Today I introduced two sons in their 20s to one of my favorite hikes. It got mixed reviews, which I will blame on the weather and them being lame.

FYI: WARNING, there is an in-ground wasp nest about 1.0-1.5 miles into the trail, right in the middle of the path. The hole is visible, about the size of a cantaloupe, left side of trail as you head in. Not a problem on the way out (sleeping bugs), but both sons got stung on the hike back.

Left Seattle area 5:45, had to register for the first time ever just to enter the park (a bit odd, but not terrible--I'll do this in advance next time), and started on the trail by about 7:45. Only 2 other cars in the Owyhigh Lakes parking area (and just one when we left!). Cool, foggy, overcast most of the way, but the trail was great.

84 minutes to the turnoff (just over 4 miles) to the right to start the serious uphill portion (when the grumbling started--our average pace of about 21 min/mile dropped to about 50 min/mile). The boot track upward is the same, largely narrow trenches compacted by hikers for years, some parts are 18-24 inches deep! But a glorious flowery hillside meadow to hike through (the boys tried their hand at yodeling). On the way up it started to clear, but still none of the great surrounding sights that make it so memorable (until the hike out).  We DID see a handful of grouse, however.

At about 2:25 we hit the saddle on the ridge (still no views of Rainier) and turned right for the ridge walk. 20-25 minutes later they were ready to call it quits at the end of the trail (and some peekaboo views) but I told them it continued for another few hundred yards to the left--this is the wonderful scramble that is the highlight of the hike for me, but their least favorite part. To each his own, I guess. We passed one guy coming down, wearing a down jacket (ominous, considering I was in shorts and a T, though both sons were wearing fleece). A few wrong paths and mostly right ones--keep in mind that as you scramble toward the true summit, your tendency it to stay high, but there are usually better paths forward about 20 feet below and you can get blocked on the top of the ridge. Finally we were at the top, snacking, and the mountain made a decent appearance along with the sun. Warm rocks feel nice on frozen hands. But when a cloud blew over like the dementors in Harry Potter, we were suddenly shivering, damp, and cranky. About 2:45 to the summit, 20 minutes atop, and 2:15 back to the car. The trail is great for trotting, but one of us had blisters, new boots, the wrong socks, and a surgically repaired knee, so we went easy downhill averaging about 20 min/mile. In the end, a wonderful day that I hope they will remember more fondly as the years go by.

Vital stats--Distance: 10.35 mi

Ascent: 3,016 ft

Time: Up 2:45, down 2:15

Moving time: 4:35, total time 5:19

Now for the all-important question: How do you pronounce Tamanos?  I've heard both Tuh-MAY-nos (like Camano Island) and TAM-uh-nos. Are there more? Who is right? Probably a discussion for around a campfire.

19aug2024 ~06:20, i was the 2nd to arrive at the Owyhigh Lakes TH psrking. NIce and cool high_40s_F for my O&B Tamanos Mountain, Owyhigh Lakes.

i read a 14aug2024 (Alltrails HIker) reported of a bear encounter "where Tamanos Mountain Trail meets Owyhigh Lakes." And so, for the safety of the (if any) Bear, and myself - i brought along my "Bear deterrents" - a Mini Air Horn, a "Bear Bell", and a Audio recording of "Battle war sound effects : Bombs, Guns and Explosion noises" (saved in to my Cell Phone). Much relieved and happy that i didn't have any bear encounter this morning on-the-trails.

On the way OUT, ~1.2 miles UP, Trail-Runner_A came from behind me. ~0.3 mi further along, Trail-Runner_B came from behind me. When i was approaching Owyhigh Lakes, both these Trail-runners came Down, they having completed their runs. From then on, i saw no other person until after i descended from Tamanos Mountain summit, where at the Saddle, i encountered a young man Day-Hiker. We chatted for a while, and he told me that he saw a bear in the "meadows" below that Saddle. But he kindly assured me that there's nothing to worry about the Bear(s). We bid goodbyes, and parted ways ..

Everyone - the 2 Trail-Runners, the 1 Day-Hiker were nice and friendly.

i am very thankful for ~360 degrees scenic views (including seeing the "top" of Mount Rainier cloud covered), "The Barrier" .. and enjoying the peace and sweet solitude in Tamanos Mountain, and Owyhigh Lakes this morning. 👍😊

Happy Trails Everyone & Be Safe 🙃

video-link :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nSRBnEHvADAzyaYd9

a) on Tamanos Mountain viewing ~West (Mount Rainier)
b) on Tamanos Mountain viewing ~South
c) view of Owyhigh Lakes & "The Barrier"

Did a backpacking/trail running overnight. Just submitting this report to let you know, two Great Horned Owls very aggressively dive bombed my tent at 2am. They hooted for 45 minutes thereafter on either side of my tent. I suspect there is a nest in the Tamanos campsite area. I was in campsite 4. I recorded their calls and a ranger helped me identify after I exited.

What a gorgeous hike! Views abound of Adams, Glacier Peak, the Enchantments, Goat Rocks Wilderness, and of course Rainier. The trail begins at the Owyhigh Lakes trailhead and gently gains elevation until you reach a spur trail leading you to the right and up to Tamanos approximately 0.25-0.5 mile after you pass the lakes. There is no sign at this junction, but there is a very obvious trail leading to the right. You will see Tamanos Mountain before you reach the trail junction to the right side of the trail, opposite the Owyhigh Lakes. Mosquitoes are out, particularly in the meadows but if you keep moving, they are not too bothersome. Only saw a few others on this trail on a weekend, so highly recommend this hike if you’re looking for something near Sunrise but hoping to escape the crowds.

Started out at 7:30 from the trailhead. Three thousand feet and 10 miles to the summit of Tamanos Mt. I made it to the saddle, George went to the top. The trail and the heat (even at 11 only about 68 degrees or so) drained me. Of course being old does not help either. The trail from the lakes to Tamanos is not an easy one. About 1000 feet in a mile plus and you constantly need to watch your step. Almost every other step is forward and up. If you have hiked it you know what I mean.

On the plus side, it is really a great hike. The Governors are really impressive along with the meadows and and the lakes. Once you get over the trail conditions, the huge expanse of meadow below the saddle/peak is quite extraordinary. I have a pic of just a small part of the meadow. If you only saw the Governors and the meadow, the hike would be worth it. The flowers were out in full bloom on our way back along the trail by the lakes. Another plus.

That is the great thing about this park; the Mountain is the anchor but there are so many different features the stand on their own. The Governors, the Palisades, Yellow Cliffs, Elysian Fields, Grand Park, Indian Bar and the list goes on.

Another great hike and the total number of people we saw, none until we were at the lakes on our way down and then only a total of 5 for the whole day. On our way out there were about 30 or so cars parked beyond the ticket booth. We deduced since it was 2:55 they were waiting till 3 to enter without a time stamp.