Big views, bigger climb — Mount Forgotten Meadows! 🏔️

This Sunday we're heading out to the Mountain Loop Highway for Mount Forgotten — a proper butt-kicker that starts at the shared Mount Dickerman trailhead and traces the Perry Creek Trail before the real work begins. After a mandatory unbridged creek crossing, it's steep, relentless hike up the ridge until the trail breaks into a subalpine wonderland of meadows. From up there you get panoramic views of Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, Mount Pugh, and a whole skyline of North Cascades peaks. 🥾

📍 Hike Details (from AllTrails)
Trail: Mount Forgotten Meadows Trail
Distance: ~12 miles
Elevation Gain: ~4,520 ft
Route Type: Out & back
Estimated time: 7–8 hours of hiking
Pass required: Yes — Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful Pass for the trailhead. Parking is permit required; lot has public restrooms.

⚠️ Trail Notes:

• Snow expected — bring microspikes and gaiters
• Summit push is conditional: If conditions aren't conducive (deep snow, ice, poor visibility, or sketchy footing), we'll turn back at the meadows and skip the summit push. The meadows are a worthy destination on their own.
• Creek crossing: There's a mandatory unbridged creek crossing (near Perry Creek Falls) that often requires rock-hopping or wading.
• Meadows → summit: The stretch from the meadows to the summit of Mount Forgotten is a different beast — steep, snowy/icy in places, and trail-finding skills required (especially past Peak 5396). If you're not an experienced scrambler, enjoying the meadows and turning around there is a totally valid day.
• Overgrown sections: Some brushy stretches on the way to the peak.
• Crowds: Not crowded — you may have the meadows nearly to yourself.
• Cell service: Spotty at best. Download your offline map before we leave!

🚗 Schedule & Meeting (Sunday)

• 6:30 AM – Meet at Green Lake Park & Ride (NE 65th St & I-5, Seattle)
• 6:45 AM – Carpool departs promptly
• ~7:15 AM – Pit stop at Safeway – 717 WA-9, Lake Stevens, WA 98258 (bathrooms / snacks / coffee / supplies) (swap in your preferred stop if you have one)
• ~8:45 AM – Arrive at trailhead (Sunrise Mine / Mount Dickerman lot)
• ~9:00 AM – Start hiking 🥾
• ~4:30–5:30 PM – Back to cars
• ~7:00–8:00 PM – Estimated return to Green Lake P&R

🎒 What to Bring

• ✅ Hiking boots (sturdy, good traction for steep switchbacks and snowy/icy sections)
• ✅ Trekking poles (strongly recommended for the climb and descent)
• ✅ Microspikes/traction — snow is expected on the trail
• ✅ Gaiters — for snow and postholing
• ✅ 2–3 liters of water
• ✅ Lunch + snacks
• ✅ Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
• ✅ Warm layers, gloves, hand warmers, etc. — it's cold up high
• ✅ Download offline map (AllTrails recommended — limited cell service, tricky route-finding past Peak 5396)
• ✅ Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful Pass
• ✅ Change of shoes/clothes for post-hike comfort
• ✅ Headlamp — sunset is early these days, so good to have a lamp in case we finish after dark

💰 Cost Sharing
To cover gas and vehicle wear & tear:

• $20 per person if we have 3 riders per car
• $30 per person if we have 2 riders per car

Cash or Venmo.

⚠️ Disclaimer
This is a group-organized hike, NOT a guided tour. The host is not a professional guide, trip leader, or outdoor expert. They are simply organizing a gathering of fellow hikers and are participating themselves. You are solely responsible for your own safety, preparedness, and well-being throughout the entire event. This is a long, strenuous, exposed route with a creek crossing, expected snow, and off-trail navigation near the summit — please only join if you're comfortable with steep terrain, cold conditions, and a full day out.