The Green Lake trail head is three miles up the Carbon River Road from the Ranger Station. You can either bike or walk on the mostly gravel road (some areas around the washout are sandy) as it is closed from the park entrance. So easy walking to the trail head, then up 1.8 miles for about 1200 feet elevation gain to Green Lake. There were a few patches of snow just before getting to the lake. Very beautiful, but no view of Mt. Rainier--just views of the ridges above the lake. Such a treat to be in those big old trees, hundreds of trillium and ferns just starting to unfurl.

We went for a trail run this morning - wanted to get away from civilization for awhile. Parked at Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier (make sure you have a pass to enter).

Ran on the road 3 miles to the trailhead, then walked up to Green Lake. Hit some snow the last 1/4 mile before the lake - it was early enough in the morning that it was still pretty firm. Fought over snacks with the jays at the lake, jogged down the trail and back to the car.

Just under 10 miles total - round trip took 2 hours (not including car drive from Enumclaw). A perfect run on a sunny morning. We did it in running shoes - they were fine except for the snow. Later in the day it might have soaked into our shoes more.

The road to the trailhead is washed out in places, but there is a well-maintained trail that meanders through. Good enough for hikers and runners, and probably bikers as well (at least to the Green Lake trailhead).

3/26/09 Carbon River to Ranger Falls
I had a second interview today and I needed to clear my head before, so I headed out on the only sunny day predicted for weeks. Weather was decent, the mountain was out, and that is always a great start to the day. Roads to Carbon River station were clear until about a mile in and then traces of snow & ice on road. I started out about 8:30, road was slick in spots, slow going for first hour, then with more snow it got easier. Once I hit the first jumbled mess of trees down I lost the trail for about 20 mins. I tried to go around some downed trees to the right and it ended up not being the way so I back tracked where I started and stared at this huge pile of jumbled trees and saw a blue piece of tape and was like what, where, which way…the tape didn’t respond…. Finally after another 5 mins of looking all around high and low I saw some yellow caution tape on the other side of the creek so I climbed on another down tree to where it was and that was the trail again…I hate it when that happens and I’m alone, it helps to have more eyes. I’ve been on this trail 3-4 times but never in snow and everything looks different.
Birds were singing, sun was shinning through the rain forest. I love this area, not a sole in sight. I followed the fox tracks for a long time. I got to the trailhead for Green Lake and headed up, thought I would put on snow shoes very soon. After I climed over another big tree, I put on my snow shoes and just then heard a noise that scared me, it was 2 Marines coming over the log. They were nice enough. Asked me what time I started and they had to brag they started way later than me and caught up to me.. I said I’m slow…
The snow was wet in places, then crusty, then none existent…and then the ice bombs were horrible! It wasn’t snow bombs it was hard ice pellets crashing down every 2 minutes, I’ve never moved so fast to get off a trail. I raced up to Ranger Falls and back down as quick as I could. I didn’t bother with Green Lake, I’ve seen it before and I was drenched. Thank goodness I had extra hat and jacket to peel off the wet layers and get warm. Much quicker going back to the car too. Today was my 18th hike of the year. Stats 9 miles 5 hours elevation not sure.

As the road is still closed from the Park Entrance, a short 4 mile hike turns into a 10 mile RT. No skis or snowshoes are required to the trailhead. Once on the trail keep the snowshoes off until you climb over a large log on the trail about 200 yds up. I went when it was warm, about mid 30's and it was a slush fest. I still sank about a foot with the snowshoes but better than not having them at all. There is still about 2 1/2 feet of snow at the lake. No navigation issues, easy to find. There is a foot bridge near the lake that could be an issue but its packed snow now and should be fine.