Moderate switchbacks ascend 1.0 mile through forest before emerging into lime-green corn lilies, wildflowers, tall grass, then blueberry bushes. Already you get views southwest to White Chuck Mountain, south to Sloan Peak, and southeast to Glacier Peak. At 2.0 miles, 5200 feet, you can see east to Dome Peak and farther southeast to Plummer and Fortress mountains, which are above Suiattle Pass.

Then the trail rounds the end of a ridge, traverses north, and drops 150 feet to shallow tarns in fragile meadows. Erosion here is severe. The braided trail can be slippery from snowmelt or rain. Do your best not to initiate yet another path. You'll also find that here on the shaded north side of the ridge, snow lingers many weeks longer than on the south slope. If you camp near the meadow, use an established dirt site so you don't crush more grass.

Ross Lake National Recreation Area,
North Cascades

After climbing above the tarns, the trail enters a basin  probably snow covered until mid-July where you can see the trail slicing toward the summit of Green Mountain. You attain the rocky summit and nearly 360' views at 4.0 miles, 6500 feet. Scramble around the fire-lookout cabin for better views north. The rickety cabin has been closed to the public, but might be repaired and re-opened when the Forest Service budget allows.

	Green Mountain Details Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Glacier Peak Wilderness Distance: 8.0-mile round trip Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet Maps: Green Trails No. 80-Cascade Pass; U.S. Forest Service - Glacier Peak Wilderness

You'll want several Green Trails maps (No. 80-Cascade Pass, No. 81-McGregor Mt., No. 112-Glacier Peak, No. 113-Holden) or the Forest Service Glacier Peak Wilderness map to help you identify peaks.

If you choose to go by car and take Highway 530, drive 11.3 miles south from Rockport, or 7.2 miles north from the Darrington Ranger Station. Turn east on Suiattle River Road 26. Drive 19.0 miles southeast to Green Mountain Road 2680. Turn left here and drive 5.8 miles to the parking area along the road, at 3500 feet. You'll see a wood sign on the left TRAM 782 - TIMBERLINE 1 - LOOKOUT 4. From the road you can survey the Suiattle River valley. Downey Mountain, directly east, splits Sulphur and Downey creeks.