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

Frozen Lake and Shadow Lake

At Sunrise there are bathroom, trash, gift shop, and restaurant
Time on the trail 4 hours
Length of trail: About  3.5 Miles

Elevation 500 Gain
Animals Seen on the trail deer pikas and squirrels

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

After having ice cream at Sunrise Visitor Center we where ready for another adventure so we set off to do the Sunrise Nature Trail well as I was reading the signs to my little guy he decided to he wanted to see Frozen Lake so we changed our plans as we stood taking in all the view of Mount Rainier the Sourdough Range and all the wildflowers. 

Sunrise Area Trails

Lupine & Mount Rainier

Doe a deer a female deer

Red Paintbrush & Lupine 

Frozen Lake


We made it to frozen lake and instead of turning around we decided to go down to the Sunrise camp grounds and Shadow Lake. For this portion I would suggest that you make sure that the trail is free of snow before setting out. We had to cross 2 snow fields in July. The visitors center has some awesome rangers that are able to answer all kinds of questions about the trails.

Looking up at the ridge from Sunrise camp grounds

Shadow Lake

 Once we got down to Shadow Lake I noticed that the sun was getting low in the sky although we had head lamps and put them I also made the decision to put my Little Dude on my shoulders and pack him out the rest of the way.

A Beautiful Meadow

Mount Rainier

We made it off the trail before it was dark and back to sunrise point to take a peak of the sunset which is beautiful from that spot.





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

Driving Directions

From Enumclaw, drive east 43 miles on State Route 410 to the Mount Rainier National Park White River Entrance. Veer right onto the Sunrise Road and follow it 17 miles west to the large parking lot and visitor center at the road's end. Note: Sunrise Road usually doesn't open until early July.

Grove of the Patriarchs Loop

This trail was a lot of fun lots with a minimal amount of elevation gain of 50 feet and only about 1.5 miles long. It took us about 90 minutes to do this hike. This is a great hike for little legs in my opinion.

The Grove of Patriarchs has a few fun features such as a suspension bridge to cross over the Ohanapecosh River and very large trees some of them are 40 feet around and stand nearly 300 feet. There are also couple of spots where the trail gets close to the river where kids throw rocks in the water.  At the trail head there is bathrooms with running water and picnic tables where we at lunch and saw some stellar blue jays.

Pass for Mount Rainier National Park is required for this trail it's currently $15 for a pass that is good for 7 days or there is an annual pass for $30.

Driving Directions:

From Enumclaw, drive east about 47 miles on State Route 410 to the junction with SR 123 at Cayuse Pass. Stay right (straight ahead) to merge onto SR 123-Cayuse Pass Highway. Drive south about 11.5 miles to the junction with the Stevens Canyon Road. Turn right (west) and pass through the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the park. About 0.25 mile from SR 123, park in the lot on the north side of the road.
From Ohanapecosh, drive north 2 miles on SR 123 to the Stevens Canyon Road. Turn left (west) and pass through the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the park. About 0.25 mile from SR 123, park in the lot on the north side of the road.
Note: SR 123 was severely damaged by the November 2006 floods. Although the road has been reopened, call to check on road conditions. Park Headquarters 360.569.2211

For current fee into  Mt. Rainier National Park click on this link
For current trail condition check out Washington Trail Association 

Tips for Hiking with kids

14 Tips for Hiking with Kids

1. FOOD - some snack and lunch ideas PBJ's Bagels, tortilla ham, and cheese wraps, sting cheese, cut up carrots, grapes, fruit snacks, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix

2. WATER - Little guys get dehydrated easy so make sure to bring plenty

3. WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES - If there is going to be water or mud near the trail you might want an extra pair of shoes for the little one I know my guy is attracted to the mud. I like to have a pair of saddles waiting for me in the car so my feet can breath after a hike.


4. Keep on the look out for interesting things on the trail such as ferns, bugs, holes and critters

5. CAMERA - bring a camera or just use your phone.

6. ADVENTURE PACK - some ideas for the adventure pack play binoculars, play compass, favorite small toy, books related to outdoors, kids camera, bug catcher, magnifying glass, water bottle and one snack item. Normally my son has a pack with a water bottle and snacks  

7. PLAY GAMES  & SING SONGS, monster-jumping-out-from-behind-a-bush, find-the-hidden-trail, ants go marching two-by-two—you name it. Almost any silly antic will distract young hikers from remembering how hungry, tired, or bored they are.

8. LENGTH  - When choosing the length of the hike pick one that is suitable for the youngest hiker

9. REMEMBER WHY YOU'RE THERE - You’re there to hike with kids. Outside, in the fresh air, for fun.

10. CARRIER - If you plan on doing a hike that may be a little to difficult for the little legs that are with a carrier will help you complete the hike.

11. BRING FRIENDS-  Hiking with friends always makes the a hike fun and a great way to share an experience. I noticed that when hiking with friends my son is distracted by the friends and is willing to go longer.

12. CHOOSING A HIKE - Pick a hike with something interesting to hike to such as a lake, river, or waterfall.

13. LAYER UP - kids get hot quickly but they also cool down in the shadows pretty quickly too.

14. STICK - Don't forget to find a stick it can and maybe used as a walking stick, pointing stick a magic wand or even a sword.


BONUS TIP - Just have fun exploring and don't worry about the destination.

BONUS #2 Keeping Kids Entertained on the Trail 

If you are hiking on Federal or State lands you may need to get a pass in Washington here are some of the most common passes used Passes for Hiking

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