Carbon Glacier and Moraine,  Mt Rainier National Park,  September 13, 2003     page 1 / 14

My son, Tom, and I headed to Mt. Rainier recently. The area on the north side of the mountain, particularly along the Carbon River, is one of my favorites. The trailhead is at the Carbon River campground at an elevation of roughly 2300 feet. The trail begins among massive old growth timber, then along the rocky river's edge, and eventually crosses a suspension bridge just below the Carbon Glacier. The bridge lies 3 miles from the trailhead, and at 3250 feet above sea level. Just one-quarter mile more and one can see incredible views of the terminus of the Carbon Glacier. As we watched, we could hear rocks and ice falling, sometimes visible, but usually hidden.