Melmont Ghost Town

We started out exploring a section of  the Foothills Rails to Trails which was new for us, and we ended up exploring a ghost town.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate a break in the rain and windstorms.

We started here, just past Carbonado, on the road to Mt. Rainier, SR 165

We hoped that these rock piles are an indication of progress for the foothills trail

At first, we headed north, back towards Carbonado, just to see what the trail looked like

The trail was in pretty good shape for about a mile or so

This was another access point from SR165

So then, we turned around and headed south by southeast toward Mt. Rainier

It was interesting to look up and see this ancient retaining wall between the trail and the highway above

A big rock that recently fell down the bank and landed on the trail

The Fairfax Bridge coming into view

Looking up at the bridge

The bridge, photo by Keith

Another bridge shot, photo by Keith

The first ruins, a meticulously constructed rock wall

From one rock wall to another

A mostly intact walled structure

A big blowdown, not impassable, but given the depth of the mud at this point, a good time to turn around

Stats:
Round trip=8miles
Elevation gain=100 feet
Date hiked=November 18, 2015

Thanks, Keith, for helping me with the directions!