Location.
Mount Rainier National Park
Status.
Maintained; Currently standing
Estimated drive time from Portland, OR.
4 hours
Date visited.
August 25, 2018
Elevation.
5,939′
National Historic Lookout Register.
Yes
Trip Report.
I woke up early in the morning to meet my friend for this hike. They live in the Seattle area and I’m located in Portland. The drive time is about the same for us but we met in the middle to carpool the remainder of the way. The trail is located on the park’s northwestern corner off of Mowich Lake Road. Driving down Mowich Lake Road is 17 miles of dusty gravel one way. It’s a maintained gravel road and I had no issues in my Civic aside from the constant bump of washboard. Although you do not pass a National Park kiosk you will still need a National Park pass to park and recreate in this area. The trail starts on the north side of Mowich Lake near Mowich Lake C.G. The trail hikes gradually up through forest to Eunice Lake where you will get your first glimpse of the lookout. From Eunice Lake you only have a steep mile left to climb to the lookout. Please only hike on the already constructed trails in this area. The subalpine meadows and shores of Eunice Lake are delicate and easily damaged.
After hiking a total of 3.25 miles and gaining 1,010 feet of elevation you will reach the summit. Tolmie Peak L.O. offers commanding views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding area. It’s a great place to stop and enjoy lunch before hiking back out. There are no backcountry camp spots in this area of the park which means it can only be reached via a day hike.
History.
The lookout itself is in great condition and well maintained by the National Park Service. It’s the original 2-story frame cab that was built by the CCC in 1933. It’s also one of the four remaining lookouts within the National Park. You have access to the cat walk but the doors to the inside are locked. The shutters were open when I visited, so I was able to get a glimpse into what life inside the lookout once was. The name Tolmie Peak comes from Dr. William Tolmie who allegedly led a botanical expedition into this area. But recent research now shows that Dr. Tolmie actually ascended Hessong Rock instead.
More Information.
The Roaming Civic 