Indian Henry's Patrol Cabin, place in Washington listed on National Register of Historic Places
Indian Henry's Patrol Cabin is a small log building constructed around 1916 from rough-hewn wood, sitting in a meadow at roughly 5,300 feet (1,600 meters) near Mount Rainier. The cabin measures about 25 by 15 feet (7.5 by 4.5 meters) with a wide front porch, thick logs, and is elevated above the ground to allow airflow and protect against rot during spring snowmelt.
The cabin was built in the early 1900s as the park's first ranger station to help patrols monitor the backcountry and protect visitors and resources. Between 1970 and 1979, major repairs replaced the roof, windows, and door frames while reinforcing the foundation with stone and concrete to ensure its survival.
The area is named after Indian Henry, a Native American guide who traveled through these mountains in the late 1800s and helped explorers find routes through the wilderness. His name remains part of the local landscape, honoring his knowledge and connection to this mountain country.
The cabin is most easily reached in summer from either the Kautz Creek parking area or from Longmire, though the trail is steep and uneven, requiring sturdy footwear and adequate water. The building is usually locked so visitors cannot enter, but the porch provides a good resting spot and hikers often sign the register left there.
The cabin sits on raised foundations to allow air to flow underneath, protecting the wood from moisture during spring snowmelt, a clever building detail typical of mountain structures in snowy areas. This thoughtful design has allowed the building to survive more than a century in this harsh alpine environment.
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