Green Mountain - October 6, 2024

Trip Type: Day hike
Trail Conditions: Mostly clear
Weather: Sunny, 60s°F

Trip Report:

My partner and I hiked Green Mountain on a beautiful, sunny October day. We started at 12:30 PM and finished around 4:20 PM, spending about 20 minutes enjoying snacks and the view at the fire lookout.

• Animal Observations: We encountered several dogs with their owners along the way. No notable wildlife sightings otherwise other than hearing Pika calls 3/4 the way up to the top of the trail.
• Water Availability: Little to no running water near the trail, but the nearby lakes/ponds could provide ample water if needed and if you have a water filter. Hikers should bring enough water this time of year, as there’s limited water access on the trail itself.
• Trail Conditions: The trail was in good condition overall. There was one notable spot where a higher-than-usual step was required due to the trail crossing over a large living tree. No major obstacles like fallen logs or rockslides, though above noted section could potentially benefit from a very minor reroute.
• Manmade Structures: The trail signs and other structures, like the fire lookout, were in good shape. The lookout’s shutters and doors were locked, which is typical this time of year.
• User Encounters: We passed between 12-15 other hikers during the trip. One person arrived at the parking lot shortly after us and started hiking the trail behind us. About 2.5-3 miles into the hike, we met a kind fellow hiker, Dan, who saved the day for me! My CamelBak had leaked all of its water out into our car on our drive up (unbeknownst to me until I was 1.5 miles into the hike), leaving me with only a small 20 oz water bottle for the entire hike. Dan generously offered me an unopened Gatorade, which kept me hydrated and energized for the rest of the trail. Lesson learned—always bring your 10 essentials, including more water than you think you’ll need and/or a water filter!
• Trailhead Information: The parking area was mostly full, with about 10 cars in the lot and 5 more parked along the road. The trailhead register was closed for the season, and there was no outhouse or hitching rail visible. Most hikers seemed to have the required permits (either a Forest Service pass or the America the Beautiful pass).

Overall, the hike was phenomenal, with minimal impediments, beautiful fall foliage, some very late/long lasting alpine blueberries, stunning views of Glacier Peak + Mt. Baker + Mt. Shuksan, and great weather. Huge thanks to Dan for the assist with hydration—it’s people like him who make our hiking community in Washington fantastic! :)

This one is often included in Top 10 lists of best WA hikes, and I have to agree. The road there is long and the climb can be steep at times, but the view at the top is unmatched regardless of season. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

For starters Forest Road 26 isn't too bad really, with just the usual potholes and washboarding here and there. But it's looooooong... nearly 26 miles to the trailhead from Highway 530. Budget well over an hour just to drive this stretch. The last six miles also climb steeply uphill and are a bit too rough for sedans IMHO. We finally reached the trailhead just a little after 9:00am, and there were 8 other cars parked there. The small pullout was full so we became the first to begin parking along the road. Others soon arrived and did the same as we began our ascent.

The weather was about perfect, mostly sunny and a little cool but comfortable. The first part of the hike is 1.5 miles through VERY old second-growth, with a few massive old trees still standing here and there. The grade is constant but easily manageable due to the excellent tread. After the forest you pop out into the open slopes, and from there the views begin.

The lower section is a little brushy but there are still some wildflowers hanging on, although the maples are all changing color. Higher up the maples and ferns give way to a true alpine paradise, with meadows and slopes full of fire-red huckleberry bushes, pikas squeaking among the rocks, and the occasional crystal-clear tarn. Beyond the meadows the true workout begins, with a very steep last mile worth of switchbacks to the lookout. Fortunately the tread is firm and even, if a bit slippery in places.

Perhaps the greatest show-stopper (for me at least) is the up-close view of Glacier Peak sitting just beyond the valley below. Second prize goes to the view of Mount Baker and Shuksan not too far off to the northwest, followed by the impressive jagged peaks of the North Cascades directly north and northeast. It took us over three hours to reach the top, partly because of the steepness of that last mile but also due to the constant breaks to snap pictures.

The lookout itself has the walkway missing on one side, so folks need to take turns climbing onto it. There was enough room at the top for several parties to sit, eat lunch and admire the 360-degree view, which I think we all agreed we wanted to take home with us. Curiously there were lots of ladybugs at the summit flying around and landing on everybody. That was it for bugs however. After about a half hour my friend and I reluctantly started to head back, and the descent was pretty uneventful aside from yet more breaks for pictures. We finally made it back to the trailhead around 3:30pm, and by then there were 18 vehicles total parked there.

Beautiful fall morning for a beautiful fall hike.  I got an early start, which meant frosty conditions, but also frozen huckleberries for breakfast, which were pretty tasty.  Do mind the freeze-thaw cycle on the trail, as melting ice made the tread muddy and slick in spots.  Fall colors still going strong and amazing views at the top.

Loved this trail and the meadows were stellar! Lots of blueberries in the opium fields! We had a snow storm hiking most of the way out. Made everything more beautiful! Would do this one again. Road was fine, a little washboarding. Trail was great and no obstacles.
Obviously we got wet through the section prior to the meadows.

Excellent hike! Spectacular view of Glacier Peak, Dome Peak, Baker, Shuksan. Road has a few potholes but overall quite good. Started hiking at 9am, got to lookout tower at 11:15. 
Lots of blueberries near the top. When I got down there were 17 cars at the trailhead, on a sunny fall Saturday.