WaterfallNear Me

Kautz Creek Falls

Pierce County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Pierce County, Washington
Access status
National park trail to a distant viewpoint of the falls at Mildred Point
The walk
About 3.5 miles one way to Mildred Point (WTA)
Ground & access
Steady, steep climb with log steps and a footlog crossing. The final spur is narrow and rutted.
Washington Trails Association: Van Trump Park

Kautz Creek Falls is a 140-foot plunge below the Kautz Glacier in Mount Rainier National Park. It is seen at a distance from Mildred Point, a bluff overlooking the Kautz Creek valley. From the Comet Falls Trailhead, climb the Comet Falls Trail along Van Trump Creek past Bloucher Falls to the side path for Comet Falls at about 1.9 miles. Continue uphill steeply to a junction; stay left (Van Trump Park is to the right), cross Van Trump Creek on a log, and at the next junction turn right for Mildred Point. The last half mile is narrow, steep, rutted and overgrown. The muddy glacial water can make the falls hard to pick out against the canyon walls. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Comet Falls Trailhead on the road to Paradise, the Comet Falls Trail past Comet Falls, then the Mildred Point spur; the falls are seen across the Kautz Creek valley

WTA says Mildred Point is 3.5 miles from the trailhead; Waterfalls Northwest gives 3.75 miles. The falls are seen from Mildred Point, not reached.

Steady, steep climb with log steps and a footlog crossing. The final spur is narrow and rutted.

Where to start

Comet Falls Trailhead parking lot on the road to Paradise, four miles east of Longmire (10.2 miles from the Nisqually Entrance). Parking is limited and often fills quickly, and there is no other parking nearby.

Timing & water

The National Park Service lists the trailhead season as June to October. Ice and snow can linger on the trail into June or July.

Before you go

Mount Rainier National Park entrance pass required (standard pass $15 to $30). WTA lists an America the Beautiful Pass.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Pierce County, Washington.

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