Summerland - Panhandle Gap
2 days ago
Mountain goats frequent the gap
9 this month · 65 reports
Owyhigh Lakes
Mount Rainier Area
updated 3 days ago
The Owyhigh Lakes trail is in excellent condition, with reports from late September indicating it is snow-free and suitable for all vehicles. While the peak fall colors have passed, the area still offers very pretty scenery. Wildflowers remain a highlight, with lupine, paintbrush, and asters noted September 10 and July 26. Some reports mention a few blowdowns early in the season July 20 and July 5, but these appear to have been cleared by late September. Wildlife sightings are common, including marmots, deer, elk, and bears, August 23, August 6, August 2, July 20, and July 5. Bugs are generally not a significant issue, especially with a breeze, though some found them an annoyance at the lakes, July 13. Parking at the trailhead is limited, with only a few spots available.
Generated from 36 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Owyhigh Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road to the Owyhigh Lakes trailhead is reported to be suitable for all vehicles as of September 22. This has been consistent across multiple reports from July through September. No reports indicate any issues with road access.
Most recent reports from late September indicate the trail is in good condition with no obstacles. Earlier reports in July mentioned a few blowdowns, but trail crews had cleared them by September 22.
Bugs are generally not a significant problem, especially with a breeze. While some hikers found them an annoyance at the lakes in July, more recent reports from late September state there are no bugs.
Recent reports mention sightings of marmots, deer, elk, and bears. A mother bear with two cubs and a larger bear were seen in August 6, and marmots were observed in September 22. Bear scat was also noted in July 20.
More in Mount Rainier Area
Crystal Lakes
2 days ago
Fall color arriving at upper lake
8 this month · 48 reports
Burroughs Mountain
6 days ago
Mountain views and a chance to see goats
5 this month · 93 reports
Tamanos Mountain
3 days ago
Marmot couples seen, bear activity reported
5 this month · 18 reports
White River to Sunrise
yesterday
Mountain goats spotted on rocky peaks
3 this month · 16 reports
Glacier Basin
1 week ago
Overgrowth obscures the trail in places
2 this month · 50 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh3 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
No line at the park entrance at 10:15am this Tuesday. The parking lot only has eight spots and we were number six. No toilet at TH but there are plenty of trees just down the service road.We met a few...
Fresh3 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Nice little hike that you can tune to your liking and the weather -- up to the lakes, the gap or all the way to the summit of Tamanos.
Fresh4 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
My hiking group had a great fall hike to Owyhigh Lakes today. Two cars were in the Th lot when we pulled inat 9:10. It was 52 degrees with sunny skies. This trailhead has no toilet so stop at the entr...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Owyhigh Lakes is another hike that I get to check off the list- an ever growing list that fluctuates year in and year out. As soon as I check off some long standing hikes, I find myself adding more an...
Recent2 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Tamanos was our target but Georg tweaked his back loading 14 bags of mulch. I always ask for help. I am old and am not to proud to let the younger people help. That is what they are there for.Usually ...
Recent2 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
No bugs, bears, or berries! Lovely cool day with some clouds. No line at the White River entrance at 10:15, probably because the road is closed to cars past WH Campground. Very quiet on the trail: s...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Leaving a trip report here because of the note on the page that says:8.7.26: Trails and roads in the White River & Sunrise section of the park are closed due to the Grand Park 2 fire.The lakes are sti...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Enjoy these trails, but be bear aware and perhaps hike with a group!The northern approach to Owyhigh Lakes is a pleasant, moderately pitched, and well-maintained trail. Most wildflowers in the lake ba...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Tacoma Mountaineers Hiking and Backpackinggroup.LOGISTICS: Met at USFS Enumclaw to discuss car swap and key exchange. Drove to the Mather Memorial sign just adjacent to the Sunrise White River entranc...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
The early start paid off today, and I drove through White River entrance with no wait at 6:40am on a slightly overcast Sunday morning. The trail is in absolutely fantastic condition - all blowdowns ha...