The Suiattle Road is in the best shape I've seen in years. Please help keep it that way by driving under 30 mph on the gravel section (though you could easily go faster). By contrast, the Green Mtn. Road keeps getting worse... brushy, rutted, rough. There is an area of rockfall, about halfway to the trailhead, where it's a tight squeeze between boulders. Larger vehicles could have a problem. Beyond that spot, though, the upper part of the road actually gets somewhat better than the first half, so if you make it through the rockfall section, you should be fine the rest of the way.
The trail is in good shape, just needs some brushing on the lower switchbacks. Flowers are fading (or frying), but there is still some good anemone on the upper trail. Due to the bugs, and cow parsnip overhanging the trail, long pants and long sleeve shirt are advised for this hike.
The FS is building a new section of trail to bypass where the old trail climbs steeply over a hump, then drops steeply to the ponds. Instead, the new trail contours on the level around the hump. Although construction is not yet quite complete, the new trail is already a big improvement over the old. I give it a thumbs up!
Comments
Kendall U on Green Mountain
My partner and I are going to be hiking this trail next weekend. I’m curious — several other trip reports in July mentioned either bear sightings or bear dens. Did you see any of this? And second, did you see any backpackers staying at the pond area where there are camp sites?
Posted by:
Kendall U on Aug 07, 2022 10:56 AM
Don Gerald on Green Mountain
No signs of bears. With the summer crowds having arrived, any bears have probably moved north towards Buckindy. The campsites don't appear to be heavily used, and they are lovely, but few in number, though, so I would arrive early if you can.
Posted by:
Don Gerald on Aug 07, 2022 12:37 PM
Kendall U on Green Mountain
Good to know, thank you very much!
Posted by:
Kendall U on Aug 07, 2022 05:22 PM