Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Two routes take you up to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, an area with wildflower meadows and a ranger cabin that backs up to tall trees and offers stunning views of the Tahoma and South Tahoma glaciers.
Plan Around Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
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Indian Henry's Hunting Ground Details
Two routes take you up to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, an area with wildflower meadows and a ranger cabin that backs up to tall trees and offers stunning views of the Tahoma and South Tahoma glaciers. Go in July or August to catch the dazzling flower displays. (The area, incidentally, was named after an early guide.) The 13-mile roundtrip out and back from Longmire takes about eight hours to complete, and gains 2,400 feet en route. Follow the Wonderland Trail from Longmire (find the trailhead across the street from the museum) through old-growth forest and then climb steadily until you reach the Rampart Ridge Trail. Soon descend to Kautz Creek, a popular rest and lunch spot. Eventually, pass by Pyramid Creek Camp and grind up a series of switchbacks, crossing Fisher's Hornpipe Creek, cutting through ancient forest, and then traversing a ridge to Devil's Dream Camp. Just one more mile of easy uphill hiking and you'll reach the meadows, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Mount Rainier and its glaciers, Pyramid Peak, and Copper Mountain. . Alternatively, hike up the Kautz Creek Trail to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. Park at the Kautz Creek picnic area and find the trailhead across the road (look for scattered boulders and dead trees—remnants of a flood that ripped through here about 70 years ago). Follow the trail along Kautz Creek for nearly a mile before crossing a bridge over the creek. Cut through old-growth forest and then begin a two-mile steep climb up a series of switchbacks until you eventually reach the south side of Mount Ararat. The trail takes you through several meadows before passing over a ridge and depositing you in the meadows leading to the ranger cabin. Visit from mid-July through August and enjoy the wonderful explosion of wildflowers. Trail stats: 13 miles, 2,400 feet vertical gain.
Difficulty
High
Distance
13 miles
Estimated time
7 to 8 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Compare nearby parks around Indian Henry's Hunting Ground when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Indian Henry's Hunting Ground while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
Trail of the Shadows
This .7-mile trail starts across the street from Longmire's National Park Inn.
0.3 mi away
Carter Falls Trail
This easy out-and-back hike starts at Longmire and follows a short section of the Wonderland Trail.
0.3 mi away
Longmire Wilderness Information Center
From late May to early October, staff here provides backcountry camping information, wilderness permits, and sound advice for those venturing off to hike.
0.3 mi away
Rampart Ridge Trail
This trail leads hikers on a steep climb to the top of a ridge, also known as the Ramparts.
0.3 mi away
Longmire Museum
This small museum offers a good historical overview of the park, the Longmire family, and the Native Americans who once traveled through this area.
