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Mount Rainier National Park: Mirror Lakes via Kautz Creek
This ambitious 12.4-mile dayhike runs along a creekbed raged by two major floods, through fragile wildflower meadows, and visits a pod of backcountry lakes.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Washington (WA) |
| Distance: | 6.2 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Wahpenayo Peak, Mount Rainier West |
| Rating: | Unrated |
The first mile-long stretch of trail travels across the Kautz Creek mudflow, which was formed in 1947 from sediment and boulders deposited by a glacial flood. Another flood-of-the-century charged through in November 2006. After a mile, cross Kautz Creek on a split-log footbridge—clear days reveal 14,410-foot Mount Rainier rising dramatically behind the creek. The trail steepens at this point and climbs several switchbacks that zigzag above the creek. After five miles, cruise across wildflower-filled meadows beneath Mount Ararat, then head northwest on Wonderland Trail to the Mirror Lakes spur trail. Follow this 0.6-mile path to a small group of lakes tucked beneath South Tahoma Glacier. No camping allowed.
Editor's Note: Floods in 2006 might have slightly altered the route identified on our map.
TO TRAILHEAD: From Seattle, take I-5 S to I-405 N to WA 167 S to WA 512 W to WA 161 S to WA 7 S to WA 706 E to Elbe, WA. Continue on WA 706 E for 13.6 miles to the Nisqually entrance. Continue straight on Paradise Rd. for 3.4 miles to trailhead parking on right.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
1
| Distance: 6.20 mi | Points: 449 |
Mirror Lakes
Points of Interest
MIR001
Location: 46.736183, -121.855736Hike north on Kautz Creek Trail. This gentle stretch of trail runs across the Kautz Creek mudflow where sediment and 13-foot boulders were deposited by the Kautz Glacier outburst flood in 1947.
MIR002
Location: 46.747063, -121.848160Cross Kautz Creek on split-log footbridge (use caution during high water). On clear days, you'll see 14,410-foot Mount Rainier rising dramatically to the northeast behind the creek. Trail narrows ahead.
MIR003
Location: 46.757011, -121.853188Ascend several switchbacks that zigzag above Kautz Creek; prepare for steep climb through old-growth forest.
MIR004
Location: 46.766964, -121.853233Hike northwest; terrain levels briefly.
MIR005
Location: 46.770397, -121.855362Tackle 12 switchbacks that climb east. In 0.3 mile, head north to a narrow saddle.
MIR006
Location: 46.775383, -121.850754Continue heading north past an unnamed 5,115-foot summit that rises on the right. Ahead, trail travels north toward Mount Ararat, passing through the expansive meadows of Indian Henrys Hunting Ground.
MIR007
Location: 46.793404, -121.840530Turn left @ T-junction onto Wonderland Trail; hike northwest through an alpine meadow dotted with seasonal wildflowers.
MIR008
Location: 46.794994, -121.842972Trail curves to the right, heading northeast.
MIR009
Location: 46.795528, -121.841637Bear right @ Y-junction onto 0.6-mile spur trail to Mirror Lakes.
MIR010
Location: 46.801315, -121.834702Mirror Lakes: This small group of aptly-named lakes is nestled at the foot of South Tahoma Glacier. On wind-free days, look for the reflection of Mount Rainier's glacier-covered slopes. To return to trailhead, retrace your route.
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