Owyhigh Lakes Trail
The parking lot is fairly small and often empty. That should be your first clue that this trail doesn’t receive a lot of foot traffic. Nearby at the Summerland Trailhead, cars are often wedged into every possible parking space available. Consider this hike as a nice alternative when Summerland’s carrying capacity has been reached. One of the nicest draws to this trail is the chance for real solitude. And by mid-autumn, solitude is almost assured.
The trail enters a spectacular primeval forest and almost immediately begins to climb. The path is wide and the tread is smooth. The way makes some sweeping switchbacks via a moderate grade. In other words, the climb isn’t too bad. While hiking through ancient cathedral forests are pretty quiet once varied thrushes have piped down or moved on—that’s not the case here. You’ll constantly be reminded that you left the White River Valley behind. And when autumn rains have contributed their share to this glacier-fed river, it roars.
At the first switchback you catch a little glimpse of the rocky Shaw Creek drainage. Owyhigh Lakes are high above feeding this creek. Keep hiking upward winding beneath a luxuriant canopy. The way crosses a small creek twice and makes a couple of more wide switchbacks. Be sure to admire some of the monstrous yellow cedars along the way. At 3.0 miles near a log crossing over Tamanos Creek, reach a spur for the Tamanos Creek backcountry camp. This is a quiet spot to spend the night (permits required) especially if you just want to get away from it all.
In some years the small creek may run dry by late summer, forcing you to make a half-plus mile haul to the lakes for your water supply. Certainly this year with our abundant rainfall, lack of water is not an issue. Tamanos Creek starts from the slopes of 6790-foot Tamanos Mountain. Experienced scramblers shouldn’t have any problem negotiating this steep but non-technical peak. The mountain derives its name from the Chinook Jargon meaning a guardian or familiar spirit. It can also mean magic, luck, fortune, or supernatural. Spend enough time hiking around Mount Rainier and you’re sure to sense the presence of a Tamanos or two.
2019AugustBackcountryBackpackingCampingMount Rainier National ParkMt RainierMt Rainier National ParkNational ParkNational Park ServiceNorth AmericaOutdoorOutdoor RecreationOutsideOwyhigh Lakes TrailPacific NorthwestParkSummerU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Park ServiceU.S.A.USAUnited StatesUnited States Department of the InteriorUnited States of AmericaWashingtonWashington State
