Good Early Season Hike

This is an ideal hike for early season or late fall when other higher trails are under snow.  The trail's name implies you will be hiking to a higher altitude peak but you will actually skirt Paul Peak to the Mowich River.  The trail through virgin timber has a number of vistas with breath taking views of Mt. Rainier.

From the trailhead, you will first descend 250 feet to Meadow Creek.  After the creek you ascend 600 feet as you round Paul Peak before descending 1,200 feet to join the Wonderland Trail at 3 miles from the trailhead.  As the Paul Peak Trail joins the Wonderland Trail, you have a choice of taking the left fork to Mowich Lake or the right fork to Mowich River Camp. 

The trail to Mowich Lake is 3.4 miles from the Paul Peak intersection.  The road to Mowich Lake is open from July to October.  Leave a car at the Mowich Lake parking lot to save yourself a round trip.

The additional half mile hike from the Wonderland Trail intersection to Mowich River Camp will take you across the North Mowich River to camp sites approximately one quarter mile beyond the river crossing.  The camp site has a toilet and a 3-sided shelter. 

	Typical crossing
Mowich River
Shelter at Mowich River camp