Skip to main content

Carbon Glacier, Mount Rainier National Park | July 15-16, 2021

Destination

  • Northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park: Carbon Glacier and Ipsut Pass
  • Ipsut Creek campground

Difficulty Rating

  • Easy to Ipsut Creek campground (former road)
  • Medium/hard: setting aside the former road to Ipsut Creek campground, the trails were more technical and the climb up to Ipsut Pass is long and unrelenting. However, the tread on the trails was overall quite good, making much of this trip runnable.

Noteworthy

  • Former car camping campground at Ipsut Creek had numerous campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, and bear lockers. Ground was very hard - difficult to stake my tent. There was an outhouse that seemed to be maintained.
  • Good water source of Ipsut Falls- the Carbon River is rather murky and full of sediment. Ipsut Falls is a short hike past the kiosk and the outhouse.
  • $26/backcountry permit if booked online in advance during the peak season of June 1-September 30. Walk-up permits might be available at no cost. Outside of the peak season, you can only get a walk-up permit-- no online reservations.
  • The nearest ranger station is Carbon River - it's conveniently located to pick up your permit en route to the trailhead. 
  • National park pass to park at the trailhead.
  • Be sure that the bridge over the river isn't out! Otherwise you won't be able to reach Carbon Glacier.

Future Explorations...

  • Getting to Ipsut Creek campground was easy and surprisingly scenic. Being at the campground meant having the luxuries of a picnic table and a bear locker.  
  • If I had stayed 2 nights inside of 1 night I would consider doing a loop around Mother Mountain - descending from Ipsut Pass.  
  • Connecting over to Grand Park or the Burroughs Mountain areas for a multiple-night trip would also be fun.

Resources

Media


Carbon Glacier

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fastpacking to Bainbridge Island | July 12-13, 2022

  Destination Fay Bainbridge Park, on Bainbridge Island, WA   Difficulty Rating Easy: running on roads/sidewalks/shoulders of roads to the park, one long uphill. Roads are quiet but watch for cars especially when the shoulder or sidewalk is narrow or nonexistent. 7 miles, 630 feet of elevation gain from Bainbridge Island ferry terminal to Fay Bainbridge park Noteworthy Fay Bainbridge Park is right on the water and provides a delightful beach access point. Most campsites are not very private and are near volleyball courts and play fields. Some campsites are more secluded or you can glamp by booking a cabin. Campsites have a space for a tent, picnic table and a fire ring. There is a shelter by the beach. Potable water and trash service is available on-site. Firewood is for sale and showers are available in the campground bathroom. Campground host can answer questions. Campsites at the park can be reserved 10 days in advance or there is a walk-up hiker/biker site.   Ferry ride was $9.45 f
Post a Comment
Read more

Lake George & Gobblers Knob, Mount Rainier National Park | September 7-8, 2021

  Destination Lake George and the Gobblers Knob fire lookout in the far southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park Difficulty Rating Easy: 3.8 mile road run on a gravel road to .9 mile of uphill but smooth trail to Lake George. Medium: Gobblers Knob fire lookout as a side trip since although it's a short 1.6 miles one-way to the fire lookout, it gains nearly 1200 feet. Footing generally good on this trail too and you can run downhill.  Noteworthy $26/backcountry permit if booked online in advance during the peak season of June 1-September 30. Walk-up permits might be available at no cost. Outside of the peak season, you can only get a walk-up permit-- no online reservations. The nearest ranger station is at Longmire - it's conveniently located to pick up your permit before you get started. National park pass or fee required to enter the park at the Nisqually entrance. National park-provided campsite on a wooded knoll, outhouse, bear pole to hang up food. About 5 sites avai
Post a Comment
Read more

Colorado Dreaming: 10th Mountain Division Huts & the Tennessee Pass Yurts

The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association system offers outstanding winter and summer recreation opportunities throughout the Colorado Rockies. Here are 3 of my summertime fastpacking trips to huts in the system. Plus images from my trip to one of the Tennessee Pass Yurts, part of Ski Cooper's Nordic system, outside of Leadville, Colorado.
Post a Comment
Read more