A team effort got us to the lookout this trip. Luckily Arthur remembered to bring his long crosscut saw or the trip would have been over. Less than a mile up from the Suiattle River road #26 we encountered a huge, fallen tree blocking the Green Mountain road. Out came the saw after planning how to safely proceed. There were four of us so we were able to share in the sawing exercise and roll the log away in only an hour. Fortunately there were no other obstacles as we continued on to the trailhead. There we donned our packs after Arthur weighed them. Mine and Dave’s weighed the same, 32 lbs, Arthurs weighed 42 lbs and Adams was nearly 50 lbs as he carried the heaviest equipment in on his one-day trip.
 The trail, once out of the forest, is significantly overgrown on the south facing slope along the route. Some vegetation reached higher than our heads but there was still a visible dirt path to follow. The trail is more open on the east-side shoulder nearing Small Lake, across the open west slope and up the south ridge.
 We arrived at the lookout about 1440 and immediately set out all tools and hardware for the work needed. The bugs en route along the trail were bothersome but now they were unbearable since we were no longer in continuous motion. So we either layered-up clothing or sprayed it with repellant. Even the local marmots were irritated by the pesky mosquitoes and flies as displayed by their frequent scratching or head-covering. We worked on the busted railings, and also reinforced the railings on the north and west sides, all the while enjoying the spectacular views and taking advantage of photo opportunities when the marmots arrived and during the sunset. Wildflowers are now blooming at higher elevations but there is no water source above the lake. There are still snow patches not far below the lookout, so we melted snow for our water.
 Biking in from the locked gate is the quickest way to cover the 12 miles of road to the trailhead, going from 900’ at the gate to about 3500’. The lookout is closed and still awaiting completion of its restoration work. Plan on staying at the campsite near Small Lake with its summer-long running outlet, or higher on the west slope where there is an open campsite along the trail.
 No axe or traction devices needed in later summer, just protection from the relentless bugs.

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Not willing to be dissuaded by the closure of the Suiattle River Road for yet another year, we headed up Green Mountain knowing that at the very least, I could admire the world's worst stock trailer parking.

The trail is in fairly good condition. A few minor blowdowns that are easily walked around (even with horses) with a more significant single tree that fell in the big meadow. Wildflowers are blooming, bugs are very quiet for this time of year. Meadow was very dry although it is slumped in one area. There was a soft spot in the meadow that the horses stepped through that there's a creek underneath.

The first snow was at the gap before you head into the tarn. At first, innocent small patches, but then quickly changing to a several foot deep snowfield. No tracks that far so had a feeling that I may have been the first one to step foot that far this spring. There was a mule string that went up to the meadow but must have turned around.

Just short of the first tarn was our turnaround (about mile 2.2). The trail up the ridge looks to be in great shape with just a few very little patches of snow.

The road up the mountain off 26 was in great shape other than a small creek flooding over one section. All blowdowns are out of the way. Meadow part slightly overgrown but easy to follow.

Would recommend at least ski poles for the tarn area. No matter what mileage, Green Mountain is always worth the trek!

Originally set out to hike Green Mountain. As in the previous report the road is still closed @ 10 miles before the GM trailhead, though not really sure why as I walked the the Huckleberry Mt. Trailhead and only saw a couple hazards that any sensible person with a halfway capable vehicle could avoid. Anyhow, stumbled upon the Huckleberry trailhead and, having already walked 3 miles in, decided to check it out. Huckleberry Mountain is quite aptly named, with plenty of huckleberries (just starting to come into season). In fact, there are almost too many huckleberry bushes and other vegetation overgrowing the trail. Keep an eye on the worn trail or you could get lost very easily. Some recent clearing work was evident up there though. After coming back and reading the trail info on here I realize now that I didn't actually get to the top of the mountain--the trail basically came to an end @ 2-3 miles in near a creek (there was a felled log across the ravine that I wasn't about to try using as a bridge). As I'm training for a multi-day hike next month I lugged a 50lb weighted pack up this trek--quite a workout. Not sure what the climb was but know it was uphill the whole way.
As a sidenote, it would appear to me that NF road 26 has been closed for quite some time now, not sure if there are any plans to reopen it. Think the previous post had the right idea in biking to the GM trailhead as the only other alternative I could see (unless you are very hard core) would be to camp at the trailhead and try the hike the next day after walking up that far.

We took a Day Trip to the closure of Forest Road 26 to see the progress and bike and hike up Green Mountain. At the road closure please park and do not block the gate or the turn around. This area is closed for Cars and Motorized but open for hiking and biking. To start, you bike about 7 miles along a dirt road to the fork to Green Mountain Road, which is is an easy bike ride to that point. Then you turn left and climb up another *steep* 6 miles to the Green Mountain trail head. At about one mile in.. and the first mile is a climb.. whew.. it looks like someone tried to work on the road but you will find that the road has a full on creek flowing across it right now. It is a late snow season for sure and it shows.. My hubby rode through the water, I stepped off my bike when I tried and then I was in about 5 inches deep of water, so expect wet feet.. ;) The trail climbs on and it is a pretty steep ride with about a dozen lil trees to 'hike a bike' over, but it was doable and looks like it has had foot traffic and some trimming done on the logs here.. The road is in fairly good bike trail condition. At the top of the road and at the actual trail head mark, we found that the trail was in good hiking condition. It is hard to see in a few parts due to pine needles and cones blending in with the forest floor but otherwise a nice forest walk for your first mile or so up. Then you will notice a few snow patches and a horrible bug population.
At 1.5 miles we hit the meadows and we had to stop there due to deep sporadic snow patches and bugs chewing on us. The flowers were just now pushing up through the earth and snow. After all the biking up, the meadows hike was treat enough for us and we headed back.
From the closure, we took about 7 hours including our lunch to go up and back to the Green Mountain Meadows portion of this famous old hike. Proper Mountain bikes could do this more quickly I'm sure.

While biking the road we saw grouse, a baby deer and heard a mysterious Owl with a very deep voice. We passed a man w/three pack goats; Three horsemen on a day ride; a few other cyclists and a ski/hiker who just crossed the Pass and came down from Downey Creek trail- wow! He did a 30 mile ski/hike day loop!
It is amazing to see the force of nature in this area and how the forest taking back the road.. it is just beautiful, serene, and non motorized for now. It looks like many are finding alternative ways to enjoy the area before it's repair.. For now you may bring your hiking boots, bike, goats, horse or even ski, wha?!! Yes people do. :)