Spent the weekend car camping near Buck Creek and day hiking along the Suiattle River corridor. The highlight was the Green Mountain hike. This was one of the more scenic day hikes I've done in WA. With such splendor, I was surprised by the light traffic. Perhaps its the drive time or the drive up that filters the ambition out.
From a zig zagging, tight road that I found fun (my wife not so much), we were teased by what's in store by occasional tree beaks: gorgeous, sun-splashed mountain meadows. I couldn't wait to get up there.
The parking lot isn't marked but clearly a side outcrop from the road with the trail sign marking 'green mountain' on the left side of the road. When we arrived on a perfect summer day, there were 3 cars there.
For the hike, it's very sun exposed and follows miles of dense vegetation. It's kinda wild to hike up a dense forest and then suddenly, like a line on the map, the trail shifts to mountain meadows. My biggest advice: sun protection and expect elevated temperatures with the dense vegetation heat.
The trail is a relentless climb with legendary views starting halfway up. The grasshopper population is prolific and were flying all around us during the hike - bewildering my dog in the process. On that note: dog owners, this might not be the best hike given sun exposure, long gaps between water sources and relentless climbs.I don't recall any water sources for the first 2/3rds of the hike up. We ultimately had to have one of us stay by the ponds preceding the final climb as our dog wouldn't have made it to the summit.
Just before the final climb there are coveted ponds. It appears to have some prime camp spots for 3-4 groups. Would be nice to enjoy an evening gazing at the green mountain top with wildflowers all around. Camping with the option of summiting at sunset would be a dream.
For that final climb, it's perhaps 1k of climbing within 1 mile. The trail is well marked but is sun exposed with no water sources. There are a couple clusters of trees on occasional switchbacks to catch a break. The trail was worn to the point of it being a bit dusty. But the views are unmatched.
Glacier peak is in full glory - so too is Mt Baker, glaciers and seemingly the whole northern half Washington state mountains. You realize you're in the middle of this view sitting atop the greenest mountain tops for miles around. One of the great alpine views in the state.
I'd recommend making the trek up the Green Mountain - perhaps adding a car camp option to make it worth the long drive. Enjoy.
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