"Mount Rainier" by NPS/Emily Brouwer Photo , public domain
Mount Rainier TrailsLongmire/Cougar Rock |
Brochure of Longmire/Cougar Rock Area Trails at Mount Rainier National Park (NP) in Washington. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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Mount Rainier National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Longmire/Cougar Rock Area Trails
All hiking times and distances are round-trip, unless otherwise indicated.
Always carry the Ten Essentials: a topographic map and compass, extra food, extra
clothing/rain gear, emergency shelter, first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight and spare
batteries, extra water, sunglasses and sunscreen, repair kit/tools, and waterproof
matches—for emergency use only (fires are not allowed in Mount Rainier’s Wilderness).
Easy Trails
Trail of the Shadows 0.7 miles round-trip. Average hiking time: 30 minutes. A self-guiding loop around
Longmire Meadow explores the early history of the Longmire Springs Resort. Trail of the Shadows begins
across the main park road from the Longmire Museum. For your safety, do not drink the water from the
springs!
Christine Falls Drive 4.5 miles east of Longmire and use the pullout just beyond the stone bridge. The trail
descends 100' to a view of Christine Falls framed by the bridge. For your safety, please don’t stop your car or
walk on the bridge—drivers distracted by the scenery may hit you!
Moderate Trails
Kautz Creek Trail 2 miles round-trip. Average hiking time: 1 hour round-trip to Kautz Bridge. The trailhead is
located 3 miles west of Longmire. The first mile of this trail is level. (The trail beyond the bridge continues 4 ½
steep miles to Indian Henrys; carry a map, extra water, and food.)
Carter Falls/Madcap Falls 2.2 miles round-trip. 500' elevation gain. Average hiking time: 2 hours. The trail
begins at the paved pullout 100 yards below Cougar Rock Campground. Walk past Carter Falls 50 yards to see
Madcap Falls. For the route beyond Carter Falls see “Wonderland Trail to Paradise” listed below.
Rampart Ridge 4.6 mile loop. 1339' elevation gain. Average hiking time: 2 ½ hours. Beginning from the Trail of
the Shadows, this is a steep loop trail traveling through forests with vistas from the ridge top.
Strenuous Trails
Comet Falls and Van Trump Park 5.6 miles round-trip. 2200' elevation gain. Average hiking time: 4 hours.
Located 4.4 miles uphill from Longmire, this steep trail passes Comet Falls (1.8 miles). Beware: this is not an
early season hike due to steep snow slopes. Please stay on the trail to protect the fragile meadows. Mildred
Point is an additional 1 mile beyond Van Trump Park, plus 800’ elevation gain. Add 1 ½ hours for this segment.
Mildred Point offers great views of the Kautz Glacier. Please stay on the trail to protect fragile meadows.
Wonderland Trail to Indian Henrys 6.7 miles (one way from Longmire). 2400' elevation gain. Average hiking
time: 4 hours. The trail begins near the Longmire Wilderness Information Center and climbs through old
growth forest to subalpine meadows. Please stay on the trail to protect the fragile meadows.
Wonderland Trail to Paradise 6 miles (one way). 2700' elevation gain. Average hiking time: 3 hours. The trail
begins near the Longmire Wilderness Information Center and passes Carter, Madcap, and Narada Falls. At
Narada Falls, the trail ends just above the falls and continues near the restrooms. (See Paradise Area Trails map)
Eagle Peak Saddle 7.2 miles round-trip. 2955’ elevation gain. Average hiking
time: 5 hours. A steep trail through old growth forest with great views from the
saddle. The trailhead is located 50 yards past the Nisqually River Suspension
Bridge in Longmire. Beyond the saddle, an unmaintained route leads to the
peak. This is not an early season hike due to steep snow slopes. Use extreme
caution beyond the maintained trail.
Pets & bicycles are
prohibited on park trails.
8/16
Van
Trump
Park
Mildred
Point
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Longmire Area Trails
5935'
.8
Cr
Comet
Falls
eek
.5
.5
Stay on trails. Do not pick flowers.
Carry the "10 Essentials" and
Leave No Trace of your visit.
Pets are NOT allowed on trails.
Do not feed or approach wildlife.
Use a topographic map.
Permit required for Wilderness camping.
Tru
mp
4830'
Van
1.9
Comet Falls
Trail
To
Indian
Henry's
k
Cr
R
u
Ka
tz
P
Cougar Rock
Campground
T
3200'
B
D
F
1.1
1.5
sq
ll
y
ve
r
4140'
A
W
1.1
C
Close
o n d
d
e r
in
l a
Winter
R
il
r
Carte
Falls
p
ca
ad ls
M al
F
er
Trail conditions can change. Always
check trail conditions before hiking.
ly
iv
T ra
n d
E
1.7
Wonderland
Trail
Ricksecker
Point
N
is
qu
Rampart
Ridge
Trail
Ni
ua
Ri
To Paradise
M
R
E
al
A
A
G
D
I
1.2
R
Christine
Falls
2.7
ee
Wonderland
Trail
viewpoint
Eagle Peak
4035'
Trail of the
Shadows
1.8
Rampart Ridge
Trail
5958'
.7
Longmire Museum (open daily)
Wilderness Information Center
Road
3.6
Trail
Wonderland Trail
River/stream
National
Park
Inn
Longmire
Eagle Peak Trail
Campground
6/15
2757'
To Kautz Creek Trail
& Nisqually Entrance
0
1/4
1/2
MILES
3/4