The hike to Ipsut Falls is a good choice if you're looking for respectable mileage without any real elevation gain, as I was today. Start at the old Carbon River Ranger Station (2.5 miles past the new Carbon River Ranger Station) and walk along the old park road for 5.2 miles to its end at Ipsut Creek Campground. The trailhead will be right in front of you. It's marked with a sign for the Wonderland Trail and gives mileage to the Northern Loop Trail, Carbon Glacier, and Mowich Lake (but not Ipsut Falls). In .2 of a mile you'll come to a sign directing you to turn right onto a side trail to Ipsut Falls; a short walk takes you to the viewpoint. There's no question that the falls are pretty, but you don't get a very good look at them from here. I wondered if there was a second viewpoint farther on (my guidebook indicated a longer hike and another turn) but I walked another half a mile or so along the main trail without finding one.
Comments