Ipsut Falls

Ipsut Falls is a two-tier waterfall on Ipsut Creek in Mount Rainier's Carbon River area. It drops through a narrow, forested canyon, but fallen trees and vegetation partly screen the view. This is a long walk or bike ride with a modest waterfall at the end, not a quick roadside stop.

The usual route follows the former Carbon River Road from its entrance to Ipsut Creek Campground, then takes a short spur to the falls. Plan on about 11 miles round trip with modest climbing; most of the way is a broad, gently uphill roadbed. The road was closed to vehicles after flood damage in 2006, so you cannot drive to the falls. Check current park access before setting out: this route depends on bridges and flood-prone trails.

Parking and restrooms are listed at the Carbon River entrance area, not up at the falls. There is no food service or drinking water listed for the falls or campground, so bring what you need for the long outing.

The trail spur looks into a tight, green canyon. Try to frame both cascades together; fallen logs and vegetation are part of the view and partly obscure the water, so this is not an open, unobstructed waterfall portrait.

Carbon River Road was built in the 1920s and repeatedly washed out. Extensive damage in the November 2006 flood led the park to close it to vehicles and turn the roadbed into a trail. At about 1,900 feet, the Carbon River area holds rare inland temperate rainforest and is one of the park's quieter corners.