Trip Report
Tamanos Mountain & Owyhigh Lakes Trail
We had a beautiful, sunny day to scramble Tamanos from the northern end of the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. A black bear ambled across the road while we were putting our boots on at the trailhead--what a way to celebrate National Black Bear Day!
Danielle Graham
- Sat, Jun 7, 2025
- Tamanos Mountain, Governors Ridge, Barrier Peak & Buell Peak
- Scrambling
- Successful
-
- Road suitable for all vehicles
-
The restrooms at the White River Entrance were closed with a sign that said to use the pit toilets at Loop B of the White River Campground.
For the first 2.5 miles, the Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from the Northern Terminus) is in great shape. MRNP staff had been in recently with a chain saw clearing blowdowns off the trail.
Some of the bridges are not quite straight after the winter. All felt sturdy enough, but double check before you line up your trip of 12 to take a group photo on one!
From about 2.5 to 3 miles the trail was covered by hard snow in a few sections with bad runout, and in the morning, we put on our helmets and used ice axes to cross them. We didn't put on our microspikes, but others might have wished to.
From 3 miles in until the start of the first false summit, we were entirely on snow.
This was a last-minute plan for a sunny spring Saturday, after one of us had a late night flight on Friday from JFK. The day started off on a great note, as we noted a bear near the side of the road, as we were sitting on our tailgate, putting our boots on.
The first 2.5 miles flew by, with a nicely groomed and switchbacked trail that gained about 500 feet of elevation in every mile. There were lots of lowland flowers blooming, including vanilla leaf, stream-side violets, trillium, and pacific oak ferns.
From 3 miles on, we were on snow the entire way until we reach the first of two false summits. We were happy to have digital navigation aids for the terrain between Tamanos Creek and the the lakes.
The bridge across Tamanos Creek was a little crooked. The log was slippery, so holding onto the bridge railing and keeping feet on the snow was a better option. Tamanos Camp was completely snowed under.
The lakes were beautiful, with bright blue water and floating ice on their surfaces, framed by Buell and Barrier peaks in the background.
Shortly after the lakes, we turned northwest to gain the ridge to Tamanos, taking turn kicking steps for about 1300 feet of elevation gain.
When we attained the ridge, we had a great view of Banshee Peak, the Servant Glacier, and Mount Rainier.
We stayed on snow as much as we could heading north up the ridge. Once we got on the rock, we followed the advice of earlier trip reporters and stayed on the west side of the false summits. On the way over, we took a lower route, and on the way back, we took the higher one. Andrew preferred the lower, as it was more efficient traveling as a party. I preferred the upper as there was less loose rock. Pick your poison!
At the summit, it was hard to decide which way to face while we ate lunch, with 360 degree views all around.
We enjoyed some very healthy looking whitebark pine, yellow pine chipmunks, and a pika.
We also saw yellow mountain heather, phlox, and (sorry, out of focus) pussytoes at the summit.
After lunch the snow was soft enough for some great glissading and plunge stepping back down to the lakes.
One last glissade!
We stopped at the lakes to filter water. We were both pretty hot and thirsty by then, and we decided that one of the lakes looked like a blue martini with a champagne float on top. Cold mountain water tasted just as good!
Our total stats for the day were 12 miles and a bit over 3,000 feet of elevation gain. This scramble was really enjoyable, both for the incredible views, but also for the chance to use all the scrambling skills.
P.S. This little critter hitched a ride to Enumclaw with us. Time for tick checks.
