Mount Rainier National Park

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Longmire Winter Trails and Activities

To Paradise

Cougar Rock A Campground B 1.1 W o n 3200' C d e T r l D a n d l F T r a i E E Carter r e Falls 1.1 v R A RM I P D A G R 1.5 i R 3660' 1.7 Rampart y l l Ridge Wonderland a u Trail q Tr ail s Because of its relatively low elevation at 2,760 feet, N i Longmire is one of the few areas of Mount Rainier

Viewpoint Wonderland National Park which remains accessible year-round. 4035’ Tr ail However, winter trail conditions vary depending Trail of the on snowfall. During mild winters, the trails may be Shadows completely snow-free. But during winters of heavy .7 1.8 Longmire Information Center snowfall, three to five feet of snow may cover the (Administration Building) ground. Snowshoers and novice skiers often favor these Longmire forested trails when blizzard conditions exist higher on To Kautz Creek 2760' the mountain. Ask a ranger for current conditions. Trail and National Nisqually Park Inn Longmire Entrance Volunteer Never walk, ski, or snowshoe on the road to Campground Paradise, even when the road is closed to vehicle traffic.

Westside Road • 14 miles round-trip to Round Pass • Difficulty: novice (first 3 miles to Dry Creek)/ • Begins at the junction with the main park intermediate (next 4 miles from Dry Creek to road, one mile east of the Nisqually Entrance, Round Pass) climbing gradually to Round Pass following • High avalanche potential at Dry Creek, the the unplowed road (not shown on map) first open area at the base of Mount Wow

Kautz Creek • 2 miles round-trip to the creek crossing • Crossing the creek may be dangerous • Begins at Kautz Creek parking area, 3 miles or impossible if storms or floods have east of Nisqually Entrance (not shown on damaged the footbridge; the trail steepens map) after crossing the creek and routefinding is • Difficulty: novice required

Trail of the Shadows • 0.7 mile loop trail; level terrain • Begins across the road from the National • Difficulty: novice Park Inn

Longmire Volunteer • 1.5 miles round-trip Village, over historic wooden suspension Campground • Begins at parking area adjacent to museum bridge, past Longmire Community Building, and administration building to loop road through campground • Difficulty: novice • Be alert for vehicles traveling on roads • Follows paved, plowed road from Longmire • Some campground roads may not be plowed

Rampart Ridge • 4.6 mile loop trail; very steep terrain not recommended for skiers • Begins along the west side of the Trail of the • Narrow trail through forest; often requires Shadows, across the road from the National routefinding. Park Inn • Do not travel on the Longmire-Paradise Road • Difficulty: advanced trail for snowshoers; Wonderland Trail • 3.8 miles round-trip from Longmire to • Narrow trail through the forest; may require Cougar Rock Campground; rolling terrain some routefinding • Difficulty: intermediate • Do not travel on the Longmire-Paradise Road

Cougar Rock Campground • Begins at the campground entrance, 2 miles • Flat terrain; follows snow-covered loops of above Longmire toward Paradise campground • Difficulty: novice • May encounter snowmobiles

Carter Falls • 2.2 miles round-trip along Wonderland Trail narrow trail through forest; requires • Begins on the curve just below Cougar Rock routefinding Campground • Crossing the Nisqually River may be • Difficulty: advanced impossible if storms or floods have damaged • Gradually uphill with some steep sections; the footbridge. • Do not travel on the Longmire-Paradise Road

Longmire Winter While visiting Longmire, the following are • Junior Ranger activity books Activities available at the Longmire Information Center, • Citizen Ranger Quest activities located inside the Administration Building: • Longmire Historic Walking Tour guides

Equipment Rental Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available For details, inquire in-person at the General for rent at the Longmire General Store from Store, or call (360) 569-2411. approximately mid-December to early April.

Food Service Food, gifts and lodging are available daily at parking area on the south side of the building. the historic National Park Inn. Enter from the

Tire Chains and All vehicles entering Mount Rainier National and at the Longmire General Store. For Safe Driving Park are required to carry properly fitting tire your own safety, always follow the traction chains (this includes 4-wheel-drive and all- requirements. wheel-drive vehicles). Make sure you can install your chains properly and safely. Snow tires or Poor visibility and reduced traction present tire chains may be required while driving in the driving hazards during winter. Shady areas and park. Signs posted along the roadway indicate bridge surfaces can be treacherously icy even traction device requirements. when other section of roadway are not. Use caution and stay alert! Chains are available at local stores in Ashford

Nightly Road Closures The road from Longmire to Paradise closes road from opening at all. Keep in mind that nightly for safety reasons and to facilitate all roads are subject to closure at any time. plowing. Visitors must leave Paradise by 4:30 Walking, skiing, and showshoeing on the road pm to clear the Longmire gate by its 5:00 pm to Paradise are not allowed, even when the closure. The uphill gate at Longmire closes at road is closed. Snowplows and other heavy 4:00 pm. It reopens the next morning if road equipment are operating beyond the gate, and conditions allow safe travel, usually between any unexpected traffic (auto or pedestrian) 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. However, some days could lead to a deadly encounter. the weather and snow conditions prevent the

Overnight Parking and Parking overnight in Longmire is permitted Wilderness permits are required for all Camping only in the parking area adjacent to the overnight camping. They are available free of National Park Inn. Parking outside this area charge at the Longmire Information Center, in will impede snowplowing operations and could the Administration Building, open daily from cause an accident. Camping in vehicles and/or 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at trailheads or parking lots is prohibited. Avoid setting your emergency break—it may freeze!

12/13 www.nps.gov/mora EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA