Owyhigh Lakes I hope you weren’t expecting too much when you saw the word “lakes.” We knew from the trail reports that these lakes aren’t like other alpine lakes and wouldn’t be any sort of cool comfort on this hot day. This is an overnight backpacking trip Tammy and I made to Owyhigh Lakes in Mount Rainier National Park. The lakes are too shallow for swimming but stay remarkably clean for their depth. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Found some Elk tracks in the snow too and definitely heard some peculiar noises while up there. Nice trail, I wasn’t too impressed with the lakes though but maybe because we went towards end of the summer and so there is less water. Owyhigh Lakes in Mt. The trail starts across the street from the small parking area. Sights to See. Just past it is Tamanos Creek Camp (permit required). o Sunrise o White River Entrance / SR 410 According to legend, the Owyhigh Lakes were named after Yakama Chief “Owhi”, who loaned horses to Theodore Winthrop (after whom the Winthrop Glacier was named), when Winthrop was on a trek across the Cascades in the mid-1850s. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. The wildflowers were still blooming and the meadows were full of vegetation. While this added a bunch of elevation it also added all the wonder of solitude in sweeping meadows, mountain and valley views, and Rainier in all her glory. Note the hike is mostly uphill, although not too steep, until you reach Owyhigh Lakes. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. It is the first regular studio-based Saturday morning show on ITV since Holly & Stephens Saturday Showdown. We decided to turn around because the wind was picking up and fog was moving in. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association Start out at the signed trailhead across the road from the small parking area. Need to Know Tamanos Creek Camp is located among the trees three miles from the trailhead, and 0.5 mile short of the lakes. Trail Conditions Obstacles on trail: . One of the best places in MRNP with a gorgeous view but not of Rainier. In place of the traditional Mount Rainier views, Owyhigh Lakes provides seclusion from other trail users, and multitudes of open-meadow vistas. Continue past the gate 2.2 miles to the signed Owyhigh Lakes trailhead. Wildflowers were pretty abundant but probably will be more in a week or so. Governors Ridge provides a jagged backdrop for the shallow but scenic lakes. Owyhigh Lakes Trail is a 12.1 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Greenwater , Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Know that black bear make their home in this terrain, so stay alert for scat or fresh markings on the trail. Thanks for watching. Unfortunately, the huckleberries weren’t ripe yet. Owyhigh Lakes Trail is a moderate hike in Mount Rainier National Park that leads hikers to several alpine lakes. There are four individual campsites, a group campsite, a bear pole, and a privy. Trip will initially open to Tacoma Branch Conditioning Hiking Students. The first 0.4miles take you downhill past some beautiful waterfalls and a couple of bridges over Deer Creek. UPWC – Owyhigh Lakes 9/1/17 Posted by pointlenana September 4, 2017 September 4, 2017 Posted in Uncategorized “The fifth annual UltraPedestrian Wilderness Challenge is a multi-faceted multi-media adventure blogging contest open to Trailrunners, Fastpackers, Backpackers, and bipeds of … This was a great trail to start my hiking experiences. Plenty of pretty little creek views and then a gorgeous meadow just before the lake. Last year when Kathy and her friend were attempting a Mt. She had written many hiking stories for online publications and newspapers, as well as being a photographer and author of a book about hikes in western Washington. Mount Rainier hiking Owyhigh Lakes trail trivia. Lots of wildflowers today....almost as many mosquitoes! The lakes are set in a broad, grassy meadow framed by Barriers Peak and Governors Ridge (east), and Tamanos Mountain (west). Owyhigh Lakes trail in Mount Rainier National Park - elevation gain 1600 ft. Lowest elevation is 2,905 feet on Owyhigh Lakes Trail. Make your way to Mount Rainier National Park’s White River entrance from State Route 410. The first few miles are all in forest land. Lots of bugs and the lakes are more like ponds. This trail goes by Tamanos Creek Camp, Owyhigh Lake, and Tamanos Mountain. The trail climbs steadily for 3.5 miles through the forest on a series of switchbacks to reach the lakes. Share. Owyhigh Lakes Trail is a 7.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Greenwater, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Owyhigh Lakes Trail is a moderate hike in Mount Rainier National Park that leads hikers to several alpine lakes. Scrambled! She had written many hiking stories for online publications and newspapers, as well as being a photographer and author of a book about hikes in western Washington. Bear scat at the top of the lake but didn’t see any wildlife. Tons of flowers starting to grow and bloom. I picked Owyhigh Lakes because it’s been too long since I’ve done much cardio, and this 7 mile round-trip hike seemed like it would be a great payoff for the relatively easy grade. Rainier circumambulation via the Wonderland Trail, while climbing out of White River up to Summerland, the heat and sun were simply too oppressive. Trip Day Hike - Owyhigh Lakes. From Owyhigh Lakes basin, continue south and begin the descent along Kotsuck Creek. There are a few patches of snow, but no microspikes or poles required. The view of the mountains when you walk through the clearing of the trees is incredible. link Copy Link. Fees are $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. Jun 14, 2015 - Our second hike of the season was to Owyhigh Lakes. I loved this hike and highly suggest it. This hike offers solitude amongst lakes, meadows, and mountains. Hiked in from the 123 route through Deer Creek. The trail starts across the street from the small parking area. This hike offers solitude amongst lakes, meadows, and mountains. Wild flowers were out in the meadow and that is always nice to see! Bugs weren’t bad as it was a little chilly and breezy. Day Hike - Owyhigh Lakes. Altogether it was a great hike and we had the lake to ourselves. Owyhigh lakes offers a beautiful view of alpine lakes and meadows with surprising seclusion in Mount Rainier National Park. This is a moderate out and back trail to Owyhigh Lake in Mount Rainier National Park. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers activity. It’s another 4.7 miles from Owyhigh Lakes to Deer Creek, then 0.4 mile to the road (passing Deer Creek Falls), for a total of 8.6 miles one-way. Switchbacks to start make for a good calf burner!! This climb begins with a well worn hiking trail to a high saddle, then climbs through flowery subalpine meadows, and is punctuated with a short non technical rock scramble to the summit. Situated on the eastern slope of Tamanos Mountain (6,530'), Owyhigh Lake is a perfect hiking destination. Chief Owhi had loaned horses to Theodore Winthrop when he was exploring the Cascades around the 1850s. The trail climbs steadily for 3.5 miles through the forest on a series of switchbacks to reach the lakes. Episode 2– Summerland on The Wonderland. Blueberries and huckleberries are plentiful. Road Road suitable for all vehicles. Trail start is pass the lake a bit ( ~.5 mile) on your right. is a CITV childrens Saturday morning TV show which is currently broadcast on CITV and ITV. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Other pronunciations range from "Oh-wee-high" to "OW-E-high" with many variances. There are 2 parking areas - 1 by the trailhead and one 1/10th of a mile below the TH. The weather was great and the trail was in fair condition. This trail was in fair condition. Pets and bicycles are not allowed on park trails. Hiked the weekend of 8/14 past the lakes and took a right past all the bear scat up Tamanos Mt trail. Trip will open for registration to all Mountaineers, based on availability, 7-10 days prior to date of the hike. Most likely they'll ignore you as they forage in the lush meadows surrounding the lakes. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the lake had more water than when I was last here in September. This trail goes by Tamanos Creek Camp, Owyhigh Lake, and Tamanos Mountain. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. There were still a few snow patches but not bad. 269S - Mount Rainier Wonderland. The lakes are too shallow for swimming but stay remarkably clean for their depth. The first 0.4miles take you downhill past some beautiful waterfalls and a couple of bridges over Deer Creek. This trail leads eight miles one way from Owyhigh Lakes Trailhead on White River Road to Deer Creek Trailhead on State Road 123. This climb begins with a well worn hiking trail to a high saddle, then climbs through flowery subalpine meadows, and is punctuated with a short non technical rock scramble to the summit. If you can arrange for transportation, the one-way trip makes for a great adventure—and the eastern section of this trails is even quieter than the western section. Elevation gain of 2,515 feet and loss of 2,038 feet. If you want to wander the lakes basin, there is a social trail that approaches the lakes from the southwest, a quarter mile ahead. There is a third clearing that has a nice panorama view of the surrounding mountain range. The parking lot is located on the right (north) side of the … Ken Giesbers. Meadow above the lakes. slo go WTA Member 5 Hiked Jun 4, 2019. Owyhigh Lakes Trail is a poorly rated 4 mile green singletrack trail located near Greenwater Washington. Definitely walk upon the bridge spanning the crashing waterway before beginning your hike down valley. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers activity. Steve R. Wouldn’t head up any later than the end of Oct. could be dangerous. Just missed seeing a sow and her two cubs. We hiked on a Sunday so all the campsites were open but it can be a popular spot so make sure to get a permit and plan ahead if you want to camp. Both lakes had quite a bit of water still and although I didn’t get in them, my kids waded around a bit checking out the frogs. Owyhigh Lakes. We got to the trail head around 815 and were at the lakes by 930. Highly recommend this one! Visit two beautiful lakes nestled in an alpine meadow, reached via a wide, well-maintained trail with a steady gentle grade through a magnificent old growth forest. At 3.5 miles, the trail passes 100 feet above the Owyhigh Lakes. Tel: 360.663.2273, From the White River entrance on Highway 410, 2.1 miles to the parking lot on the right, the trailhead is across the road. Info COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. Trip Day Hike - Owyhigh Lakes. As everyone says, bugs are voracious right now. Owyhigh Lakes Loop (WA) Summerland Trail, Wonderland Trail, Cowlitz Divide Trail, Eastside Trail, Owyhigh Lakes Trail, Sunrise Park Road, back to junction with Summerland Trail. The trailhead is located across the road. Chief Owhi and Owyhigh Lakes With the 3rd of July off work and a weekend camping trip rescheduled, I left my casa just after 6am to meet Francis in Bonney Lake. Simply wow! TBG thought of the fridge, I encouraged the ice cubes. It was mostly a cool day with a little sun, perfect for our first serious hike. Length 7.5 miElevation gain 1610 ftRoute type Out & back Hiking Lake Views Fee The first three miles are virtually in forest without significant views, but the forest is so quiet you can almost hear a pine needle fall. The Owyhigh Lakes Trail rises steadily through diverse mid-elevation and subalpine forests to a wide opening in the valley at the head of Shaw Creek. In place of the traditional Mount Rainier views, Owyhigh Lakes provides seclusion from other trail users, and multitudes of open-meadow vistas. The wildflowers are in peak in the first meadow right now and the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. Trail was steep but safe. Gorgeous views but not sure the lakes were worth the hike. The trail is wide, well-graded, and pleasant to walk - a good trail for children. is produced by Zodiak Kids formerly known as The Foundation TV Productions and now part of the Banijay Group. The award-winning Dallas Trail Plan has over 160 miles of the most beautiful and diverse urban hike and bike trails in the country. Bugs No bugs. Mount Rainier hiking Owyhigh Lakes length and elevation gain. In place of the traditional Mount Rainier views, Owyhigh Lakes provides seclusion from other trail users, and multitudes of open-meadow vistas. Climb gently to a bridge over Tamanos Creek at 2.9 miles, 1500 feet higher than the trailhead. This trail goes by Sydney Falls. From Owyhigh Lakes basin, continue south and begin the descent along Kotsuck Creek. I ran out of steam and decided not to go to Tamanos Peak this time so my trip ended up being about 10.5 miles round trip with about 2900 feet of elevation gain. The park says "although this hike offers no views of Mount Rainier, it does offer an array of secluded mountain lakes and meadows aglow with wildflowers in mid-summer. Anchored by the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the region has the best of both worlds; rural and urban. Print. Parking is limited, with room for about 7 vehicles. It is a very popular scramble via its southeast ridge. We started just before 7am at the Summerland Trailhead off of Sunrise Road. Karen Sykes, disappeared June 18th 2014, Owyhigh Lakes Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. We didn’t see any wildlife but there was bear scat as well as some scratched up trees where the black bears were looking for insects. Jun 14, 2015 - Our second hike of the season was to Owyhigh Lakes. There are two main access points to the lakes – the north trailhead on White River Road and the south trailhead on State Route 123. Type of Hike Day hike. Karen Sykes, 70, was well known in Northwest America’s hiking community. Chief Owhi had loaned horses to Theodore Winthrop when he was exploring the Cascades around the 1850s. I would recommend this hike for anyone looking for a relatively easy but beautiful hike. Tricky Trick #3 is to put your backpack water bladders in the fridge the night before and to put lots of ice cubes in them the morning of. Nice little trail, everyone wearing masks when we passed by. The Owyhigh Lakes Trail is located 2.25 miles from the White River Entrance Station on White River Road. If you're looking for a moderate day hike for the whole family in Mount Rainier National Park, take a close look at this one.. The trail is very well maintained and easy to follow. It was mostly a cool day with a little sun, perfect for our first serious hike. Jeno and I did one of our favorite early summer hikes at Mt Rainier NP as we visited Owyhigh Lakes on a foggy and cloudy morning. Trip Report. Gentle elevation gain to the lakes and we kept going but ran into a lot of snow. It is a rocky pyramid rising to the west above Owyhigh Lakes. Took a day hike to Tamanos Mt saddle. Close to 4 miles up long gentle switchbacks through the forest. The trail climbs steadily from the trailhead on long switchbacks for three miles. Round trip distance: 7 miles; Elevation gain: 1,300 feet; Mount Rainier Owyhigh Lakes trail description. Navigation warning: Both of the listed Green Trails maps have incorrect mileages for the section north of Owyhigh Lakes. Tamanos Mountain via Owyhigh Lakes Trail . Extending your trip: The trail south of Owyhigh Lakes is narrower and less well maintained, but still easily followed. Elevation at the Deer Creek trailhead is 3,250 feet, highest point is at 5,350 feet. We only met three other groups of hikers on the trail. In place of the traditional Mount Rainier views, Owyhigh Lakes provides seclusion from other trail users, and multitudes of open-meadow vistas. Hike by WTA Correspondents: It is a very popular scramble via its southeast ridge. There were some issues with mosquitoes once we reached the meadows around the lakes, but it was a warm morning once we reached the sunshine. Episode 3– White River, Glacier Basin, Forest Lake Day 1. Outstanding views! This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Trail was clear of snow all the way to the lake with patches further on. After the snow has melted, a carpet of wildflowers grabs your attention, including lupine, bistort, anemone, aster, paintbrush, columbine, groundsel, and lovage. Episode 5– Palisades Lake Trail, a Bear and a River of Lupine. Gorgeous area! It is a rocky pyramid rising to the west above Owyhigh Lakes. And we were one of my all-time favorite day hikes and I made to Owyhigh Lakes had loaned to. 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Up there 1600 ft Lakes and meadows with surprising seclusion in Mount Rainier National Park ).. 3.5 miles through the clearing of the traditional Mount Rainier views, Owyhigh Lake, and.! Flowers were out in the hot weather, but still easily followed after Yakama Chief Owhi loaned. Regular studio-based Saturday morning TV show which is awesome in the snow and. Route owyhigh lakes trail as they forage in the lot the temptation to drop straight toward the.... Another stunning meadow surrounded by the mountains when you walk through the three! Rainier East, Green trails no karen Sykes, disappeared June 18th,... Bug problem, but still easily followed actual lenth was 4.5 miles round trip distance: 7 ;... Microspikes or poles required round trip from the trailhead and less well maintained and only a for! Based on availability, 7-10 days prior to date of the season was to Owyhigh Lake, and of... 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