Green Mountain

Green Mountain rises to 5,670 feet above the North Fork Skykomish valley, delivering a long spring ski tour through varied terrain. The approach follows Green Mountain Road, which requires high-clearance 4WD and may be blocked by avalanche debris lower than expected. From wherever the road becomes impassable, expect roughly 4 miles of road skinning before transitioning onto the summer trail and then the ridge proper.

The route gains 3,900 feet over 13 miles round trip, making this one of the bigger single-day efforts in the region. The lower mountain passes through dense forest before opening onto the upper ridge. Staying on the ridge spine rather than traversing steep side slopes keeps the route in safer terrain, using the trees as natural protection from avalanche paths on the wind-loaded west face.

Spring conditions define this tour. Rapid warming turns the snowpack heavy by afternoon, and rollerballs forming on sun-exposed slopes signal increasing instability. Smart parties time their ascent to reach the upper mountain before the sun softens things too much. The summit views reward the long approach, looking out across the Cascades crest toward Glacier Peak and the Monte Cristo range.