Owyhigh Lakes Trail
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Table of contents
The scenic Owyhigh Lakes Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is a moderate trail that leads you to two pretty blue lakes nestled underneath an impressive mountain ridge. This trail also provides the opportunity to summit nearby Tamanos Mountain if you’re looking to add some challenge. Enjoy these gem-blue lakes in the midst of a forest clearing for a pleasant outing in the park.
Route Description for Owyhigh Lakes Trail
The hike to Owyhigh Lakes is a pretty, less busy option in Mount Rainier National Park. These two lakes underneath a dramatic mountain ridge make for a perfect picnic stop! You can also continue past the lakes to summit Tamanos Mountain if you’d like to extend your adventure.
Begin from the signed trailhead across the road from the parking area. It’s a nice trail and the elevation gain is gradual. You’ll be hiking through the trees for the first portion of the trail. At 1.0 km, you can see over the Shaw Creek drainage. A bridge appears at 4.7 km before the campsite.
A half-mile past the campsite, the forest gives way to meadows. The meadows are absolutely filled with flowers during midsummer. At 5.6 km, the trail passes the lakes from above, where you’ll be treated to views of the deep blue water and Governors Ridge above. It’s not recommended to go into the actual meadow that holds the lakes from the ridge, as it’s fragile land; look for the trail that heads to the lakes from the southwest to avoid trampling the area.
From this lookout, either retrace your steps back to the lot or continue to a Y-junction where the trail to Tamanos Mountain branches off to the right if you’re going to attempt the summit.
Getting to the Owyhigh Lakes Trail Trailhead
To get to the trailhead for the Owyhigh Lakes Trail from the White River entrance to the park, drive 3.5 km into the park to the signed trailhead. The parking area is small, so arrive early if you can.
Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
Tamanos Creek Camp
When to do:
June-October
Pets allowed:
No
Family friendly:
Older Children only
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Owyhigh Lakes Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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