Green Mountain — Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

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.