Kautz Creek Trail to Longmire

The hike on Kautz Creek Trail is a long, arduous one, but it leads through a very special part of Mount Rainier National Park to Longmire. You’ll arrive in Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground, the former home of a Native American guide named So-To-Lick who provided guidance to the founders of the park many years ago. Bring lots of water and bug spray on this trail, as the elevation gain is constant and the bugs can be plentiful.

The trail begins from the north side of the road, switchbacking through the forest. The ascent is consistent and unrelenting to the summit ridge of Mount Ararat, where you’ll have a great view of Rainier. Continue on, crossing meadows about 4.0mi in. From the meadows, continue for a mile to the junction with the Wonderland Trail. You’ll want to go right here, but you can go left to pop over to the patrol cabin and chat with the rangers at the hunting ground if you’d like.

Following the Wonderland Trail southeast, you’ll descend, eventually crossing Devil’s Dream Creek and skirting two lakes. Cross through Devil’s Dream Camp and then back over the creek. The trail ascends, crosses another creek, descends through switchbacks, and crosses Pearl Creek.

You’ll pass by Pyramid Creek Camp, cross Kautz Creek, and then continue along switchbacks to a Y-junction. Keep right here onto Rampart Ridge Trail, switchbacking your way to the intersection with Trail of the Shadows. The trail ends here, just outside of Longmire.