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Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 week ago
The Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground trail is generally in good condition, with most recent reports from August and September indicating it is snow-free and accessible for all vehicles. However, expect some overgrowth, especially in the final miles from Kautz Creek, which can lead to wet foliage that soaks clothing. There was a washout about a mile in, but a short, marked reroute is in place, and a log bridge crosses the creek. Some hikers have noted narrow sections on the Kautz Creek trail, requiring careful navigation on steep descents. Wildflowers were past peak by mid-August, but some late bloomers and berries were still present, August 16. Solitude is common on the Kautz Creek approach, with fewer people encountered compared to the Wonderland Trail route from Longmire.
Generated from 29 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 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The trail is becoming slightly overgrown, particularly in the last mile from Kautz Creek, leading to wet foliage that can soak clothing. This was noted as of September 15.
There is a washout about one mile into the trail, but it is managed with a short, clearly marked reroute. A log bridge is also present at the Kautz Creek crossing.
The trail is generally in good shape but can be narrow in places, requiring caution on steep downhill sections. Some reports mention steps that are giving way and minor blowdown that is easy to step over September 15, August 16.
The Kautz Creek approach to Indian Henry's is often very quiet and solitary, with far fewer people encountered than those coming from Longmire via the Wonderland Trail, August 8.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
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...
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 ...
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...
Older2 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...
Older2 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...
Older7 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
we hiked out to the bridge that's now laying on its side washed out about a mile. this was a beautiful hike light mist but the bridge that continues on is completely impassable and the bank down to th...