We drove up to Mt Rainier National Park to hike up to Owyhigh Lakes and the saddle of Tamanos Mountain today, 9.3 miles round trip with 2,600 ft of gain. We saw 5 backpackers hiking out as we started up the trail through the forest, and about 12 others as we hiked back down the trail, only meeting one hiker on his way up as we enjoyed our lunch at the saddle. A very peaceful day. View of Owyhigh Lakes on our way up. The lakes are about 3.5 miles from the trailhead.
We saw lots of pasqueflower seedbeds in the meadows.
view looking up towards Tamanos Mountain above the lakes
And we found a few ripe huckleberries.
The spur trail up to the saddle of Tamanos Mountain is 900 feet of gain in 0.6 mile, steep!
Cowlitz Chimneys as seen along the trail
As we got closer to the saddle, we saw a black bear above watching us. (zoom photo)
We waited for the bear to leave the area before continuing up the trail.
As we gained elevation, we looked behind us to the south and saw the Goat Rocks, Mt Adams and Mt Hood. (zoom)
zoom of the Goat Rocks
zoom of Mt Adams
zoom of Mt Hood
Paintbrush, bistort and purple asters in the upper meadow
view of Governors Ridge to the east
nearing the saddle
Heather at the saddle and a fabulous view of Mt Rainier
Wildflowers and a lovely view of Mt Rainier on the saddle of Tamanos Mountain made for a wonderful lunch spot.
We enjoyed the wildflowers and views as we made our way back down the spur trail.
Back to Owyhigh Lakes below Governors Ridge
View of one of the lakes by the shore
looking up towards Tamanos Mountain from the trail by the lakesome of the wildflowers seen along the trail today:
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