This trail is slightly shorter but steeper than the alternative Indian Henry's from Longmire route to the alpine meadow known as Indian Henry's Hunting Grounds. The numbers shown above include the optional extension to Mirror Lakes: it's 10.5 miles if you skip that part.

The trail starts with a deceptively flat first mile through forest that is still regrowing after a 1947 mudflow, then takes off uphill as the trees increase in size and age. Compared to the route from Longmire this delivers views earlier on in the hike, first south to Adams and then a series of Rainier peek-a-boos. If you're anything like me, more than once when the trail arrives at a meadow and angles gently downhill you will think "cracked it, this must be the Hunting Grounds now". But no: it does this several times only to head sharply back uphill before you've even managed to catch your breath.

I recommend including the extra couple of miles going on to Mirror Lakes. This side trail is less well maintained, with several broken (yet safely passable) walkways over marshy spots. When you reach the 'End of Maintained Trail' sign shortly before the second lake, continue straight forward another 200 feet (not following the path to the right). At first it doesn't look like there's a path here, but you will soon find yourself on the start of a climber's trail leading to Pyramid Peak and the Success Cleaver summit route. There's no need to go far along this, as it almost immediately delivers stunning views down onto the Tahoma Glacier.