Leaving Cayuse Pass start climbing west through a small semi open drainage that gets you up to a low col before descending west into the valley below. From here start heading northwest up the main drainage which will start forested but before long turns into alpine arriving at the high col of Governor’s Ridge. Standing on top of the ridge start riding fall line down the west slope but when about halfway start making a hard skiers left arriving on the shores of Owyhigh Lake. Now it is time to start heading south first going over a small hill then after traversing the basin you will make it up to the ridge separating this zone from the Cowlitz Chimney.

Descending South into the small basin you will know be directly below the Cowlitz Chimneys Eastern slope. It is time to put on Crampons and start climbing while making sure to climb on the side and not directly in the gut. Once on top put on your ski gear and make your way back down making sure to stay away from your up track. If all went well and you didn’t cause a stuff into the tracks you can just retrace your steps back to the top of the Cowlitz Chimneys.

Standing on top start heading west with a small descent before heading north to the low col which provides access to the Sarvant Glacier. Standing on top enjoy a low angle run down the main glacier which starts north than wraps Northwest. Your next objective is a low col between Tamanos Mountain and the Third Chimney. This is a challenging climb which you should only do if the snow under your feet is stable. With crampons on climb directly up until you arrive on the ridge then start heading north. A few feet below the true summit of Tamanos you will spot a nice looking couloir that drops northeast into the valley.

When I dropped into the Northeast couloir of Tamanos I decided to ride all the way down to the valley going skiers left of the sub drainage but I would recommend just following the trail back down. Before long you will arrive at the White River road and if smart have a car waiting for you at the Mathers Y. I wasn’t so smart so I had to walk along the road all the way back up to Cayuse pass. Numerous cars passed by but I joked that no one would be crazy enough to pick up a snowboarder.

To see my trip in the area and more photos check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/mt-rainier/cowlitz-chimneys/