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A winding slog through dense forest to open meadows, teeming with wildlife and wildflowers.


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Map Key

11.1

Miles

17.9

KM

Out and Back

5,596' 1,706 m

High

2,416' 736 m

Low

3,472' 1,058 m

Up

3,471' 1,058 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails. Treat water before drinking.

Overview

An area favored for hunting by early mountain guide Indian Henry, the namesake hunting grounds are now the perfect area to view wildlife, and enjoy wildflowers.

Due to the open nature of this area, the views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks are amazing.

Need to Know

Current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Be sure to check the status of the Kautz Creek footbridge!

Indian Henry's Hunting Ground may also be reached by a separate trail from Longmire.

Description

Park at the Kautz Creek Picnic Area and take the trailhead located across the road. From the trailhead follows Kautz Creek for about 1 mile before crossing the creek on a log bridge and enters old growth forest. In another half mile the trail begins a series of switchbacks and climbs steeply through forest for another 2 miles before emerging along the south flank of Mount Ararat. The trail enters a series of meadows before climbing a final ridge and descending to the ranger cabin in the meadows of Indian Henry's.

Flora & Fauna

Near the trailhead there is evidence of the Kautz Creek flood of about 70 years ago with boulder fields and many large dead trees still standing. At Indian Henry's, meadows are generally in full bloom from mid -July through August. Fall colors are impressive generally from mid-September into October.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Stephen M

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#6

in Longmire

#3274

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#6

in Longmire

#210

in Washington

#3,274

Overall
9 Views Last Month
1,108 Since Mar 4, 2015
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Photos

Rainier and Pyramid Peak (photo by brewbooks)
Jul 26, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Mt Rainier from Kautz Creek
Mar 4, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Kautz creek
Mar 27, 2015 near Eatonville, WA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Nov 19, 2022
Alex Maietta
Nov 1, 2020
David Scott
Sep 9, 2019
Tim Bayer
Had 3 young boys (7, 5, and 2) with us. We turned back due to time. This is a trail worth going further in with adults, only. 4.5mi
Aug 25, 2019
Tim Bayer
We did this with 2 older boys (7 and 5) to check out what Rainier had to offer. Great hike! 2mi
Feb 17, 2019
Kim Cleveland Kalina
5.6mi
Apr 28, 2017
Evan Estep
Apr 16, 2017
Yair Granot
Apr 15, 2017
Yair Granot
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