Seemed like a nice day to check out the work at the lookout on Green. Just enough clouds and sun for great views. Solid snow starts at the lakelets and continues on up the hill. It was soft enough to kick step and to come down the fall line with no problems. The lookout is in fantastic shape. Congrats to all the people who worked on it. Flowers are just really beginning in the meadows, with avalanche lillies on the upper slopes. It turned out to be a critter day as well. Saw a small bear in the forest, four large deer in the meadow, and plenty of marmots up above. All and all a great day except that I didn't have enough sun block on.

Hit snow coming around the ridge at ~5300 feet, which then appeared to be continuous from there to the top. We stopped in the trees above the basin below the final ascent due to rain, wind, and no hope for views from the lookout. Flower display, especially avalanche lilies, was awesome. Scared up a spotted owl, which flew next to the car for 20 metres, on the drive out.

I left Seattle at 7:30 AM and reached the base of this beautiful and somewhat remote peak around 10:30. Green Mountain is not so far from Seattle as it is slow going the closer you get. Expect 26 miles of bumpy dirt roads, with the final 4 miles covered with snow and ice. The alluring glimpses of the north cascades you'll get through the trees on the way up are only a sample of what awaits you at the small parking area. The summit views are another story altogether. Be prepared to fall in love with the outdoors all over again. The trail begins in the woods. The wandering gradual path is covered in snow but it is easy to follow. When you leave the woods the trail turns into long graceful switchbacks with excellent unobstructed views. Just when you think you've had your eyefull for the day, you'll round a corner and drop down into a sweet mountainside 'grotto.' This would be an excellent camping ground in any season. As you get closer to the lakes, you'll also notice the snow getting softer and deeper. In the coming weeks this brief descent will require snowshoes. I had some with me but decided to leave them strapped to my pack. It was a bit of a slog, but I could see that the snow thinned out on the second half of the climb to the now-visible summit. Beyond the lakes, in the shade of a tree I poured on the sunscreen, donned the glacier glasses (the sun was quite bright), and set out for the summit. The trail was very much hidden by snow so I was just following footsteps. The closer I got to the top, the more cruel was the angle of the footbeaten path. I had to stop several times, once to take a drink, the second time to slam down a handfull of fig newtons for an extra bit of energy. It had been too many hours since my 7:30 breakfast and my stomach was beginning to feel it. As I approached the ridge I could just imagine the the music that would play as the incredible 270-degree panorama came into view. It was either a blazing Italian opera or a shimmering overture. Something that would make my Dad wave his arms around as he 'air' conducted the music on his record player. I can't name a lot of mountains by sight, but Glacier was definiltely there. Lovely snowy peaks were on display in every direction. I was glad to be wearing plastic boots as the final few steps to the top required some good swift kicks. Mount Baker, along with every other peak in the North Cascades came into glorious view as I stepped up to the lookout. It's not such a demanding climb when you consider the reward. The view is like Mount Pilchuck times ten. I had made it all the way up with nothing but shorts and a long sleve synthetic t shirt but I soon pulled out all my layers so that I could sit down and stay a while. I gobbled up every scrap of food I brought: a lettuce & cheese sandwich, more fig newtons and potato chips. I skipped the Chunky bar - the view was sweet enough, and I wanted to save something for the trip down. I sat for a half hour ogling the view like the first time you see someone you really like the looks of. The descent was tough only because you have to make a brief ASCENT after you hit the lakes. How cruel. I almost tore into the Chunky but I resisted the temptation for fear of losing momentum. I made it down to the car by 4-something and took an impromptu 45 minute nap in the front seat. The only thing that feels better than that long silent pause at the summit, when it feels like the earth is standing still to pose for your pictures, is reaching the car. And maybe finishing off that Chunky bar which I have finally just done. Enjoy Green Mountain - its a long drive but it was made for you, the hiker. If I knew you and Green Mountain and the two of you had never met, I'd try to set you two up. THAT'S how good it was.

The hike was great. The wild flowers are still going strong, and there are little snow patches still left. Unfortunately, the bugs are crazy and ruthless. Bring bug repellent, or stay home. Some of them are the size of small birds.

Oh my god. I was one of a dozen WTA volunteers a few weeks ago working on retread on the lower elevations of this trail. It was my first work party, and Bill and Kim made it enjoyable. The weather was foggy for most of it, but once it cleared up, I knew I had to go back and do the actual hike. It had been on my list, so today was the right time. The trail starts out in forest for awhile, but ends up in spectacular meadows for the remainder of the hike. It starts at 3500ft, and ends 4 miles later at the lookout at 6500ft. (At least according to my handy-dandy Green Trails Map...)Anyway, the meadows are full of flowers. Sure, it is a Green mountain, but it is also purple, blue, yellow, white, and orange. Oh yeah, and there are views of Glacier Peak and other mountain thingies on the lower elevations. More on that in a minute. Before I go on about how excellent it was, let's get the unpleasantries out of the way. Trail conditions were quite good overall. Not very muddy, not very rooty or rocky. And the retread areas are excellent, if I may say so. :) The trail is 99% snow free. First snow patches begin in the valley area where the large tarn is, but you maybe take 3 steps on each of them. Complaints' BUGS. Once you get out in the open, there are bugs everywhere. Big ones, little ones, fast ones, slow ones. And they all bite. So, despite your gasps for breath on the steep upper slopes, you have to keep going to avoid becoming insect fodder. There are some places that need to be brushed, badly. But it is only soft vegetation, so no biggie. (Bill, where did all the GM work parties go' Cancelled' Full') Last complaint is about some of the goobers we came across on the way down. Stomping the alpiney goodness that is older than they are; glissading down one of the only accessible snow slopes, just for the hell of it, and then trampling plants. Sigh.... Ok, so this is one of the best hikes I have ever done. Great views of Glacier Peak throughout the entire trail, and each switchback brings you an even better view. And once you get to the top, you can also see Mt. Baker, Three Fingers, Mt. Formidable, Shuksan, too damn many to name. The lookout tower is being rebuilt and looks good, except for the smell of treated wood. Blech. I highly recommend this hike to anyone who is still waiting to be impressed by the North Cascades. By the time you get past all the meadows and get to the peaks, you will be so impressed, you'll run out and join the WTA and work on their crews! :) If you go, prepare for open conditions. With the weather nice, pack lightly and dress lightly. Sunscreen and bug repellant is a must. You will not need crampons, snowshoes, or even trekking poles. Just food and water and the other 10 essentials. Just go. GO NOW! Enjoy it!