24. Copper Mountain, 6280' (S)
Copper Mountain is usually combined with Iron Mountain for a two-fer. These peaks are in a beautiful part of the park and have spectacular views of Rainier. Indian Henrys Hunting Ground (the takeoff point for both peaks) is about 5.7 miles (one-way) from the trailhead, making for a long day if you climb both peaks. Copper Mountain was probably named for planned or actual mining activity in the area. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, there were great hopes that gold, silver, copper, and iron would be found.
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Driving
From the Nisqually Entrance, drive approximately 3 miles to the Kautz Creek parking area located on the south side of the road.
Route
From the Kautz Creek trailhead (elevation 2400'), head north toward Indian Henrys Hunting Ground until you reach the ranger’s summer cabin in 5.5 miles. From the cabin, head in an easterly direction. There is a footpath near the outhouse behind the cabin. This path is soon lost, but there are game trails that help. Gain the saddle between Iron and Copper. Iron is to the south, Copper to the north. Both peaks have flat summits. The route to Copper heads up a fairly obvious gully just west of the ridge leading to the peak. To reach Iron, from the saddle head south and drop below rocky outcroppings until you are past the largest of the rock formations, and head upward through a gully. The summit is surprisingly flat and expansive. Of the two peaks, Iron has slightly more summit-finding challenges.
Comments
Flowers are quite spectacular in mid- to late summer. Pyramid Peak is in the neighborhood, as is Ararat; however, Iron and Copper are “plenty of mountain” for a day. If there is enough daylight, a worthwhile short side trip from Indian Henrys Hunting Ground is to Mirror Lakes—a very photogenic lake with Rainier reflecting in the usually mirror-like water.
Vital Statistics: Copper Mountain
Skill: Moderate scramble, 85% on-trail
Beauty: 9
Effort: 8, 8+ for Copper and Iron
Round-trip distance: 12.1 miles, 12.6 for Copper and Iron
Elevation gain: 4400’, 4800’ for Copper and Iron
Total time: 8 hours, 9 hours for Copper and Iron
Best season: May through September
Equipment: Scramble gear
Copper Mountain Topo
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Copper Mountain Photo
Off-trail route to saddle starts behind the ranger cabin and heads to the saddle