NineLine Route Step Outdoors Peer Support Hike: Franklin Ghost Town

 Saturday, October 17, 2026
 Meet-up: 10:00 AM
 Franklin Ghost Town near Black Diamond, Washington

Join Route Step Outdoors for an easy fall hike through the historic Franklin Townsite, a company-owned coal-mining town that once stood along the Green River Gorge.

Franklin was established during King County’s coal-mining boom in the late 1800s. Although the town has long since disappeared into the forest, reminders of its past remain hidden among the ferns, moss, cedar, and vine maple. We’ll explore the old coal cart, concrete building foundations, cemetery, sandstone leaf impressions, remnants of the former water-line system, and the fenced and grated mine shaft that extends approximately 1,300 feet underground.

The cemetery offers a personal connection to the families and immigrants who built this once-bustling community. Franklin was also the site of a tragic mine fire in 1894 that claimed the lives of 37 miners. We’ll visit respectfully while learning about the people, hardships, and history that shaped the area.

Trail Details:

 Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
 Elevation gain: 200 feet
 Highest point: 800 feet
 Difficulty: Easy, with some narrow and uneven sections

Parking is available in the private field on the west side of the road near the Green River Gorge Resort. A $5 parking fee applies. There is no street parking near the trailhead. We’ll enter through the gate and follow the old gravel road into the townsite.

Please bring:

• Water and snacks
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Rain gear, depending on the forecast
• A spirit of connection, curiosity, and adventure

Veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and civilian supporters are all welcome. There’s no pressure and no competition—just an opportunity to connect with others, enjoy the outdoors, and discover a fascinating piece of Washington history.

Please respect all barriers, historical structures, and gravesites while visiting.