tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
Member
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Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:46 pm
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A somewhat delayed trip report but what the heck. Battling some foot issues, not sure of the weather, and wanted an earlier return home time, fact that the road is closing soon we decided on Tolmie Lookout. I had been here like 4 years ago. I was amazed it had been that long. In early September.
Road was in as bad of shape as I have ever seen it in the 8 or so years I have been coming up here. Lots of potholes.
New woodwork in the campground area.
Mowich Lake campground. Mowich Lake campground Lots of new benches/wood barriers. I guess some new sources of firewood, LOL!
The lake was calm as usual. Would be a nice place to take some type of human powered boat for sure.
Mowich Lake. Mowich Lake.
We headed up the trail towards Ipsut Pass.
Castle Peak. Mowich Lake. Mowich Lake. Mowich Lake and Knapsack Pass. Zoom up towards Knapsack Pass. Mowich Lake, Knapsack Pass and Fay Peak.
One minor viewpoint before Ipsut pass.
View out from trail nearing Ipsut Pass.
And soon enough Ipsut Pass.
View from Ipsut Pass. View from Ipsut Pass. View from Ipsut Pass. Ipsut Pass.
Old maps indicate a trail goes right from Ipsut Pass to avoid the slight descent around the cliffs. I found no evidence of such.
Heading towards Eunice Lake, have to traverse below these rocks/cliffs.
After the brief descent the wooded climb gets to Eunice Lake. At all time low levels.
Nearing Eunice Lake. Tolmie Lookout. Tolmie Lookout. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake.
We poked around the East end and found various beaches due to the low levels.
Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake. Crow at Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake.
We continued along the lake checking out various parts of the lake.
Eunice Lake. Tolmie lookout ridge. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake. Pano of Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake at low levels. Eunice Lake at low levels. Eunice Lake at low levels. Eunice Lake at low levels. Eunice Lake at low levels.
When we were at the west end of the lake we noticed a white speck up the hill below the lookout.
Mountain Goat above Eunice Lake and below the lookout. Mountain Goat above Eunice Lake and below the lookout. Trail switchbacking up the hill. Mountain Goat above Eunice Lake and below the lookout. Mountain Goat above Eunice Lake and below the lookout.
After some watching the goat layed down. We continued on and around to head up to the lookout.
Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake.
Catching a few views as the clouds allowed of the mountain.
Eunice Lake. Rainier.
Once on the ridge we took a short detour to the back side viewpoint.
Views from backside of ridge to Tolmie. Views from backside of ridge to Tolmie. Views from backside of ridge to Tolmie. Views from backside of ridge to Tolmie. Views from backside of ridge to Tolmie. Views from backside of ridge to Tolmie.
We made way up the final little bit to the lookout area.
Backside view. Pano. Mt. St Helens. Last bump to the lookout. Backside views. Rainier from near lookout.
Arrival at the lookout. A few people around.
Tolmie Lookout. Views from near lookout. Views from near lookout.
We climbed up and did the walk around.
Lookout warning. View from lookout. Pano from lookout. Eunice Lake from Tolmie. True summit of Tolmie.
We found the bench below/on the east side of the lookout and sat for lunch. A little breeze but not too bad initially.
Views from lunch spot on Tolmie. Views from lunch spot on Tolmie. Mt St Helens from Tolmie. Lookout area views. Lookout area views. Pano from lunch spot area. Rainier hiding. Zoom towards Observation rock area. Zoom towards Observation rock area. Views. Interesting cliffs. Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake.
I noticed something just to the north down a little. Looked like a toilet. Right I was. It also provided some views down towards Green Lake far below that are not visible from the lookout area.
Toilet near lookout. Green Lake far below from toilet area. Green Lake far below from toilet area. Green Lake far below from toilet area. Looking towards Carbon river. Looking towards Carbon river.
After retreating back up it was starting to cool down more and we decided it was time to head out before more crowds appeared.
Parting shot of lookout.
We saw a couple of specs on a rock off the backside. Didn't realize these were goats until I looked at the shots.
Goat taking a rest on way back.
We continued down. Rain held off.
Eunice Lake.
Goat we saw up now in full rest mode.
Goat taking a rest on way back.
A few parting shots of Eunice Lake.
Eunice Lake. Eunice Lake.
And back to the campground.
Back to campground.
If you walk to the far end of the campground you can actually see the lookout.
Tolmie lookout from far end of Mowich campground. Tolmie lookout from far end of Mowich campground.
All in all a great day all things considered. Easy hike with some rewards along the way (2 lakes and a lookout and some goats). Not bad for an end of October hike.
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