Located just outside the northern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park, Carbon Ridge is a highpoint between Old Baldy and Pitcher Mountain. These 3 peaks are quite visible from the south Puget Sound area, that's if you can stop looking at the massive bulk of Mt. Rainier towering behind these peaks. Often overlooked, Carbon Ridge is a perfect climb anytime and the views of the Puget lowlands as well as Rainier make it a top spot for peakbagging.

Carbon Ridge

WillhiteWeb.com

Access:

Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet or less
Summit Elevation: 5,682 feet
Access: Gravel road - any vehicle

The Route:

Walk up the road or drive as far as you can. It gets rough and is probably abandoned by now. Follow your progress by the switchbacks on the map. As you approach and cross Kennedy Creek, start looking for a route up the south face of Carbon Ridge. Due to a forest fire, the hillside should have some bare spots. I went up the southeast ridge as shown on the map. Terrain isn't too steep and the route will be obvious.

Find your way to the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Just before the entrance, turn left where you see a long bridge crossing the Carbon River. Cross the bridge, turn right. Follow this road watching for when it turns north into the Cayada Creek drainage. After about a mile, be looking for an old road cutting back left.

Washington Hiking

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