Mount Forgotten

Overview

Located along the scenic Mountain Loop Highway in the North Cascades, Mt. Forgotten lays hidden among the surrounding craggy peaks of the North/Central Cascades in Washington state.

This area of the North Cascades is unique as it gets almost the same amount of rainfall as the Olympic Mountains (up to 140 inches) which makes for some dense forests and many small ponds and tarns. The area was originally developed when gold and silver were discovered but a few years later in the 1890's that boom was over and the area was then developed for rich Seattle tourists. That dried up when the stock market crashed.

The hike up Mount Forgotten is a nice hike that will take you most of the day. Round trip it is 14.5 miles with almost 4300 feet of gain. Forgotten itself has a prominence of 2725 feet. It is a Class 3 scramble from the meadows to the summit, loose in spots. The hike starts through a valley with Big Four Mountain at the southern end. Most dayhikers with families stop at the falls but many continue on to the meadows which are itself a great goal. The amazing views of the summit rocks and the surrounding mountains are worth that alone. And in late summer, the area is full of blueberries and huckleberries which are plundered by hikers. The hike over to the summit begins with a loose downclimb and traverses the east side of the summit rocks to a tarn on the NE corner. From there you ascend a gully to the summit. The true summit is the middle of the three points though most stop at the north one. There is some serious exposure over to the true summit.

Beckey states that early settlers called Mt. Forgotten the "Lady of the Mountains" because it resembled a hooded woman. The rock is volcanic breccia which is cut by dikes. It is a fairly popular hike although probably 90% stop in the meadows and do not complete the scramble to the actual summit.

Getting There

I-5 to Highway 2 east to Highway 9 north to State Route 92 (Mountain Loop Road) to Granite Falls and follow the Mountain Loop Roop east (it's a left at the east end of town) past the Public Service Center in Verlot 16.3 miles (you can also stop at the Verlot Ranger Station to inquire about trail conditions) to a large trailhead parking on the left for Mt. Dickerman. (If coming from Darrington, take Mountain Loop Road (Forest Road 20) south 23.5 miles to Barlow Pass, then west a couple miles to the trailhead.)

Please note that these directions and trailhead are new as of 2009 as the road to the trailhead from Perry Creek Campground has now been closed. A connector trail over to the Perry Creek Route has added 1.5 miles each way and 300 feet to the old route. (Link to information.) Please be aware of this if you are also going by a guide book that is older than 2009.

Red Tape

Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead.

When To Climb

This hike is best done in summer or early fall. For adventuresome folks, go in the dead of winter for a fun approach.

Blueberries and huckleberries abound just before the meadows in late summer.

Camping

Perry Creek Campground on Mountain Loop Highway. Could also camp in the meadows.

Mountain Conditions

Verlot Ranger Station (staffed in summer), (360) 691-7791
33515 Mountain Loop Highway
Granite Falls, WA 98252

Darrington Ranger District
360-436-1155

Link for Road Conditions

External Links

• Mount Forgotten Pictures from IBEXtrax.com
  Numerous pictures and map of the Mount Forgotten area.
  
• Mt. Forgotten Meadows Pictures
  Pictures from WashingtonHikes.com .
  
• Perry Creek/Mt. Forgotten Trail No. 711
  Trail description from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper website.
  
• Perry Creek Trail Description
  From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper.
  
• Mt. Forgotten Trail to Perry Creek Falls
  Trip report from June 29, 2002 with lots of pictures.
  

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Images

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