Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, Kautz Creek Snowshoe & Mount Ararat — Monday, Feb. 16, 2015

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise

Multiple powerful forces converged together, leaving me no choice but to find myself at the Kautz Creek Trailhead at 5:50 am Monday. (Below-normal snowpack; last week’s snow-melting pineapple express; the forecast of sunny skies and 60 degrees; and a day off work for me. Who am I to argue with the universe?) Donning a headlamp, I headed up the trail under a moonless sky, figuring that the sun would come up around the time I hit snow and the trail got sketchy. I was very wrong. On this trail on February 16th, there is zero snow or ice until the 4800’ mark. Great for me – Bad for skiers and Yeti. 4800’ is about where most of the climbing eases up. I wore crampons and would advise traction devices to anyone going further. (I suppose if you’re up this far this time of year you probably know what you’re doing, so never mind my advice.) There were a few footprints leading the way through a few ups and downs, until the first good view – a bump just to the right of the trail around 5000’. From there the footprints are less obvious, but the route is pretty clear anyway: You head straight for Mt. Ararat, then begin angling up the right side of it. Before long you reach a high point. The route to Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground (best alpine meadow name ever) goes up and down below some cliffs, straight toward the Big Show. I chose to take a left and head up the southwest slope of Ararat. It was a little steeper than I had gathered from the map, but with crampons and ski poles it was ok. The top of Ararat is very nice, with broad views toward Rainier, as well as Adams, St. Helens, and even Hood today. I think the view from the patrol cabin makes the mountain look a little small. On Ararat, you get a bigger scale. From there it’s a simple descent down snowy slopes and into the Hunting Ground. I sat on the porch of the cabin for a bit, contemplating deep thoughts – Like how Cadbury Caramel Eggs are not as good when they are half frozen from being in my pack. Should have warmed them in my pants. I headed back before the snow got too soft, so there was no need for my under-utilized snowshoes. Beautiful day enjoying what is normally a midsummer classic hike. I feel like I stole one. This is payback for the last time the “30% chance of showers” summer forecast really meant “You will not have a dry spot on your body for three days." “Map my Hike” says I burned 4400 calories – roughly the same amount I have been consuming every Sunday watching the Seahawks, so its pretty much a wash..