Kautz Creek Nature Trail
The Kautz Creek Nature Trail at Mt. Rainier National Park near Longmire, Washington is an easy 0.1-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a view of Mt. Rainier from the southern end of the Kautz Creek Valley.Explore Kautz Creek Valley
This short boardwalk trail leads from the main parking area, located on the south side of Paradise Valley Road, westward to the edge of Kautz Creek. Along the boardwalk are information signs that help visitors better understand the natural topography and dangers of being downstream from Mt. Rainier's glaciers and glacial melt.In short, Kautz Creek valley really could be flooded at any time by glacial melt or a catastrophic landslide on Mt. Rainier. While the vegetation thats growing along Kautz Creek almost takes over most of the view you'll find near the end of the trail, this doesn't mean that flash floods do not occur here. Following the boardwalk to the edge of Kautz Creek, you'll be standing next to the Paradise Valley Road bridge that spans the water with a forest of younger-growth trees that fill in the banks. To the north, however, is a view of Mt. Rainier's glacier-covered peak as it reaches over the trees. Note that over time these trees may completely fill-in the view, leaving visitors with a short walk to the water's edge of Kautz Creek instead.
While yes, there are better views of Mt. Rainier at Mt. Rainier National Park this very short out-and-back, universally-accessible trail provides a quick and easy way to appreciate the mountain from a different perspective.
