Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake — Saturday, Jul. 8, 2017

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

My husband and two kids ages 4&7 and my self were at the trail head by 7 am and there was already 6 cars. I was shocked but not as much as I was later. The trail was quite full of roots and rocks. Not horrible or impassable by any stretch. Just annoying. The trail was rolling up and down, switchbacks down and up until we break out of tree line and see Eunice lake. The mountain pops out and oh man the fire look out comes in to clear view. A few switchbacks and we are on the top. We arrived surprised to see someone with a dog in the national park. It should have been a hint of the amount of rudeness to come. After the first batch of people cleared I had the top to my self for a good 5 mins. It was beautiful and peaceful. On the way down I have never in my entire 15 year hiking experience seen so many people on the trail. The amount of people was suffocating. Helpful tips for this trail: If solitude is what you want, go at night. Prepare for hordes of boom box playing, trail hogging, dog walking PEOPLE! Next the bridge on the way up before you turn to go on the mowich lake road is ONE LANE! If you seea car, wait. Also the gravel road is two lanes! Please for the love of all things pure and good in the world stay on your side, twice my husband almost drove us off the road to avoid a head on collision. Next get there early if you want to park near the trail head. I have never seen so many cars in my life! On the side of the mowich lake road. And finally the national parks are pet free for trails. The person I saw first really had no idea and was clear to change for her next trip. The rest, not so much. It's against the law and quite frustrating.