Carbon Glacier — Saturday, Jul. 18, 2009

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

This was my first overnight backpacking trip and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience!!! The trail begins at the Ranger Station and leads you five miles in over a relatively flat (a slight incline hiking in) road that was once used by cars. The camp site used to be for car camping until much of the road was washed out (you'll see just where on the way in; it's easily accessible on foot or bike, however) so there are nice amenities: bear poles, bathrooms (which had toilet paper when I was there), picnic tables, and soft, clean earth for tents. The camp site is a stone's throw from the Carbon river, but if you travel just a little way up the trail you encounter Ipsut Falls, which is much easier on your water filter if you need to get more water. The walk to the glacier is a little more rigorous than the walk in, climbing about 1,000 ft over 3.5 miles. Most of the path is pretty clean and easy to walk. Keep an eye out for occasional roots and rocks. There will be one point, early in the hike to the glacier, where you will have to walk over stones to cross a stream so be careful and wear waterproof boots and wool socks if you have them. You will cross the river several times by way of log bridges. The majority have hand rails, and those that don't are pretty wide. It's hardly nerve-wracking. The entire trail is beautifully scenic; you will never lack a good view so the pay off is enormous! I went on a perfect day; sunny in the mid-70's with a slight breeze. We left in the morning to beat the heat and most of the other hikers, though I didn't encounter more than a dozen over the course of the hike. The glacier itself provides a spectacular view of the surrounding areas as well. There are plenty of large, flat rocks to have a sit and enjoy the scenery. There are wildflowers blooming near the glacier, or at least there was when I was there. This is the perfect trail to take a novice backpacker! The campsite is fantastic, the trail isn't overrun with people, the sites are absolutely spectacular. The five miles of trail leading in to the campsite provides a view of some rainforest and some amazing washout damage. Again, fantastic hike!