Tamanos Mountain, Owyhigh Lakes — Saturday, Sep. 9, 2006

Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon

This is a scramble that was recommended to us a couple of years ago by Hiker Jim, and it was a great choice for today. The first 3.5 miles to Owyhigh Lakes (more like big ponds) goes very quickly. From the lakes there are two easy ways to the summit of Tamamos. Approximately .3 miles South of the lakes is a good boot trail which takes you all the way to the summit block. This was our descent route. But on the way up we chose the route in the ""Beckey Guide"". From the lakes we headed west up an open slope, then contoured up and southerly. There was a faint boot path occasionally. About 2/3 of the way up we crossed the well used path that starts south of the lakes, and followed that northwesterly to a saddle, then northerly to the rocky summit. The final 30 feet is an easy scramble on good rock. Last weekend when we were at Mt. Adams the visibility was terrible, but today we could see all the way to Mt. Hood, Mt. Stuart, and Three Fingers. This is a nice trip, and would make a fine early season snow scramble.