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    Franklin Ghost Town

    3.6 (13 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Mecca F.

    Nice area to hike. About 30 minutes up you'll come to an area with tombstones. Great adventure if you looking for a quick hike up and back. Parking available. $5 fee. It also offers a river trail.

    Mt.Rainer beautiful
    Ashley M.

    Beautiful hike and great for young kids. The ladies (aggressive) at the gate asking for the $5 parking, I don't believe they actually work or volunteering because there is a brown box to put your $5 in. Mmm... very suspicious I put money in the box.. Have fun!!

    Waterfall

    Love that trail, it was pretty and easy )love the color of the water of the river and we just had a good time)

    Franklin Coal Mine Cart
    Richie D.

    Take a step back into Washington's past with what was recorded as one of the biggest mine disasters in its' state history. Once lost, yet not forgotten, the coal mining town of Franklin, still leaves a trace. Thank you to the students of Cedar Heights Junior High and Eagle Scouts who have helped keep up the trail, contradicting the many outdate reviews that claim it's difficult to see any landmarks. Start by stopping by the Black Diamond Historical Museum (https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-diamond-museum-black-diamond?osq=museum) for some background information, tips and a new miners memorial. Afterwards, venture to the trailhead by driving east on Lawson Street from downtown Black Diamond as it changes in name to Franklin Howard Road, then SE Green River Gorge Road. Before taking a tight left turn and crossing the single car Green River Gorge Bridge (worth checking out), turn right into a private dirt parking lot. There are boxes for a $5 donation that goes to the Green River Gorge Association. I hung up my Washington State Discovery Pass and began my hike on the gravel trail after passing the yellow road gate. This trail is a fun kid and pet-friendly 2.5 mile "loop" trail that passes the sealed Franklin mine shaft entrance, an old powerhouse foundation, mining car rails and circles back around when you end at the overgrown town cemetery. Some graves date back to 1893 and are primarily men in their 20-30s who passed on August 24, 1894 when thirty-seven miners suffocated after a fire in the mine. Yet, the mine continued to run for nearly 25 years after the incident until 1919 when coal mining in the area had ended. The mine has a depth of 1,046 feet--this is roughly 400 feet shorter than the Sears/Willis Tower in Chicago! While there are plenty of throned blackberry bushes and lower muddy spots along the trail, it's overall in good condition and visible. Hiking up the trail with a 200 foot elevation gain, there are spectacular views that seems to put you on an even plane with Mount Rainier (on a clear day, of course!). I highly recommend this short hike for it's history and close vicinity to Seattle and its suburbs. Awarded Review of the Day in Seattle, Washington on 6/13/2017!

    The river

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    2 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Fun place to be. $5 to park becuase the parking lot is on private property. Very creppy!!!!!

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    Glacier Basin Trail - Cute little fella

    Glacier Basin Trail

    5.0(2 reviews)
    11.2 km

    The Glacier Basin Trail is utterly magical in every sense of the word. I must have taken hundreds…read moreof pictures and several videos while hiking this trail. This hike has everything that your little heart could ever desire! A forest full of giant trees. Vibrantly green shrubs. Waterfalls at practically each turn. Majestic views of not only the snow covered mountains, but the gorgeous aqua hues of the White River down below. The rushing river running parallel. Rampant wildlife. Colorful wildflowers. Inclines and elevation galore. I mean, shall I go on?! Just stunning. Glacier Basin is located near the White River entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail begins just behind the White River Campgrounds. It's starts off mildly inclining through a lush forest, but the incline picks up speed and continues to incline until you reach the camp. It's about roughly 9 miles and 2,000 feet of elevation in total if you add in the the detour to the Emmons Lorraine Trail. Do it! It will add another 1.5/2miles to the hike, BUT... this is where you'll find that incredible view of the Inter Fork White River. It's funny that it's called the "white river" because it's stunningly aqua from the top of Emmons Lorraine. The Emmons Lorraine trail is a turn off that's about a mile into the Glacier Basin Trail and includes a river crossing and a steep incline up a narrow hill. It looks a bit intimidating, but it's really not. Just sit on your bum for the really gnarly parts coming down (at least that's what I did). Continuing on the Glacier Basin Trail, it's basically a straight shot up the hill for another 3 miles until you reach the top. There are a few spots with some switchbacks, but it's mostly a ridge-like trail. AllTrails has rated this hike as moderate, but it's definitely on the harder side of moderate if not difficult. What makes this hike so enjoyable though is the fact that there's so much scenery. Every time I took a break, I was either greeted by a beautiful mini waterfall or vibrant wildflowers. The views are very motivating and it keeps you going. Once you reach Glacier Basin Camp, you'll be met with the most stunning views of snow covered Mount Rainier and the rushing waters of the White River right next to it. This hike took me about 5 hours in total to complete (including breaks, lunch, and detours). It's definitely a day hike, so bring enough food and water to keep yourself nourished. Also, make sure you have some really comfortable hiking shoes/boots and hiking poles for the way down if you have bad knees. Coming down can be just as tough as hiking up because of the steepish downhill for 3 miles straight. This one is definitely going in the books as one of my favorite National Park hikes and my favorite Washington state hike thus far. If you're looking for a challenge and a great way to see the beauty of Mount Rainier National Park, Glacier Basin Trail is a great option.

    As a Seattle native, I can say that this is my favorite hike I've ever been on. The hike has a fork…read moreabout a mile in. If you fork left, there is a relatively short (~30 min) but steep trail that leads to the glacier basin. The water is a bright teal with mountains in the background, one of the best views I've ever seen. My friends and I went swimming in the basin, which was very cold but also very fun. If you stay on the main trail, it is an additional 6 miles that is moderate-difficult and took about 3 hours to get up. At the top, there is a really pretty meadow and campground. You will need a Mt. Ranier National Park pass ($50 annual or $30/week) to enter. I went on a weekday in the morning and had no trouble finding parking. The main trail was quite empty, but the left fork had a couple other groups. However, we more or less had the place to ourselves. Overall, 10/10 would reccomend!

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    Glacier Basin Trail - Stunning

    Stunning

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    Franklin Ghost Town - hiking - Updated May 2026

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