Foothills Trail--Carbonado/Fairfax
The Foothills Trail crosses the road at the Carbonado cemetery and passes through the forest skirting the east side of town,
and exits the community to the south on a mowed grass path.
There is another trailhead on the highway less than a mile south of Carbonado.
The trail south to the Fairfax Bridge is surprisingly well groomed.
The Foothills Trail, following the old Northern Pacific railroad bed, goes under the bridge and on to the ghost towns of Melmont and Fairfax. You can park across the bridge and descend the steep foot path to the trail here, but it would be a challenge to carry a trike down the precarious slope.
The Fairfax Bridge has an observation deck on each side.
The bridge was constructed in 1921 with a steel arch and timber trestle approaches. This type of design is rare (only three in Washington) because it requires unique conditions--a very deep gorge with solid rock walls.
The one-lane bridge deck lies 250 feet above the Carbon River.
Construction of the Fairfax Bridge in 1921
The old railroad bed going under the bridge is now part of the Foothills Trail network.
