Owyhigh Lakes Trail

Starting from the White River area, the Owyhigh Lakes Trail eases you through old-growth forest before climbing steadily into subalpine meadows that explode with lupine and paintbrush in late July. The path is well-maintained but roots and rocks keep you honest, especially on the uphill sections where the canopy opens to reveal Rainier's massive eastern face. At roughly three and a half miles in, you arrive at the lakes — a pair of shallow, impossibly clear alpine pools tucked beneath Governors Ridge. The setting is quieter than the Sunrise crowds just a few miles away, which is the whole point. On a weekday, you might share the shore with nothing but a few gray jays working you for trail mix. This one rewards hikers who want Rainier's beauty without the Wonderland Trail commitment.