Northwestern Ranier in Mount Rainier National Park

In 1999, the Carbon River Road reopened after years of storm damage. This is a very flood-prone area, and the road closed again after floods washed it out again in 2006. Reconstruction is underway to reopen the first 1.2 miles to cars, but bicyclists and hikers are welcome during the project. Until it's complete, visitors bike or walk 4.5 miles from the ranger station at the park entrance to the Ipsut Creek Campground and the trail heads. Be sure to call the Park Information Line (tel. 360/569-2211) for information before taking any of the northwest Rainier trips.

Storm damage notwithstanding, the best way to reach trails from the Carbon River Road is connecting with the Wonderland Trail or driving in on the Mowich River Road (Wash. 165). Access to the Wonderland Trail along this corner of the park by car, unlike those on the southern and northeastern sides, is limited. The Carbon Glacier, Rainforest, Mystic Lake, Moraine Park, Mowich Lake, and Tolmie Peak trails are accessible from the Carbon River Entrance by foot and the Mowich Lake Road by car, or from the Wonderland Trail on an extended hike.

Carbon Glacier & Moraine Park Trails -- After hiking in the first 4.5 miles on the Carbon River Road, you begin this hike toward Moraine Park on the Wonderland Trail, the first 3 miles of which are a gentle uphill grade as they parallel the beautiful glacial waters of the Carbon River. Subsequently, the trail crosses the river on a suspension bridge just below the lower edge of the Carbon Glacier. Take a right turn on the Wonderland Trail at its junction with the Northern Loop, and the trail will lead you to the edge of this, the lowest and seemingly most monstrous glacier in the Lower 48. The trail then becomes a series of steep switchbacks that lead you through the neighboring forest to Moraine Park. Along the way, you'll pass several campsites (Carbon River, Dick Creek, and, farther along, Mystic Lake). The elevation gain is 1,200 to 3,300 feet, depending on the route you take. 17-21 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Carbon River Entrance Station.

Mystic Lake Trail -- To reach Mystic Lake, you must first hike to the narrow, subalpine valley of Moraine Park, a moderate to strenuous trip. When the hike includes Mystic Lake, the round-trip distance becomes 21 miles, with elevation gains of 3,900 feet. Beyond the park, the trail goes over two small, wooded ridges, then descends a short distance to Mystic Lake. The trail was named by two early naturalists who claimed to have seen a mysterious whirlpool near the lake's outlet. Many people use the campsites around Mystic Lake as base camps for exploring the Curtis Ridge area; they have spectacular views of the Winthrop and Carbon glaciers. 21 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Carbon River Entrance Station.

Spray Park Trail -- Go to Spray Falls at sunset if you want to see the light hit the spray action. Set amid subalpine meadows, Spray Falls is a spectacular sight in the summer when the flowers are blooming, although most of the hike proceeds through forested terrain. The trail head intersects the Wonderland Trail after a .25-mile descent. Follow the Spray Park Trail east for 2 miles, through the woods, across Lee Creek, and eventually to a junction with a spur trail to overlook the falls. The next .5 mile to the Spray Park Meadows is a steep climb up a series of switchbacks. Even more extensive meadows come into view in another .5 mile. The whole trip has an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. 6 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Southeast side of Mowich Lake Walk-in Campground, at the end of Mowich Lake Rd.

Tolmie Peak -- This is a hugely popular day hike, with lots of traffic from weekenders and kids, but you can't really go that wrong anywhere around here. The trail proceeds gently through 1.25 miles of forested woodland to the junction at Ipsut Pass (elev. 5,100 ft.). Stay left and proceed uphill another 1.75 miles to the subalpine meadows at Eunice Lake for a look at how far you're going to have to climb to Tolmie Peak. Note: Tolmie Peak is closed to overnight backpackers. The entire hike has a 1,010-foot elevation gain. 6.5 miles RT. Moderate. Access: End of Mowich Lake Rd. on left side of lake.