Kautz Creek Trail

Kautz Creek Trail is the long-distance hiking route that leads from the Kautz Creek picnic area across a log-bridged Kautz Creek crossing and up through old-growth forest to Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground in Mount Rainier National Park.

The standard out-and-back distance is about 11.5 miles, with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and typical hiking time of about 6–8 hours.

Route character is shaped by a major hydrologic history: the first mile follows the former creek course and runs over ground tied to the Kautz Creek flood and mudflow event in October 1947.

After the creek crossing, the route climbs steeply through forest, then eases as it reaches meadows along the Mount Ararat approach and continues toward the ranger patrol cabin area at Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground.

There is a log bridge at the Kautz Creek crossing; washouts of that crossing aren’t uncommon, and park trail-condition updates note times when the trail is impassable about one mile from the trailhead due to washout damage with no bypass route.

Management in the backcountry is permit- and rule-based: overnight camping requires a wilderness camping permit, and fires are prohibited; pets are not allowed on trails.

More information: Conditions, Visitor information, Hike the Kautz Creek Trail | Visit Rainier