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This section of the Foothills trail is sandwiched below the road to the Carbon Entrance to Mt. Rainier but well above the Carbon River, in nice forest making for a pleasant hike. Along the way, there are several sections where the old railroad bed was built up with huge retaining walls. You can peer over in several spots and admire the well-crafted walls that still look good and are holding. From the bridge, for a longer hike, you could easily continue into the Melmont Ghost Town section of the trail. Others just park at the bridge, climb down to the trail and do that section separately. You could start at the bridge but then you will have no goal, unless you wanted to hike down to Carbonado, visit the Saloon, then hike back.
Access:
Just drive Hwy 165 out of Buckley to Carbonado. Do not drive into the town but continue on Hwy. 165 a half-mile or so toward the Carbon River Entrance to Mt. Rainier. You will see some parking on the side of the road and a big temporary sign saying Foothills Trailhead.
Route:
Going left to the bridge is the goal. To the right will just take you into Carbonado and some not too interesting terrain. Head to the bridge enjoying a nice forested walk.
Foothills Trail: Carbonado to the Fairfax Bridge
Hiking Distance: 2 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 40 feet
Access: Paved
Temporary sign
Not too interesting at first
Still not that interesting
The old railroad grade carved through hill
Wood section of the Fairfax Bridge
Under the Fairfax Bridge
This shot was his idea
Under the Fairfax Bridge
To continue past the bridge, see:
Wood bridge on the highway above
Retaining wall for the railroad grade (with trees removed to protect the wall)
Slow corners make for boring kid hikes
Foothills Trail section Carbonado to Fairfax Bridge