Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
Running between Wilkeson and Carbonado, this branch off the Foothills Trail is an old railroad grade with a wide path that loops through second growth woodland to gain 400 feet of elevation between the two towns.
Park at the Wilkeson Fire Department and walk across Highway 165 to the paved Foothills Trail. Take the branch that goes uphill, into the trees. (The other branch goes a quarter-mile along the highway to the Wilkeson trestle and ends.)
The trail is paved for about half-mile. After crossing a road, the trail becomes unpaved but is still a wide railroad grade. Hikers and bikers can easily share this section, and often do.
This old branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad was built to access coal deposits in the area. It served several towns: Wilkeson and Carbonado and also what are now the ghost towns of Melmont and Fairfax farther south.
In around 3 miles reach the Carbonado Cemetery. Bear right, cross a road, and continue another half mile or so in the woods. You can turn around when you reach the entrance to Carbonado at Pershing Avenue, for an 8 mile round trip. Or walk through Carbonado, quiet on a weekday, to the end of Pershing Avenue where the historic Carbonado Saloon serves burgers and good draft beer.
WTA Pro Tip: Back in Wilkeson, pizza is available at the Carlson Block. For an after-dinner stroll, rich in history, visit the coke ovens just outside of town. This is an excellent hike in late fall, and is probably good for most of the winter as well.
Trailhead
