Green Mountain — Saturday, Jul. 29, 2000

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

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!