Grand Opening of New Carbon River Ranger Station July 6

Mount Rainier National Park reminded visitors on Facebook Friday that the grand opening of the new Carbon River Ranger Station takes place today, Saturday, July 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The station is located on the Carbon River Road, about 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (State Route 165) junction.

The News Tribune reported it June the new structure cost $600,000 and is located a safe enough distance away from the Carbon River, which is expected to swallow up the old ranger station and its parking lot.

Since the floods in the winter of 2006 damaged enough of the road such that the park has since then prohibited vehicle traffic past the point of the old station, the public also lost a favorited year-round camping spot. Hiking and biking are permitted, and there is still much to see, says Patch blogger John Anderson.

Anderson offers this option for those who have access to a bicycle or recumbent bike in this entry about glaciers, a rain forest and a suspension bridge.