Mowich Lake

Ashford, Washington

5.0/5

based on 1 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.56 miles

Elevation Gain

92 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Andy Merkel

A wonderful, yet somewhat quiet place in Mt. Rainier National Park!

No need to for an entire day hike to enjoy wonderful reflections, crystal clear water, and beautiful scenery a few hundred feet from the parking lot!

Park at the Mowich Lake Campground parking lot and follow signs for the Wonderland trail. You will begin your hike on the south side of the lake and follow it clockwise prior to starting to ascend onto the Tolmie Peak Trail (if you've gotten to this trail junction, turn around). This is approximately a 1.5 mile out and back trail from the main beach at the lake.

You will find many people swimming, hiking, posing for photos, and watching as the colors light up the surrounding mountains.

Mowich Lake Road is closed during the Winter, so plan accordingly!

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Features

Camping

Photography

Hiking

Bathrooms

Beach

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Lake

Picnic Area

River

Romantic

Scenic

Swimming Hole

Reviews

Nathan Y

Mowich Lake

03/09/21

very popular spot, especially since it is only open a fraction of the year. either get there very early or in late afternoon after others have started to leave or you will be parking far down the road and starting your hike much sooner than expected. the lake is fairly large(biggest in mt rainier) and is extremely clear(I think it has the record for secchi disk clarity in WA). swimming or paddleboarding can be a little eery since you can see so deep and view the huge logs that pile the bottom. There are some fish but no stocking and remains of crawdads are sometimes visible so maybe catch your lunch or dinner. If the campground is full there is camping at the Orv trailhead just outside the park boundary.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Mowich Lake

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike to Eunice Lake in Mt. Rainier NP

Hike to Spray Park

Hike to Tolmie Peak's Fire Lookout

Hike to Rainier NP's Ranger Falls

Hike Bearhead Mountain

Hike to Summit Lake

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