Carbon River to Ipsut Falls

The Carbon River corridor enters Mt. Rainier National Park at its quietest gate, on the northwest flank of the mountain. The hiking route follows the old road that washed out in 2006 and was never rebuilt for vehicles — eleven miles round trip on a mostly level grade through some of the only inland temperate rainforest in the Lower 48. Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir crowd the corridor; mosses and licorice fern drape every standing trunk.

Side trails branch off to Chenuis Falls and Ipsut Falls, both narrow drops over mossy rock. Chenuis comes first, a quarter mile in from the main route; Ipsut sits at the far end, with the campground turning the trip into an easy overnight. Hikers who continue beyond Ipsut reach the toe of the Carbon Glacier within another two miles — one of the lowest-elevation glacier toes in the contiguous United States.

The trail itself remains in good shape, but the Fairfax Bridge three miles south of Carbonado has been closed to all traffic — vehicle and pedestrian — due to structural concerns. Until that bridge reopens or is replaced, the Carbon River entrance is unreachable. Confirm bridge status with the National Park Service before driving out.