Deer Creek Falls to Owyhigh Lakes, Tamanos Mountain — Saturday, Jul. 23, 2022

Did a quick overnight up here, camping at Tamanos Creek Campground and scrambling Tamanos Mountain. My group of 4 and I actually attempted to hike the lakes from the Sunrise side, but arrived at the White River WIC at 9ish to find the road completely backed up. Rangers said they were unable to let anyone even join the line for at least 1.5 hours. Not wanting to wait this long, we walked up the car line to pick up our permit and then drove to Deer Creek trailhead to come at the lakes from the other direction. In my opinion this is the best way to access the lakes, the trail is luxuriously graded and, with the exception of some down trees, in great condition. The trail meanders through mixed forest before passing by Deer Creek Falls and hitting a set of switchbacks. The switchbacks end in an alpine meadow. You'll see a nice view of the Chimneys! From here, it's mostly flat to Tamanos Creek with wildflowers everywhere but especially by the lakes. We made it to the creek in about 2 hours, ~2500 ft of vertical. After reaching the lakes some of us swam(!!) as with the late snow melt it is deep enough in the smaller of the two lakes. Those of us who didn't swim climbed to a western high point of Tamanos Mountain. I took a route pretty much straight up and a little south from the lakes. No snow left at all on this side of the mountain. There was some flagging up here, and in sections there seemed to be a social trail. If anyone knows more about this let me know. Views from the high point were great. Could see Banshee peak, the Chimneys from another angle, as well as Goat Island and Tahoma of course. Overall, I highly recommend this trip as a relaxed 1-nighter. Hike it soon before the wildflowers are gone!