Tamanos Mountain, Owyhigh Trail

Activity Notes

PEAK and ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Tamanos Mountain (elevation  6790) is a rocky pyramid rising to the west above Owyhigh Lakes. It is a very popular scramble via its southeast ridge. This climb begins with a well worn hiking trail to a high saddle, then climbs through flowery subalpine meadows which turn to fall colors.  It is punctuated with a short bit of rock  to the summit. It offers a fairly easy ascent with just a little  rock scrambling, and spectacular views of the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park, including Little Tahoma Peak, Cowlitz Chimneys, and Governor’s Ridge.

Take the Owyhigh Lake trail for 3.5 miles from the White River road to Owyhigh Lake. From the lakes, ascend west and turn south to avoid cliffs and gain the SE ridge. Follow the bare crest north to the summit (climbers path and scrambling). Time up 4 hours, time down 3 hours. Return to cars by mid-later afternoon.

PACK-IN DIRECTIONS and MEETING LOCATION:

We will meet at the Owyhigh lake trailhead at 9: 00 AM Saturday Oct 6.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

From Portland, take I-5 north and head east at Exit 68.  Follow Highway 12 east for about 73 miles. You pass through Packwood at 65 miles. Turn north on Highway 123 and follow it for 17 miles to Cayuse Pass. At Cayuse pass, Turn left (North) onto highway 410 and follow it for 3.5 miles. Take a sharp left turn on White River Highway to the White River Ranger Station in the Park. Drive 2 miles down the White River road to the Owyhigh Lake trailhead (165 miles from Portland). Allow 3.5 hours drive time. Suggested driver donation is $32 per passenger.

CAMPING

Both Cougar Rock or Ohanapecosh campgrounds are open,  but the latter is quite a bit closer to the climb.   This is where I plan to camp Friday (and Saturday) nights.

WEATHER and CANCELLATION

I will keep and eye on the weather and will notify you of cancellation by the Thursday prior by 6PM.  If you do not hear from me, assume the climb is going as planned.