Gate

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.

Lunch Stop At Mowich Lake Ranger Station

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.

Snowshoeing Toward Eunice Lake
Tolmie Peak Lookout From Camp

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.

Dee and Laura Heading For Tolmie Peak
Jim On Tolmie Peak Lookout Cabin Catwalk

We returned to camp just before dark and spent a long but comfortable night in our tents. 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).

Eunice Lake From Camp

Route Map & Profile

Tolmie Peak Lookout Route Map

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Tolmie Peak Lookout Route Profile

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge…

Group At Mowich Road Gate
Lunch Stop At Mowich Lake Ranger Station
Snowshoeing Toward Eunice Lake
Tolmie Peak Lookout From Camp
Dee and Laura Heading For Tolmie Peak
Final Steps To Tolmie Peak Lookout
Jim At Tolmie Peak Lookout
Eunice Lake From Camp