Skyline Trail Loop
2 weeks ago
Fall colors are fading, but still beautiful
7 this month · 133 reports
Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Mount Rainier Area
updated 5 days ago
The trail to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground from Kautz Creek is experiencing intermittent snow, becoming ankle-deep in the last mile towards the cabin as of November 5. This snow has been noted to not be difficult to cross, but boot prints and ribbons are helpful markers. The road to Kautz Creek is suitable for all vehicles. While the lower sections of the trail are wooded, snow begins around 4800 feet, and the upper reaches offer views of Mount Rainier on clearer days. Hikers should be aware of potential wet foliage, as noted on August 23, which can soak pants, shoes, and socks. Wildlife sightings have been minimal, with a deer and a few birds reported on November 5, and bears seen more often than people on September 15. A washout about a mile into the Kautz Creek trail is marked with a re-route and a log bridge crossing, with low water levels as of August 16.
Generated from 30 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
As of November 5, there is intermittent snow, becoming ankle-deep in the last mile or so towards the cabin. However, this snow is not difficult to cross, and boot prints are available to follow.
There was a washout about one mile into the Kautz Creek trail, but a clearly marked re-route is in place as of August 16. Additionally, some sections of the trail can be narrow and steep, requiring caution on descents as noted on August 16. Hikers should also be prepared for wet foliage, which can make pants, shoes, and socks wet, as reported on August 23.
The road to Kautz Creek is suitable for all vehicles, as reported on November 5 and September 15.
Wildlife sightings have been relatively sparse. On November 5, a deer and a few birds were seen. On September 15, bears were seen more often than people, and there was a report of a possible mountain lion sound.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
I had original plans to do Gobbler's Knob but hadn't realized that Westside Road was closed immediately, which would've added another 6+ miles to an already 12 mile hike. So I went to Kautz Creek inst...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
The weather on this day called for low clouds and mist, but minimal rain, so I decided to tackle this loop. I started at Kautz Creek in order to get the steepest part out of the way first. The trail u...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
We picked a misty day for this hike hoping it would clear while we were up at the patrol cabin but no such luck. The hike took us just over 6 hours round trip and we thought although there were some s...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
There are hikes where the mileage gets your attention, and then there are hikes where the elevation gain quietly reminds you who is really in charge. Our Kautz Creek adventure was both:14 miles, 4,200...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Despite WTA.org having the Kautz Creek trail marked as closed due to a washout, it is OPEN! The park service's backcountry trial conditions site merely notes "There is a washout about 1 mile into the ...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Arrived extra early to avoid a crowd once the entry booths were manned since Sunrise was closed due to the Grand Park wildfire, and was glad I did. A companion got stuck in a 49 minute back up once th...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
It was the perfect day to be the human sacrifice up Pyramid Peak today. In other words, I probably consumed/wore my body weight in spider webs and got so soaked from the severe overgrowth that it look...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
The Kautz Creek trail has been open for over a month as the NPS fixed the washout yet again. According to the ranger that I ran into on trail, that section has washed out four times in the last five y...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Trail was pristine
Mount Rainier Area
My friend won an early lottery so we got great picks- 10 nights, 11 days hitting every camp on the wishlist. I’ll try to go in order of our circuit. We started counter clockwise in Box Canyon so we...