Carbon River Old Mine

Carbon River Old Mine is a gated tunnel entrance tucked into the fern-covered hillside above the Carbon River Trail. It’s a small, history-focused stop rather than a major attraction; make the detour if you’re already walking the valley and would enjoy seeing a real piece of the park’s mining past.

The usual walk starts at the Carbon River Entrance and follows the broad former road, now the Carbon River Trail, about 1.2 miles to the mine spur. Plan on roughly three miles round trip, with the last 0.3 mile climbing steeply to the entrance. Most of the approach is wide and fairly level beside the river; the spur is the hard part. A restroom and picnic table are listed at the entrance, before the walk, not at the mine. The old road closed to vehicles after the 2006 flood and now serves as a trail. Carbon River access has been affected by bridge and flood damage, so check current park conditions before planning this walk.

The mine is believed to have been part of the Washington Mining and Milling Company’s Carbon River operations. The company held 30 to 38 claims, with activity peaking in 1908 and 1909. Some claims may have been filed to get access to timber as much as to search for ore; by 1913 the company’s operations had ended or its claims had been declared invalid.

The ore was described as a pale material dug from clay that hardened when exposed to air. An incline railway carried it about 300 feet down toward the river or road. Today, the fern-framed opening and the rails near the entrance give you a sense of that operation’s scale. The tunnel is blocked for safety; stay outside the barrier and don’t try to go farther in.