What chance do you ever have of seeing a river being born? Here's a great opportunity right in Mount Rainier National Park. That's right. You can get up close to the Carbon Glacier in one of the most popular hikes on the northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park. When you get to the terminus of the Carbon Glacier, you'll see huge chunks of ice and flowing water -- breaking out of an ice cave - the headwaters of the Carbon River.
Hiking to Carbon Glacier follows the first three miles of the Wonderland Trail toward Moraine Park. The trail maintains a gentle uphill grade as it parallels the Carbon River. Soon after meeting the trail to Seattle Park, the Wonderland Trail crosses the river on a suspension bridge just below the snout of the Carbon Glacier. Do not approach the glacier as rock and ice fall are common!
Carbon Glacier Trail is a moderately difficult, seven mile round-trip hike gaining 1200 feet elevation and has a high point of 3400 feet. Allow three hours to complete. The trail is accessible July to October. The trailhead is located at the road end at Ipsut Creek Campground, five miles inside the northwest entrance to the park at Carbon River.
