June Full Moon - Carbon River O'ernighter

A tasty lil adventure ride with a bit of something for everyone (road, paved trails, unpaved double track, singletrack, gravel). Meet up for the group roll out, we'll mostly follow chill paved trails for about 60mi, including the Green River Trail and Foothills Trails. Easy going miles and then some squeedlin' around Wilkeson into Carbonado (mp65), where folks can get some last minute supplies. From there, we'll dip onto an old coal cart trail (unpaved double-track, some potholes) where we pass underneath the Fairfax Bridge closure. The trail continues past the ghost mining town of Melmont, becoming singletrack (possible water on trail, some rocks, some roots, possible dismount. Still, a "green" singletrack). We'll reach an old forest service road that'll take us to the entrance for the Mount Rainier Nat'l Park and Carbon River Trailhead. We'll access the Ipsut Creek campground where we'll make fun at camp until (OPTIONAL) the right time to start hiking up the Ipsut Creek/Northern Loop Trail to the Carbon River Suspension Bridge for a peep at the snout of the Carbon Glacier- the lowest accessible glacier in the lower 48 states. Hopefully, viewable by the light of the full moon. Back to camp for camp fun. Plan to break camp/coffee outside in the mid-morning for the return trip via gravel roads, the Foothills Trail, Black Diamond, and the Green River-Cedar Connector Trail. Stops for snacks, as needed. Some folks might want to power home while others will enjoy the rolling greenery, there is no wrong way. Route returns to Seattle via Lake Washington Blvd car-free weekends and ends at the I-90 lid.

Folks will be responsible for - fully functioning bike with late-spring overnight gear, water filter (or share with friend), shoes & clothing for cycling and hiking, helmet, lights, all their own food and snacks (there will be re-supply options in/out of Carbon River), tools and tire repair kits, and PMA. Due to the various surfaces involved, potential hike-a-bike, long-ish distance, and logistics involved, folks are advised against e-bikes & cargo bikes. However, if that's the way you roll, fine. We kindly ask that you assume all of your own responsibility.

Pace is intended to be steady/leisurely. We can ride 2 abreast or more for most of the route. This is an opportunity to bring folks together to experience the lesser trafficked Carbon River entrance to the Mt Rainier National Park, as well as use the light of the full moon to facilitate an intimate experience with the Carbon Glacier. Please consider spending a few dollars in Wilkeson & Carbonado as their economies are being threatened by the Fairfax bridge closure. The campsite is primitive, albeit with bear boxes and fire rings and a restroom structure. Bikes are not allowed on the hiking trail.

A second route is available for folks who want to park near Wilkeson and explore beyond the bridge closure. It really doesn't matter whether the approach or the return trip is via singletrack or gravel. Both ways are open and accessible, as per recent reports - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44578346

Updates will follow, as needed.