The following information was submitted by Robert C.

This trail is located in Carbonado, Washington - near the Carbon River. Mt. Rainier is also nearby.

Directions To The Trailhead:1: Start out going WEST on OLD BUCKLEY HWY / CHURCH LAKE RD toward 182ND AVE E. Continue to follow CHURCH LAKE RD. < 0.1 miles
2: Turn LEFT onto WA-410. 6.2 miles
3: Turn RIGHT onto MUNDY LOSS RD E. 1.2 miles
4: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto PIONEER WAY E / WA-162.

0.1 miles
5: Turn SHARP RIGHT onto WA-165. 8.6 miles
6: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto CARBON RIVER RD
7: Continue through the town of Carbanado
8: You will soon cross a one lane bridge that takes you over the Carbon River.
9: Continue over bridge to the first fork in the road (Approx. 1/2 mile) and stay left.
10: The road will continue to follow the Carbon River which will be on your left at this point.
11: After approx 10 miles you need to be looking out for a left hand turn that you can see takes you across another big bridge across the Carbon River. You can easily see this bridge from the main road.
12: Go across the bridge and continue down the gravel road. Within 1/4 a mile you will see a left hand turn, DO NOT TURN THERE, continue up the gravel road. The road will take you well above the Carbon River.
13: You want the take the very next left you can find. It is tough to find this left, and if you are not looking for it you will pass it up. Once you turn left at this point the road will become very tight and at points very rocky.

14: About 1/2 mile up this trail the stream becomes the trail as you approach the hardest part of the trail. This particular 20-foot section has a huge stump, boulders and is off camber. You may need a winch at this point. I saw two stock cj-7's that could not make it past this point. A 4 inch lift and 33's will make it easier, but not much.
15: Continue another mile or so and you will arrive at Surprise lake. Typically you will only find backpackers up there. A lifted Jeep is your best bet for this trail. If you make it, the lake is pristine and loaded with native trout.

Other Notes About This Trail
Obstacles: rocky
Other: water, off camber
Distance of the trail: 2-3 miles
Recommended Equipment: A Jeep with 33x12.5 tires
Usage Fee: none

click for more images Located in Carbonado, Washington The following information was submitted by Robert C.
This trail is located in Carbonado, Washington - near the Carbon River. Mt. Rainier is also nearby.

Directions To The Trailhead:1: Start out going WEST on OLD BUCKLEY HWY / CHURCH LAKE RD toward 182ND AVE E. Continue to follow CHURCH LAKE RD. < 0.1 miles
2: Turn LEFT onto WA-410. 6.2 miles
3: Turn RIGHT onto MUNDY LOSS RD E. 1.2 miles
4: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto PIONEER WAY E / WA-162. 0.1 miles
5: Turn SHARP RIGHT onto WA-165. 8.6 miles
6: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto CARBON RIVER RD
7: Continue through the town of Carbanado
8: You will soon cross a one lane bridge that takes you over the Carbon River.
9: Continue over bridge to the first fork in the road (Approx. 1/2 mile) and stay left.
10: The road will continue to follow the Carbon River which will be on your left at this point.
11: After approx 10 miles you need to be looking out for a left hand turn that you can see takes you across another big bridge across the Carbon River. You can easily see this bridge from the main road.
12: Go across the bridge and continue down the gravel road. Within 1/4 a mile you will see a left hand turn, DO NOT TURN THERE, continue up the gravel road. The road will take you well above the Carbon River.
13: You want the take the very next left you can find. It is tough to find this left, and if you are not looking for it you will pass it up. Once you turn left at this point the road will become very tight and at points very rocky.
14: About 1/2 mile up this trail the stream becomes the trail as you approach the hardest part of the trail. This particular 20-foot section has a huge stump, boulders and is off camber. You may need a winch at this point. I saw two stock cj-7's that could not make it past this point. A 4 inch lift and 33's will make it easier, but not much.
15: Continue another mile or so and you will arrive at Surprise lake. Typically you will only find backpackers up there. A lifted Jeep is your best bet for this trail. If you make it, the lake is pristine and loaded with native trout.

Other Notes About This Trail
Obstacles: rocky
Other: water, off camber
Distance of the trail: 2-3 miles
Recommended Equipment: A Jeep with 33x12.5 tires
Usage Fee: none