Longmire Lookout via Rampart Ridge

Starting at the Longmire Trailhead, cross the road and begin snowshoeing counter-clockwise on the Trail of Shadows.  This first 0.5 miles begins the hike as a nice warm up where you can make sure your snowshoes are adjusted properly and stop from time to time to learn some facts from the interpretive displays.

Then you will reach a junction with the Rampart Ridge Trail.  The trail sign indicates you have 1.7 miles till the Longmire Lookout, so get ready for a short but steep set of switchbacks.

As you gain elevation, beautiful views begin to pop up between the tree branches, and on a clear day you will also be able to see Mount Rainier (we didn't get so lucky and had low clouds covering our views of the mountain, but it was still a beautiful snowy hike).

Once you reach the trailhead, enjoy some snacks and take a few pictures before turning around and heading back down the trail.  The decent goes pretty quickly and if you're clumsy like I am sometimes, you might just get a chance to sled down the hill on your butt.

Back at the intersection with the Trail of Shadows, continue in the counter-clockwise direction to finish up the loop (it's now just a short 0.2 miles back to your car).