Melmont Ghost Town

This hike to the remains of an old coal mining town (located on White River School District property) is relatively easy, albeit often very muddy in all seasons. The path follows an abandoned rail grade, most of which (from the western approaches) is owned by Pierce County Parks as part of the future Foothills trail.

If you look around the site enough, you can find the remnants of an old bridge abutment where a wagon bridge used to span the river. The old hotel was sited here. Up the hill opposite the obvious townsite field, you will find the remnants of the old school basement. It is interesting to note that much of the original wood from this school structure was recycled in the 20's and used in building the Carbon River Ranch, a building a few more miles down the road towards the Carbon River entrance that will soon be the park's new visitor greeting station and maintenance yard, and eventually, a new campground to replace the lost Ipsut car campground.

Please be respectful of the site when visiting, and treat it as an important historical site. Leave things as you find them for others to enjoy. If you see illegal hunting camps on the townsite, please report them to the White River SD. If you visit the easier-to-access Fairfax townsite across the river and see any illegal hunting activity, please report it to Pierce County Parks.

Also please abide by the closure to all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic of the Fairfax Bridge and remain off the bridge.