Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake
1 week ago
Lookout views, but road closed
1 this month · 50 reports
Summit Lake
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 week ago
The road to Summit Lake is rough, requiring high clearance vehicles, and described as a "gravel gauntlet". The trail itself presents numerous downed trees, particularly at the beginning, and some sections involve challenging rock scrambling and narrow ledges. However, once past the initial obstacles, the trail to the lake and around it is in good condition. Fall colors are beginning to appear as of September 14.
Generated from 36 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Summit Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road is described as rough and a 'gravel gauntlet', recommended for high clearance vehicles only as of September 14. A Subaru Crosstrek made it to the trailhead, but with difficulty.
Yes, there are numerous large downed trees across the trail, especially near the beginning. Some sections involve challenging rock scrambling and narrow ledges.
No, the trail was reported as snow-free as of September 14 and July 11.
No bugs were reported by hikers on either September 14 or July 11.
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Wildflowers in bloom and forest vistas
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Naches Peak Loop
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Fall colors are spectacular
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
Once again I took to the disastrous road up to the Clearwater Trail. We looked at weather reports and it was supposed to be sunny until 2pm. We packed in pack rafts and planned on a nice lake float da...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
Summit Lake is most definitely accessible from the Clearwater Trailhead. This trail is an ode to all that we lost with the closing of the Fairfax bridge. The road from Sunset Lake Summer Camp to the...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
We rode our bikes up to Summit Lake, and thanks to the road closure had it all to ourselves! It's about 21 miles to bike in and the final 5 miles are a bit of a slog, but it's fun to be up there with ...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
Summit Lake view point via Clearwater trail from 7726 through Rooster Comb.My tracker showed 7.3 miles round trip and 2,800 elevation gain. This trail is isolated, hard, sketchy and dangerous at times...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
Summary:A successful scramble of Rooster Comb Ridge to Summit Lake with plans for Bearhead East, but road conditions and timing changed the equation. The ridge remains passable and scenic, with a few ...
Older12 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
A great alternative to the traditional Summit Lake hike. I’ll spare the wayfinding directions (the previous reviews got us there no problem). The road to the Clearwater trailhead is definitely worse t...
Older12 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
Quick overnight to explore Celery Meadow and the condition of roads and trail. I included Summit Lake as I'm sure many of you are trying to find a way in.From the coke ovens followed 7710/7720 11.9 mi...
Older17 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
SR165/FAIRFAX BRIDGE OVER CARBON RIVER IS NOW PERMANENTLY CLOSED.Unfortunately WSDOT's worst fears were realized as the support columns for the bridge are actually starting to buckle, forcing a perman...
Older17 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
Sad news-- Fairfax Bridge (SR-161) is closed indefinitely. No access to Carbon River area, including Summit Lakehttps://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2025/sr-165-carbon-river-fairfax-bridge-closed-until-fu...
Older19 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
Road to trail is rough (high clearance strongly recommended) until about 2 miles from trailhead, then became impassable due to snow/ice. In the lead up to trailhead it was nice to have microspikes but...