Overall Route Rating
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3.75 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.75
9 Reviews

Carbon River - Hwy 165

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Aug 31, 2008

Rider Reviews

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darksideducati
2 McR Points
February 21, 2012
I ride this route regularly I live close by great…
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Guest
July 15, 2010
We love to take a ride up to the Carbon River…
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Written Directions

The route starts in Sumner, Pierce County. Take Hwy 410 east. Take a right on to South Prairie Road and head southeast. In South Prairie, hang a left on to Hwy 162 (head east) and shortly after that you will come up to Hwy 165 where you want to take a right (head south). Take this past Carbonado, take the left fork (staying on hwy 165) to Carbon River Ranger Station.

Scenery

This route starts in Sumner and follows Hwy 410 on to Hwy 165. The route is very scenic through the Orting valley, running beside and crisscrossing the Carbon river and ending at the Ranger Station. It passes through small logging towns of Wilkeson, and Carbonado. Hwy 165 forks past the town of Carbonado and goes into the Mt. Rainier National Park ending at Mowich Lake but this road is pretty steep and unpaved, gravelly and very dusty. The left fork runs beside Carbon river and in the spring the river can be running full from the melting snow. There is a beautiful bridge that crosses a deep ravine and is worth stopping at.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is both straight and windy and has hills and flats. The road is a single lane well paved road. When I road it last month (Aug 2008), it was in good condition most of the way. Near the end, one side of the road has washed away and barriers and signs are up to direct traffic in a single direction at a time.

Tourism Opportunities

Wilkenson and Carbonado are the two small towns on the way. Wilkenson has a nice coffee shop / deli. There is a gas station on the way. You can camp at Carbon Ranger Station but need to get a permit.
 

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MAX ROUSHMAN
April 19, 2020
100 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
liked it
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Christopher Kmet
May 23, 2021
327 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Great ride! Challenge, scenery, & fun
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claytonj10
May 14, 2022
72 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
this is a great mid day ride. take a thermos and have coffee at the trail head.
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