When we actually got there after a small hike up we got to the first spot which slowed us down quite a lot because it had been taken down. A scoutmaster informed us of this; then we started the real hike.

One by one we had the questions on our pages answered (mostly), and we even went to see a 26-inute long video about the gold rush that started in Seattle and would end in Alaska. The video talked about how and why the people were going through such a struggle of a journey, with such trials as the Dead Horse Trail or the mountain which took four months to cross, hiking with all their gear on their backs and trying to get their animals across on top of that. Afterwards, we looked around the museum and found such things as the tools they used and how they would carry their equipment.

After we had finally finished the long hike we took the trolley to the bus, then the buse to the ferry, and the ferry back to our car. We once again dropped all the Scouts off at their houses after a longer-than-expected day. Overall, a hard hike because of thte concrete on our legs for so long.

~DT

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.