Tamanos Mountain, Owyhigh Lakes — Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008

Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon

Beautiful forest hike to meadows in full bloom. Few bugs. Blustery ridge walk to Tamanos Pk where we watched the clouds envelope Mt. Rainier and pour rain on Sunrise. Fantastic views all around. Gusts so strong, I was almost knocked off my feet at one point. Not much wind once we descended the ridge and entered the forest. Didn't start raining until we reached the cars around 3:30 pm. 10 miles, 3,000 feet gain, about 6 hours round trip. Saw only a few people on the trail within a mile of the trailhead, otherwise had the place to ourselves. I'm looking forward to going back some day with T and S to explore Govenor's Ridge.