Carbon River Rainforest Loop & Old Mine

Carbon River Rainforest Loop & Old Mine

At Carbon River Entrance there are bathroom, trash, and picnic table
Time on the trail 4 hours this included lunch and general exploring of the river
Length of trail: About 3 Miles
Elevation 300 Gain
Animals Seen on the trail: Squirrels

Don't forget to bring 10 Essentials for Hiking and entrance fee for Mount Rainier for your trip.
Carbon River Area Trails

As you will notice we did both hikes on two separate days my suggestion is if you are going to venture down the Old Carbon River Road you first take the kiddos on Rain Forest Loop it's flat and about a 1/4 of a mile long. There are little signs that tell you information about the local pants and history. I didn't get a chance to read them because my son was running the trail all 4 times we did it. Since he was only 2 at the time he was a little worn out by the end of it. He loved this trail because there are many bridges and there was plenty of interesting looking mushrooms to look at. 

Woody was our adventure friend last year

Last of the huckle berries from the summer

Adventure is always on the horizon

Now we off on our adventure to the old mine 

  

The Carbon River Road used to be open but in November of 2006 there was some extreme flooding that happened in the park and this is one of the areas.

The first mile of the trail is pretty flat with lot of shade.

As you approach the old mine trail head you will see an old parking lot

Sometimes you have to take a cute trail head photo.

The trail it's self leading up to mine is very well maintained. It does get a little steep but nothing to bad Little Dude was able to do it all on his own we a couple breaks.

In the early 1900's there where well over a hundred claims within the boundaries of Mt Rainier National Park according to the NPS website.The Carbon River Old Mine was one of the most aggressive mines in the northern part of the park but like many of the other mines within the park it. During 1908 and 1909 the Washington Mining and Milling Co. employed 7 - 15 people, they built several building and a mine shaft that lead back 250 feet. There was little if not any minerals found at this site. Operation of this site stop in 1913. In 1950 is the next time this mine is rediscovered by a Park Ranger named Aubrey Haines when W.E. Potthoff gave during a visit to the Carbon River Ranger Station he told Haines that he had worked in the mine in that area. After some searching Aubrey Haines found the mine in either 1950 or 1951. At that time he saw the several building that had remained unused for many years. By the 1980's the building were all going. Now there is no trace that there was building at all.

While hiking with my son I've learned some helpful trick to keep him happy.

Direction 

To get there, take I-5 South to I-405. From I-405 take SR 167 south toward Auburn. In 20 miles take the SR 410 Exit toward Sumner/Yakima. Follow SR 410 for 12 miles to SR 165. Take a right and continue on SR 165 for about 10 miles through Wilkeson and Carbonado to the Carbon River Road/Mowich Lake Road junction. Veer left onto the Carbon River Road and follow for 7.7 miles to the Carbon River Entrance of Mt. Rainer and parking

The 10 Hiking Essentials for Hiking

If you where a hiker before you had children than this post is not going to give you any new information. As I've been talking with a few of my mommy friends that are just getting into hiking now that they have kids, I thought this would be a good bit of information to go over.

Ten Essentials

Before you hit any trail, no matter how easy, no matter how short, no matter how close to home; make sure your backpack is loaded with the ten essentials. When in the back-country you are responsible for your own safety, and any one of these ten items may help to save your life. Carry each one and know how to use them.

In addition to these items, know your limits and be sure you leave an itinerary with friends, relatives or just post it on Facebook like I do.

1. Map - I really like the green trails maps they can be found at many outdoor retailers , US Forest Service Ranger Stations and Online at Green Trails Maps. For these maps your going to want to find the area where the trail is you are going to be hiking and grab that map.

2. Compass - A map is no good without a compass and a compass is no good if you don't know how to use it. It doesn't matter how fancy your compass is, but if it doesn't have a compensation setting for true North, make sure you know how to convert magnetic to true North. In Western Washington magnetic North is 20-22° east of true North. GPS units are great, but they are not substitutes for knowing how to use a map and compass. They're delicate devices and can break, get waterlogged or seize up in cold weather. The GPS can point you in the right direction, but it's the map that tells you if you can go that way.

3. Water and a Way to Purify It - I bring a hydration pack from Jansport that was discontinued many years ago. I've since replaced the bladder in it with a Osprey Hydraulics LT, I'm loving it because it has magnetic bite valve with included sternum strap magnet. No more fumbling around looking for the bite valve. I kept the pack because I love the fit and it's still in good condition plus I've got memories of taking it to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Death Valley, Lassen and Denali National Park.

Drinking water is important, while hiking without water the body is more susceptible to heat stroke, hypothermia and altitude sickness.  All water found near the trail, should be filtered, or purified by chemical tablets or boiling the water before drinking. Now a days, nearly all water sources can harbor tiny organisms that may end up leaving you feeling unpleasant later.  

4. Extra Food - I tend to bring enough food to feed a small army of tiny people. Its suggested to always bring enough food for an extra day on the trail. You never know what kind of unexpected situation may delay your return trip.

this is what was left over after we had a snack

5. Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Living in Washington State I have to say that there is almost no such thing as having too many layers when your hiking. Plus if your hiking with a tiny army of little people it's almost a given that someone is going to get wet or dirty and need a change of clothes. If possible try and avoid cotton clothing and stick to wool or poly blends that wick moisture way from your skin.



6. Fire-starters and Matches - While being prepared for a unexpected incident on the trail, having a fire-starter and matches will be beneficial if you are for some reason stuck on a trail over night. Things that make good fire-starters are a candle, dryer lint, cotton balls dipped into candle wax, solid chemical fuels or balls of compressed wood chips because in the PNW you are likely to expect wet kindling.


7. First Aid Kit - I got this first aid kit many years ago at an outdoor retailer, but you can also put together your own with some band-aids, antiseptic wipes, topical antibiotic ointment and aspirin. You should also have some supplies to for major injuries and some knowledge. For more information about putting together your own  first kit check out Building a hiker's first aid kit from WTA . Taking a first aid course from the Red Cross  and  the wilderness First Aid Course from  Mountaineers are both on my agenda so I can become a better leader for my tiny army of tiny people.

8. Knife or Multi-Purpose Tool - Knives are indispensable in the back-country. They can help you prepare food, cut Moleskin or bandages, repair gear, and more.

9. Flashlight and extra batteries - Sometimes a trail can take longer than expected and that is when a good flashlight with some extra batteries will come in handy. I personally keep Petzl TIkka Plus headlamp in my pack. I've had it for years and I really love it but I will admit the LED light bulbs are getting close to the end of there life. So I'll be on the lookout and the hunt for a new headlamp and I'll keep you updated on it.

10. Sun screen and sun glasses - Protect those eyeballs when you are on snow or above the treeline. In between my budget, losing them, me being clumsy and breaking them I choose to buy the cheap ones. Sunscreen is one of those things that important for everyone no matter the skin type.


Bonus Tip If you spend the money on passes don't forget them at home.

And a few other items you should consider: insect repellent, whistle, watch, emergency blanket, mirror (for signaling), duct tape (great for repairing anything), gloves, extra socks, and an orange vest (during hunting season).

Here is a picture of my 3 year old son's pack

Hobbit Village at Federation Forest State Park

The Hobbit Village in Federation Forest State Park was a hike that was done on June 18, 2014 and this is the second time we have done this hike although the is near flat the trail does have other issues such mud holes, bridge out and blow downs the trails are used enough that if you come to an issue there is a path that will lead you around it. I had a blast hiking today with a friend from high school and her 3 monkeys.

-----UPDATE----
I've gotten some feedback from people and I've heard that its difficult to find the Hobbit Village. I then went to trusty google and tried to find someone that had already posted easy direction to Hobbit Village and found out that many experienced hikers have had troubles finding it each time. So far I've found the trail all 4 times we've been there and we've seen the Village 3 times.

I took a picture of the map on the hiker board outside the Interpretive Center.
From the Interpretive Center wanted to follow the West Trail but getting to it is weird.

Start Here

Turn Right toward the Natches Trail, Wind in the Woods Loo Trail and Esther Maltby.

 

Keep going forward toward the Natches Trail, Wind in the Woods Loo Trail and Esther Maltby.

 

Go Left  and you'll find the Fred Cleator Interpretive Trails Sign.

 

When you find this big guy look for the West Loop 1 Mile sign.

 

You made it to the West Trail keep going!

 

Go right for the nature trail.

 

Turn Right to go through the Greenlees Grove and toward the highway parking area.

 

Go forward don't turn  left 

 

The other parking lot is off to the right and so is 410.
You made it to the beginning of the Gnome Trail to Hobbit Village.
At this point it's the trail that is much more narrow.

The little boys on the hike holding hands. 

MUD in one spot my son was trying to just go through it and he lost a boot.
No worries it was pulled out of the mud and put back on.

As your approaching the village you'll see this hush tree face.

This was a little scene was on a turned over tree. 

I personally have a love for the WTA and I thought this was cute

Superman stole my hat.

Got Mail.

It's fun for kids take a to leave Gnome.

To get there, take I-5 South to I-405 North, merging onto SR 167 after 2 miles. Follow 167 a little less than 20 miles to Highway 410 East. Follow 410 through Enumclaw for just over 23 miles. Around milepost 41, find well-signed Federation Forest State Park on the right-hand side of the highway.

For current tail on conditions WTA Trail Reports

Don't forget the 10 Essentials for Hiking

A Discovery Pass is needed for this trail

Tips for Hiking with Kids