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 11.5 miles with almost 4000 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 ThereI-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 for 27 miles, past the Verlot Ranger Station (where you can stop to inquire about trail conditions) to Perry Creek Campground. (If coming from Darrington, take Mountain Loop Road (Forest Road 20) south 23.5 miles to Barlow Pass, then west another 3.5 miles to the campground.)
From the campground, turn up Forest Road 4063, go left at the fork to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Red TapeNorthwest Forest Pass required at trailhead.
When To ClimbThis 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.
CampingPerry Creek Campground on Mountain Loop Highway. Could also camp in the meadows.
Mountain ConditionsVerlot 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 Images
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Mountain Loop Highway
