Friends of the Carbon Canyon

10/13/2026

We're having a meeting! Saturday, October 24th, from 10-11:30.
All are welcome.
We'll be meeting at the newly opened https://www.wilkesonhistoricaldistrict.org/basecamp/
If you haven't been yet, this is going to be a real treat. *Come a bit early so you have time to order a coffee & food before the meeting starts.
We have a lot to share, including a power-point presentation created by Daniel Pollman, who wrote a Substack newsletter titled: 'Land in Motion'. Daniel has been documenting the storm damage and gradual reconstruction of the 5 mile Carbon River to Ipsut Creek trail this year and will be presenting a slideshow presentation so you can see what it looks like for yourself.

Trail & road maintenance is important even though the abrupt closure of the Fairfax Bridge in April of 2025 cut off public access to the Carbon Canyon. If these roads & trails were abandoned and left for Nature to reclaim, they may never reopen due to the amount of work it would take to get them open again.

In 2026 the Friends of the Carbon Canyon provided 249 volunteer hours on US Forest Service land alone.

Hope to see you on the 24th!

09/30/2026

Don't know if you've heard but the Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition, in partnership with Friends of the Carbon Canyon, Wilkeson Historic District and Pierce County Parks. is working toward officially opening the trail from Wilkeson to Carbonado by November,
There's some work to be done on the trail before that happens.
We'd love to see the community come together and help make that happen!
Join the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition for a special volunteer WORK PARTY on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH from 9-12pm as we help prepare this section for future public use.

Volunteers will help with a variety of trail stewardship projects, including brushing back vegetation, limbing trees for trail clearance, improving a small drainage area, and removing trash and glass along the corridor.

Here’s the registration link with all the details:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/foothillsrails-to-trailscoalition/event/pgwpn1mtc/

09/09/2026

Live Like Chuck Sticker. Many months ago someone commented on a post regarding our good friend & mentor CHUCK MORRISON, Chuck passed unexpectedly back in 2022, we were all kind of in shock at the time. I remember the post and our conversation well, but not your name. I listened while you told me how you had met Chuck and he began bringing you along on his field trips to Wilkeson, introducing you to the Friends of the Carbon Canyon, visiting residents and just going along for a ride in the car with your new friend in the Carbon Canyon.
I mentioned that there were these stickers keeping Chuck's memory alive, but couldn't find any for the longest time.

I'm hoping you see this post and we can reconnect, because guess what? I finally found the Live Like Chuck stickers and would like to put one in the mail for you!

We all miss Chuck, he was one of those people who just came out of nowhere and made things come together without any fanfare or recognition. When I look at these stickers I sit up a bit straighter and smile. Thank you Chuck for being there when we all needed you most.
Chuck taught me patience and persistence, qualities I still struggle with today, but much improved. 🦉

08/16/2026

Alerts and Fire Danger Status - The US Forest Service announced a ban on Target Shooting/Discharging a Fi***rm (except while engaged in a lawful hunt) on all lands, roads, and trails throughout the entirety of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Boundary through October 31st.

08/12/2026

Here's all the who, what, where and when latest news as of 8/11/26 regarding the Grand Park 2 Fire in Mt. Rainier National Park from Paul Sowers, Fire Chief with Greenwater/Crystal Mountain Fire Department.

08/11/2026

Understanding Burn Bans is not always easy. This post from the City of Buckley Fire Department may help. In cooperation with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs Association and the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau, ALL outdoor fires will be banned beginning on Monday, August 17th, including Recreational Fires.

Understanding Burn Bans is not always easy.

The term "Countywide Burn Ban" or "Statewide Burn Ban" often causes confusion. These "bans" however only apply to open burning for the disposal of brush and other vegetation.

For citizens residing within the incorporated limits of the City of Buckley or Town of Wilkeson, open burning for the means of disposal is permanently banned at any time of the year.

Recreational fires that consist of dry, seasoned firewood and are contained in an outdoor firepit or fireplace are the only fires permitted within any incorporated City or Town of Pierce County. Recreational Fires must not exceed 3 feet diameter and cannot be more than 2 feet tall.

In cooperation with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs Association and the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau, ALL outdoor fires will be banned beginning on Monday, August 17th, including Recreational Fires.

Charcoal, pellet and gas grills will be permitted for use in a safe, non-combustible area.

It is expected that the BAN ON RECREATIONAL FIRES is expected to last until we begin to receive measurable rainfall that reduces fire danger.

08/10/2026

Latest update on the Grand Park fire in the N.E. corner of Mt. Rainier National Park from Greenwater/Crystal Mtn. Fire Department.

08/08/2026

Update from Paul Sowers, Fire Chief @ Greenwater/Crystal Mountain Fire Department. (Saturday - 10 am)

08/08/2026

A picture someone shared on another page while flying over the area yesterday.

08/08/2026

The Carbon Canyon is in no immediate danger at this time.
Just heard from a neighbor that National Park Staff is currently on their way up to Mowich Lake to bring some Wonderland hikers out. The Wonderland Trail between Mowich & Sunrise is closed.

Locals should expect additional traffic as infrastructure is established in the area.