Green Mountain, CCC Road: Blowout Creek Trailhead — Sunday, Jun. 10, 2012

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

It should be noted that parts of Green Mt Trail are steeper than the worst parts of Mt Teneriffe or Mailbox Peak. I would not attempt this hike without a pair of sturdy trekking poles, and if there is any chance of snow traction devices are a necessity. One way to get there is to start down the CCC Trail from Mt Si Road, but I prefer to park at the first bridge down the Middlefork Snoqualmie Road about five miles in. There is an unofficial trail heading downstream on the north side of the bridge that will take you through a dense temperate rainforest, past massive old growth douglas firs and over 3 log crossings before dunping you out onto the CCC Trail. Turn right, moving NW for a few feet to find where the trail continues on the left, quickly coming to a T. Turn right again and begin the ascent. This road turned trail crosses Brawling Creek(be sure to look down to admire the natural waterslide below you) and hits 3 sets of switchbacks, pass by the junction on the left and you will arrive shortly at Last Chance Promontory and the turnoff to Green Mountain Summit. Take in the views of the Middlefork Valley, if you're lucky enough to have clear skies youe can see Mailbox Peak to Dirty Harry, Mount Washington, Thompson Mtn, Revolution Peak, Russion Butte, and Preacher Mtn, amongst others nearby peaks. From here the climb really begins so get ready to gain over 2000' of elevation in less than a mile. The bootpath starts up a rocky stretch right at the viewpoint and is easy to miss if you don't look closely, but you wil know you are on the right path when you quickly come to a talus field that spans the crest of the ridge. Keep an eye out for cairns that mark the path in a few tricky spots but from here the path will closely ride the ridge to the summit. orange tape adorns trees on the way up, but there was more of it on fallen branches than up in the trees. I wish I would have brought some so I could refresh the route markings. I encountered patches of snow above 3500' and it was up to 4' deep everywhere after 4000' or so. Some fairly fresh powder to bite into but where there was solid canopy above, which was most of the ridge,is was compacted and iced over. Microspikes and poles were barely cutting it, crampons and an ice axe would be much more useful. Upon reaching the summit, it was still blanketed by thick clouds, obscuring any views as was the case yesterday on Mt persis. At least today there was no rain, although I'm glad I decided to put on my raingear as soo as I did to avoid dew from overgrown vegetaion. I did this with a dog but I would not recommend doing so unless you and the pup have a decent amount of backcountry experience, particularly before the snow is gone.