Day Hike - Foothills Trail

Meet at 10:30 AM at Nomad PNW Coffee Shop, 529 Church St., Wilkeson, reached by driving east on SR 410 from its junction with SR 167.  Turn right at the traffic light at Mundy Loss Road, left at SR 162 and continue south (straight) onto SR 165 at the T junction.  The Nomad PNW Coffee Shop  will be on your left on  SR 165 in Wilkeson.

We can use the restrooms at Nomad PNW Coffee Shop.  Then we can consolidate cars, if necessary, by leaving some cars at the nearby Fire Department parking lot.  Then we'll caravan two or three miles south on SR 165 to the trailhead, past the town of Carbonado.  Parking space is limited there, so carpooling will be important.  We will hike on an abandoned railroad grade 3.5 miles to the Melmont ghost town, which will be our lunch stop and turnaround point, returning by the same route.  After the hike we will have the option for a refreshment stop at the historic Carbonado Saloon, where the food and historical decor get good reviews.  It opens at Noon, so won't be open at the start of the hike.  Minimum age for this hike is 21 because alcohol is served at the Carbonado Saloon.  No parking pass is required.

*Please be aware that the trail is likely to have wet and muddy stretches - this is the unpaved section of the Foothills Trail.  Be sure to come prepared with suitable footwear and clothing.

See the following links for more information:

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/melmont-ghost-town-hike 

http://www.ghosttownsofwashington.com/melmont.html

https://visitrainier.com/melmont-ghost-town-2/