Hike Report – Green Mountain
When: Wednesday, August 15, 2007. 10:00 – 4:30
Where: Green Mountain
Distance: 10 miles (8.0 miles Wildcat + 1.0 Vista + 1.0 Bunny Trail)
We started at the Wildcat trailhead and traveled 4 miles to half mile Vista trail. We went down from Vista and took a bunny trail to take care of last mile and then returned down Wildcat.
If you have younger Scouts, Scouts with physical disabilities, or are simply not up to such an ascent, the gated road to the horse camp is open weekends from the end of May – September. Scouts can hike a well-marked trail up to the Vista Summit from there. Contact DNR: 360.825.1631 for gate information.
Weather: Hot, sunny.
Level: Moderate – Strenuous (Not for the out of shape)
What was the most fun?
Lunch!
What we did:
We saw a lot more wildlife than any other hike we’ve been on, such as chipmunks, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a deer.
We gained over 1200′ in four miles. (If you combine this with camping at Green Mountain horse ranch, it fulfills Camping requirement 9b1)
Ate lunch!
Talked about the Leave No Trace principles.
The most challenging thing:
Going uphill
What we saw:
Crested Woodpecker
Banana Slugs
Fireweed
Huckleberries
Wild Blueberries
Blackberries
Seattle
The entirety of Bremerton
Puget Sound
The Cascade Mountains
What I brought:
The ten essentials
Water
Lunch
Daypack
Powerade
Walking stick (picked up on the trail)
What we learned:
64 oz of water was not enough.
It’s hard to walk uphill.
This hike I finally discovered how many bottles of water is ideal, 5.
Suggestions for other people doing this hike:
Bring a hat.
Bring more water than you think you need.
Bring lots of water.
Bring a comfortable walking stick.
Conclusion:
It was worth it!
It was very tiring.
Strenuous, but quite worth it.
Adult’s note: Park at the Wildcat Trailhead rather than the Gold Mountain. There have been reports of break-ins at Gold Mountain. There are sani-cans at the beginning of the trail, and at the Green Mountain campgrounds, but there is no water source anywhere on the trail.