Entry No. 59 — the Seattle file — filed under: ghost town

Melmont Ghost Town Hike

Established in 1900 as a coal-mining town along the Carbon River, Melmont was abandoned by the early 1920s and later swept by a forest fire. Today, hikers can explore the overgrown ruins of the town, including a concrete dynamite shed, the stone foundation of the schoolhouse, and a rusted-out vintage car. The trail follows an old railroad grade under the historic Fairfax Bridge, surrounded by dense Pacific Northwest forest.

The move: Hike the easy, flat trail along the Carbon River to hunt for moss-covered stone foundations, photograph the historic Fairfax Bridge from below, and enjoy a quiet picnic near the riverbank.

📍 Before you go The site is located along a public hiking trail on county-managed land, accessible by walking from the Fairfax Bridge trailhead.

• 📍 Carbonado
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 23689 Mowich Lake Rd, Carbonado, WA 98323, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: wta.org · visitrainier.com

last checked: 2026-07-20