To get to the Lester trailhead, we had our GPS first get us to Stampede Pass using I90. We followed the Forest Road 54 after that. Using GPS coordinates took us to a private road that is shut down and nowhere near where we needed to be. The road through the mountains is REALLY bumpy so you'll have to go slow. Watch out for people speeding around the corners... Once we got there we went around a big yellow gate and walked along the road. There is a washed out part you have to be careful on but it still felt sturdy with what was left. Do not go onto the bridge you'll see off to the left, that is an ACTIVE railroad bridge. When you get down along the trail a little further, you'll see the main buildings often pictured for Lester off to the left across the middle grassy area and railroad, but if you go a little further to the right there's 2 more buildings and a trailer with a janky makeshift roof. Lots of squatter trash but still lots of authentic artifacts. Definitely worth the trip. Lester has a lot of history we read about before going. It used to be a logging town, but then fires took out a lot of the trees and the City of Tacoma shut down the town to protect the water quality in the Green River watershed. The last remaining resident died at age 99 in 2002.

Nice, easy hike. Park at the gate, walk across the tracks, then straight down to the town. No real elevation gain at all. On the left side of the tracks you'll see the main structures fairly quickly. You can keep going down a ways, (though it looks like Tacoma Water has fences up not too far down) but our group was primarily just out there to drive Stampede Pass, so we didn't. Planning to go back another time, and see if there is more exploring to be had!

Not much of a hike, definitely more of a long walk with a great payout at the end.  Very little risk of getting lost - just stay on the road that runs along the railroad track.

When I went the buildings were still standing, offering a snapshot of history.  Lots of relics on the ground so be sure to look around (and watch your step). The town is right next to the watershed - rangers watch the watershed like a hawk so mind the signs and stay out of it.

The drive in is difficult - several miles of unpaved road winding along the mountain.  Best suited for 4WD or AWD and higher ground clearance.

The mileage is wrong. It's approximately 4.5 miles round trip. We went beyond the (very obvious) signs thinking we needed to go further to find the abandoned Ghost Town. A friendly employee corrected our course. If you reach the watershed signs, obey them and turn around and look more closely to the side of the trial and across the tracks to find the abandoned homes. Beautiful trees and riverfront. Ran the trail with the dog.