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A Part of Mount Rainier May Never Reopen Again, Have You Missed Your Chance?
Looks like some plans are about to get shuffled because a section of Mount Rainier National Park is off-limits for now. Yep, part of this iconic, beautiful, occasionally intimidating park is playing hard-to-get… and no one’s sure when it’ll lighten up.
So if you had your sights set on some epic trails or views this summer, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s time to think of a backup. Don’t worry, though – there’s still plenty of mountain magic to enjoy elsewhere in the park (not that it helps much if that part was your favorite).
But before you go rearranging all your plans, give this a read and see if you’ll be alright. Then toss your thoughts in the comments.
The Carbon River Bridge Is Closed
Well, it’s official. The Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge at Mount Rainier National Park has been permanently closed, courtesy of our pals at the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Why, you ask? Because after a recent inspection, they found that the steel supports are basically doing their best impression of a 120-year-old abandoned shipwreck. Rust? Check. Deterioration? Double check.
And guess what? This poor bridge hasn’t been pampered with a fresh coat of paint since 1988. One coat of paint in 35 years – it’s no wonder it’s falling apart. I mean, how do you expect a bridge to hold up without a little TLC?
Why Should You Care?
Other than the fact that this is a total buzzkill for your outdoor adventure plans, the permanent closure of this rusted relic means that about 25% (yes, a whole quarter) of Mount Rainier National Park is now off-limits. No, I’m not kidding.
This includes the Carbon River Ranger Station and Mowich Lake – the main spots that the Fairfax Bridge provided access to.
And don’t even think about backpacking the Wonderland Trail uninterrupted or trekking to Tolmie Peak, Spray Falls, or any of those dreamy alpine hikes in the northwest corner of the park. Those beloved trails are now officially out of reach.
Unless you’ve got a helicopter or some very creative map skills, you’ll need to bid farewell to this part of the park for the “foreseeable future.” Translation? Who knows when – or even if – it’ll reopen.
Steel, Rust, & Neglect – What Went Wrong?
The Fairfax Bridge, in a nutshell, is old. We’re talking history book old – it was built in 1921. And with an age like that, it might’ve deserved more than the, ahem, “one-and-done” paint job it received back in 1988.
That neglect allowed rust to settle in and basically have a party on its steel supports. You’d think we’d have learned an important lesson about keeping essential infrastructure from corroding, but apparently not.
And the recent inspection revealed issues so gnarly that repairs aren’t even an option.
Before you start angrily Googling alternatives, there aren’t any quick fixes or miraculous detours. The bridge was the only public access point to this part of the park… the sole gatekeeper to some of Rainier’s best-kept secrets.
Wait, Is This Bridge Closure Permanent-Permanent?
Listen, when they say “permanent,” they mean “don’t hold your breath.” Given the extent of rust damage and the lack of repairs in the works, it’s safe to assume this isn’t getting solved anytime soon.
Estimates? Nada. Timeline? Nonexistent. The USDOT and park officials might try to figure something out, but for now, consider the Carbon River area officially in retirement. There is no funding to replace the bridge, and unless they roll out some billionaire-funded engineering project (looking at you, tax dollars), there isn’t much anyone can do about it.
So, did you totally miss your shot to check out this part of the park? Yeah, probably. At this rate, it will be years before anyone even considers replacing it. Hopefully, they’ll fix it up someday. Or maybe it’ll just quietly fade into the void of “things we’ll never see again.” Whether it will be in our lifetime remains unseen.
What About The Rest Of The Park?
Yes, I see you. You, the brave wanderer thinking, “Okay, I’ll just hit the other trails.” That’s not actually a terrible plan.
Sure, a good chunk of the northwest is inaccessible, but Mount Rainier still has other trails and views ready to make your legs sore and your heart full. Paradise, Sunrise, and the southeastern stretch of the Wonderland Trail are still fair game.
Just don’t expect them to be deserted – because everyone else is heading there too.
Things You Can Still Do In The Park
The Silver Lining
If you’re in a gloom spiral, wondering how we got here, take a deep breath. Rainier is massive and full of enough scenic glory to make up for its closed-off chunk.
You can still wander wildflower meadows, scramble volcano slopes, and soak up incredible views. You just won’t get to those iconic northwest spots for, well, the foreseeable – and increasingly rusty – future.
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