Your Free Personal Guide to the Northern Entrances, Areas,And Trails of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State

Your free personal guide to the Northern Entrances, Areas,and trails of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State.

Created by Shelley Wright owner of Carbon Countrys Shady Rest Bed and Breakfast

The beauty and splendor of Mount Rainier photographed from the Mowich Lake Entrance at the Northwest Entrance

Welcome to Your Free personal guide to the Northern Entrances, Areas and Trails of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. My name is Shelley Wright and together with my husband Mark we are the owners and operators of Carbon Countrys Shady Rest Bed and Breakfast., which is located at the Northwest Corner of Mount Rainier. Mark hails from the great state of Texas but decided to relocate to Washington approximately 16 years ago. We have enjoyed 15 years of marriage and have been the proud developers, builders and owners of the Shady Rest for the last 7 years. I on the other hand am a true blue born and raised Northern girl from Washington State. I have lived my entire over 45 years of life at the Northwestern Carbon Mowich Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. I have had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the small town community setting in Carbonado Washington with a total population of just over 600 residence. I have also been given the rare opportunity of visiting all four of the entrances to Mount Rainier National Park numerous times throughout my lifetime. The Carbon Mowich Entrance in the Northwestern corner, the White River Entrance in the Northeastern corner, the Sunrise Entrance in the Northern Corner and the Paradise Entrance in the South corner. Not only have I been rewarded this wonderful experience, I have been graciously provided the opportunity of enabling 5 children and now 7

grandchildren the wonder, the experience and the amazement of Mount Rainier National Park. Many of these experiences and memories were the inspiration for the opening of Carbon Countrys Shady Rest Bed and Breakfast located at the Northwest Corner. Memories abound of camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, creek wading, fishing, picnicking, backpacking, Sunday driving around the entire mountain, and the never ending awesome adventure of new discovery. I have been graced with these experiences through the eyes of a child and also now as an adult. I do believe given the choice, I again would choose to live, laugh, learn and love in the foothills of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State Now I would like to share with you and yours a few tips, hints and suggestions so you and yours will feel safe, prepared, and informed while experiencing the wonderful adventures located at the North Entrances to Mount Rainier National Park http://www.carboncountrysshadyrest.com/

This unique and personal free guide will provide to you some of the choices, limitations and opportunities while visiting the area in and around the North Entrances to Mount Rainier National Park.

Table of Contents

1. Cell internet and gps services-non existent 2. Food and Eats Carbonado Saloon and Burnett Store 3. Fuel Services (Only a few choices) 4. Drinking Water- Hydrate yourself and carry enough to last 5. Public Services beyond Carbonado-no public restrooms.

6. Carbon River Ranger Station-limited hours of operation 7. Dangers of Lake and River Swimming-Extreme Cold Glacier Water 8. Native Fishing-Difficult to catch but great eating. Seasonal 9. First Aid Preparedness-Be prepared for accident no immediate medical response services. 10. Credit/Debit/Cash-Most area businesses accept but cash is best 11. Wildlife-Be aware of deer, elk, bear, mountain varmints and other critters. 12. Back Country Driving- Log trucks, ice, snow, ORV’s and road conditions 13. Trail Map 14. General Weather conditions. Usually 5-10 degrees cooler in the higher elevations 15. Littering and disturbing of foliage and fauna (pack it in pack it out)-huge fines enforced.

Cell Phone and Internet and Services. Although these services are available in most towns and cities surrounding Mount Rainier, when traveling to the higher elevations these services become virtually non-existent even with the best provided carriers. Please travel prepared with hardcopy maps and or compasses and let a friend or relative know where you it is you will be exploring and discovering in the Mount Rainier area.

Food and Eats

The cities of Sumner, Bonneylake, Buckley, Enumclaw and Auburn all provide many eating establishments ranging from steak and seafood to burger joints to coffee stands. Upon leaving these surrounding towns and cities and venturing into the high country, food and eats tend to be less abundant. At the Carbon Mowich entrance the Carbonado Saloon provides a wonderful menu of burgers sandwiches etc, but you must me 21 to enter. Burnett Store located along highway 165 approximately 40 minutes from the park entrance is really the last stop for snacks, drinking water, camping supplies etc. and hosts an awesome delhi with both hot and cold items cooked on location. If you are traveling to any of the many forest lands which require a northwest forest pass, these can also be purchased at The Burnett Store and at the Forest Service Office in Enumclaw.

Fuel Services

Again many fuel stops are available in the lower surrounding cities of Mount Rainer but be sure and fill up before heading to hills. At the Carbon Entrance the last place to obtain fuel and or services of this nature is at Gallions in Wilkeson which is located approximately 30 minutes before the ipsut entrance and approximately a 1 hour drive before the Mowich Lake entrance. No fuel services are available after leaving Wilkeson on the way to the Carbon Mowich Entrance. The last opportunity for fuel at the White River and Sunrise Entrances outside of Enumclaw is at The Greenwater Store along highway 410. No services are available again until either the city of Packwood or on the east side of the cascades in the City of Yakima or if traveling to the south entrance of the park fuel is available in the cities of Elbe, Morton, Ashford and Randle. So please make sure you are prepared with a full tank of fuel while traveling.

Drinking Water

Although all fuel stops, grocers and others provide bottled water for purchase it is always a good idea to carry some type of personal drinking water container when exploring in the Mount Rainier area. Even though rivers, lakes, streams and ponds are in abundance it is not always wise or safe to obtain drinking water from these sources. Containers for holding cooling water for overheating of vehicle engines is also advised when traveling on many of the steep and winding roads located at the North Entrances of Mount Rainier National Park.

Public Restrooms and Sanitation Stations

Here again many public restrooms are located in grocers, eating establishments and fuel stops, Many of these will advertise “restrooms provided for customers only”. When in the higher elevations inside and outside of the park boundaries sanitation stations are provided but usually do not provide running water or an extended sewer system due to the freezing and non access in the winter months. Sanitation stations basically provide exactly what they say “a place to take care of basic necessities and the ability to sanitize using a liquid type of hand sanitizer.” Carbon River Ranger Station

Carbon River Ranger Station is located at the Northwest Entrance Mount Rainier National Park 5.5 miles from the Mowich cut off Junct. 165 and is operated on a limited basis. Visitors can call 360- 829-9639 for more information.

High Elevation River, Lake and Stream Swimming

Many visitors when visiting the State of Washington will experience extreme change in temperature in different areas. In low level inland areas temperatures can range from a lovely 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. On the eastern side of Washington summer temps will climb into the 80’s and 90’s. These high temperatures invite many visitors to explore the numerous lakes, rivers and streams in our area. Guests visiting the areas in around Mount Rainer should remember high elevation (above 1000 feet above sea level) lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds are often created by mountain snow and ice melt or many times glacier melting runoff. Extreme caution should be used when entering the waters around Mount Rainier. Also many of these tempting “swimming” areas are not attended by lifeguards or park rangers. Please honor any areas where “no swimming or entering the water” signs or rules are posted. Even if no warning signs are established, still be cautious of extreme cold water temperatures

before indulging in waters which perhaps have been created by snow, ice or glacier melt.

Fishing lakes, rivers and streams

There are many areas which provide visitors the experience of casting a line in attempt to snag the biggest or the most of the daily catch. Washington State Game and Fisheries Laws provide rules and regulations regarding licenses, areas available, seasonal fishing etc. and can be obtained from any local sports store. Work sports and More in Enumclaw carries this brochure of information as does Wal- Mart in Bonneylake. So before heading out to begin your great fishing adventure take a look at these rules and regulations so you do not get caught having to tell the story of “the one that got away”

Medical First Aid and Search and Rescue Although many areas within the park boundaries are staffed by park rangers and volunteers who are there to assist in an emergency. Visitors should always keep in mind when exploring in remote

areas to carry basic first aid supplies i.e.; bandages, splints, antiseptic cream, water, etc. Refer to “the ten essentials”. Since cell and internet service systems are extremely difficult to track, personal responsibility is always a good practice. Search and rescue services are also available in most areas but again be safe by carrying these basic supplies. Perhaps you will be able to assist another individual who wasn’t prepared for exploring in the back country.

Debit/Credit and Cash

Most grocers, food establishments, gift shops and fuel stops are prepared to accept debit and credit. Park entrance fees especially at the less traveled entrances are not always set up to accept plastic so always a good idea to carry some cash so a long drive up a steep gravel road to does not end in a wasted trip.

Wildlife in and around park boundaries

As expected wildlife such as elk, deer, bear, cougar and mountain varmints such as raccoons, beaver, skunk, chipmunks and squirrels become breath taking when viewed amongst the forest. Washington’s National Parks are home to many of these species. Caution should be used when traveling along roads, trails and all other areas as the animals have the right away. As with any wild creature please refrain from feeding of these animals as it upsets the natural circle of life found in their natural habitat.

Back Country Driving

This photo was taken on the road into Mowich Lake shows the area being covered by approximately 12 inches of snow in mid January 2014. For this reason many of the high country roads will be posted as “closed” during the late winter months. Although they may still be accessed via snowshoes or cross country skis. Some of these access roads may also be unpaved and are littered with “chuck holes” (a shallow dip in the road caused by puddles from recent rains). A fast moving vehicle can easily be thrown to either side of a narrow road due to these little bumps. Many roads are extremely narrow and the possibility of meeting logging trucks, off road vehicles, recreational vehicles and even hikers and horseback riders is a high possibility. Driving in and around Mount Rainier National Park is one of life’s greatest adventures but caution is advised. Sunrise via the North Entrance is host to the highest drivable point of Mount Rainer and sits an an elevation of approximately 5000 feet above sea level. Below see the one lane bridge crossing the Carbon River located 400 feet below. Visitors are able to park on the far side of the bridge and walk out onto small

observation decks to view the milky waters below fed by the Carbon Glacier inside Mount Rainier National Park.

Trail map of area hiking trails at the Northwest Entrance

Carbon River Area Trails

As a result of major flooding in 2006, the severely damaged Carbon River Road is now open only to hiking and bicycling. Bicycles are permitted on the road to Ipsut Creek Backcountry Camp, beyond which only hikers are allowed. Bicycles are not permitted on any trails originating from the Carbon River Road. Pets are prohibited beyond the entrance. All trails listed in this section begin at the Carbon River Ranger Station; round- trip distances and hiking times are calculated from this location. Wear sturdy shoes; be prepared to cross washouts and hike around and over debris. For your safety, always carry the 10 Essentials: a topographic map, compass, extra food, extra clothing/rain gear, emergency shelter, first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, sunglasses and sunscreen, pocketknife, and matches (for emergency use only—fires are not allowed in Mount Rainier’s Wilderness). Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Mowich Lake Area Trails Moderate Trails Tolmie Peak Trail 5.6 miles round-trip. 1010' elevation gain. Average hiking time: 3 hours. The trail begins at the last bend in the road on the Mowich Lake Road, 5.5 miles from the park boundary. Please stay on the main trail near Eunice Lake to protect the fragile environment.

Spray Park Trail 6 miles round-trip. 1300' elevation gain. Average hiking time: 4 hours. The trail begins on the west side of the Mowich Lake Campground. Take the 0.25 mile spur to Spray Falls, a 300' cascading waterfall. Cross Streams Safely Always use bridges and footlogs to cross streams safely. If none are available, first look for a straight, wide area and slow moving water below knee height. Be aware of any downstream hazards that could trap you if you fall in. Use a sturdy stick to maintain 2 points of contact with the ground. Loosen the waist strap on your pack and look forward. Pets & bicycles are prohibited on hiking trails and in off-trail areas. Easy Trails Rain Forest Loop Trail 0.25 mile loop. Discover nurse logs and other rainforest characteristics along the self-guided loop trail. Old Mine Trail 2.9 miles round-trip. 100’ elevation gain. Average hiking time: 2 hours. Follow the road 1.2 miles, then take a steeper, 1/4-mile spur trail to a gated mine entrance.

Moderate Trails

Green Lake Trail 10.0 miles round-trip. 1000’ elevation gain. Average hiking time: 5 hours. One mile past the turnoff, a spur trail leads to Ranger Falls. Chenuis Falls 7.8 miles round-trip. Average hiking time: 4.5 hours Check trail conditions first; the footlog is subject to washout. Strenuous Trails West Boundary Trail 4.0 miles round-trip. 2800’ elevation gain. Average hiking time: 4 hours. Departing from the back of the Rain Forest Loop Trail, this trail accesses a high ridgeline via waterfalls and forested slopes. Carbon Glacier Trail (Wonderland Trail) 17.5 miles round-trip. 1200’ elevation gain. Average hiking time: 8 hours. Sections of this trail have been rerouted; watch for detour signs.

General Weather Conditions

As shown in this photo the weather in the mountain areas can at times be sunny and warm in some of the lower elevations. This photo taken on the trail to the Melmont Meadow at an elevation of about 1000 feet above sea level displays a beautiful summer day. Temperature in the summer and early fall months will range from 65 -80 degrees. Temperatures in the winter and spring months will range from 35-55 degrees and conditions will range from cold wet rain to snow and ice. Always check weather conditions and dress appropriately.

In the higher elevations above 1000 feet above sea level such as Sunrise at 5000 feet and Spray Falls at even higher, temperatures can be deceiving and range anywhere from 10-15 degrees cooler at all times of year.

My beautiful daughter, son in law and grandchildren hiking mid September at Spray Falls.

Fauna, Folage and Littering

Mount Rainier National Park is surrounded by lush forest, flowers and other forms of underbrush. The high Alpine meadows are a wonder to the eye in the summer months and are saught out by many visitors. Numerous varieties of berries and other edible plants are also abundant amongs all of the Washington forests.

Although tempting to forage, plants such as berries, mushrooms, pinecones, barks or any other type of flora or fauna, is to be left in its natural state as to continue the natural cycle of these beautiful natural wonders. Gathering of such treasures is permissible outside of the park boundaries in some rural areas and forest service preserves. When visiting the park enjoy viewing but refrain from picking or cutting and avoid the extra cost of a fine imposed for disturbing the natural habitat of the native folage. Fines are also heavily endorsed for any littering or leaving behind of any items not native to the forests of Washington State.

Mark and I enjoying the Crystal Mountain gondola ride.

Mark and I truly hope this guide has assisted you to feel comfortable, safe and informed when planning a trip to the North Entrances of Mount Rainier National Park. We love where we live, running our business and most of all helping our visitors to experience the wonder, the beauty and the enchantment of our area. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance and allow us to be a part of perhaps enhancing your next visit to Mount Rainier National Park. Carboncountrysshadyrest.com

Blessings Mark and Shelley Wright 360-829-1827