Mirror Lakes Trail

Mirror Lakes is a strenuous out-and-back from Kautz Creek Picnic Area, climbing through forest and open meadows to a signed spur beside Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground. The full outing is roughly 13 to 14 miles round trip with about 3,800 feet of climbing; the mapped trail corridor is shorter, so mileage totals vary. Allow eight to ten hours and start with enough daylight. The Kautz Creek approach is steep and rough in places. Dogs are not allowed on Mount Rainier trails.

The trail follows Kautz Creek for about a mile, crosses it on a log bridge and enters old-growth forest. After another half mile it begins a sustained climb on switchbacks. The path is narrower and less built up than the Wonderland Trail, and the grade stays demanding through the woods. It eventually emerges along Mount Ararat’s south flank, crosses open meadows, climbs a final ridge and descends to the patrol cabin. On clear stretches, the trees give way to broad views of the surrounding peaks.

At Indian Henry’s, follow the Wonderland Trail north from the cabin to the signed Mirror Lakes junction, then turn east. The sign sits low and is easy to walk past. The lakes spur is short compared with the approach, with a brief boggy stretch and a meadow edge before the water. Stop at the lakes; a faint bootpath continues toward Pyramid Peak, but that rough continuation is a different hike and is not part of this route.

The destination is a small tarn beneath Rainier’s west-facing slopes. When the water is still and the mountain is visible, look across the lake for its reflection, with the grassy shore in the foreground. Paintbrush and valerian grow along the water’s edge. Treat stream water before drinking. A Longmire approach is also possible, but it is a different, longer approach and is not included in this route’s trailhead or distance.