Alpine (King County)

Washington's ghost towns are mill towns and mining camps in country so green the forest is already taking them back.

Alpine was a town in the Cascade Mountains, near Skykomish, Washington. Founded in the late 19th century and originally named Nippon, it was first built to house Japanese railway workers. Another nearby railway town, Corea, housed Korean workers. About 8 miles (13 km) west of Stevens Pass, Alpine had only rail access, and was a mile from the nearest road. The local lumber baron changed the town's name from Nippon to Alpine in 1903. In 1917 it was reported as a station on the Great Northern Railway.

The on-the-ground condition of Alpine (King County) is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Alpine (King County) is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.