Owyhigh Lakes Trail
Trailhead LocationDrive through the White River Entrance and proceed two miles to a parking area on the right. The Owyhigh Lake Trailhead is located across the road. Trail DescriptionThe trail climbs steadily for 3.5 miles through the forest on a series of switchbacks to reach Owyhigh Lakes. Return back to White River, or the trail continues and descends down into the Ohanapecosh River Valley where it connects to the Eastside Trail at Deer Creek, an additional 4.9 miles. From Deer Creek, a trail (0.4 miles) connects to SR 123 where a second vehicle can be parked. According to legend, these lakes were named after Yakima 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. Along the TrailAlthough 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. The jagged cliffs of Governors Ridge rise high above the lakes to the east while Tamanos Mountain lies directly west. BackpackingTamanos Creek Camp is located among the trees three miles from the trailhead, 0.5 miles short of the lakes. Although the creek is often dry by late summer, Owyhigh Lakes provide a reliable source of water. Permits are required for camping. Permits and current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Trail Regulations
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Last updated: September 26, 2024