1-9-2008 Snowshoeing on Snowy Kautz Creek Trail-Mt. Rainier

January 16th, 2008

Information gathered on January 9, 2008 ………….

The one mile Turn Around Spot

The snow continues to pile higher and higher at Mt. Rainier National Park with one snow storm after another. The park becomes more spectacular with each new snowfall. The branches of the majestic old growth trees alongside the road drop closer to the ground as their snow coats become heavier and heavier.

The Kautz Creek Trail, only three miles from the park entrance, is a perfect place for an easy winter ski or snowshoe excursion. The beginning first mile winds through a flat section of forest with alder and young fir trees that bend to the ground under the weight of the snow. All the deep heavy snow gives the trail an appearance of going through a snowy tree tunnel.

Tom on the Trail

Kautz Creek shortly comes into view with large puffy snow balls sitting on top of tall tree stumps beside the creek. Graceful drifts of snow cover the fallen trees and debris alongside a slow trickle of water.

First View of Kautz Creek

The trail turns back into the snow tunnel of bending trees for the next six tenths of a mile until it crosses over the Kautz Creek again.
The Trail heads back into the Trees

With all the snow there was a lot of ducking under branches

This is the first view of where you cross the flood ravaged Kautz Creek that now has a very wide creek bed

Tom heading across Kautz Creek just to take a peek at the other side

Tom crossing one of the small bridges at the huge Log Jam from the flooding

Here there are two bridges to cross but the snow makes them a bit tricky to use. Therefore, this first mile crossing place is a good turn around destination.

The lower elevation Kautz Creek Trail is not always snow covered during the winter. But this year with the heavy snowfall, this trail adds a new play ground for winter fun. The first flat mile of the Kautz Creek Trail provides a wonderful place for either skiing or snowshoeing where the beauty and solitude of winter landscapes can be easily enjoyed.
Heading back to the car through the tunnel again