Evergreen Mountain—short and easy hike in the Wild Sky
Enjoy verdant meadows on Evergreen Mountain.
Quick Facts:
Location: Wild Sky Wilderness near Skykomish River Valley
Land Agency: National Forest Service
Roundtrip: 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Access: From Everett head east on US 2 for 50 miles (just past Skykomish) turning left onto Beckler River Road (FR 65). Continue 12.6 miles to a five-way junction at Jack Pass. Take the road to your immediate right (FR 6550) for .9 mile to a junction. Then head up FR 6554, a rough but passable to most vehicles road for 8.7 miles to trailhead at its end.
Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo, WA-No. 143
Good to know: Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, historic, exceptional wildflowers, wilderness regulations apply, Practice Leave No Trace Principles
The hike is short and steep to this restored fire lookout perched on 5,587-foot summit in the Wild Sky Wilderness, but the
View north of Frog Mountain and the Monte Cristo Range.
views are oh so sweet. Starting in an old cut and burn zone, steeply ascend Evergreen’s southwest shoulder pausing to catch your breath and perhaps sample a huckleberry or two. Views of the broad U-shaped Beckler River Valley below should also help keep your mind off of the grind.
At .6 mile enter the Wild Sky Wilderness. Established in 2008, it’s Washington’s newest wilderness area. Now in groves of old-growth mountain hemlock, the climb eases as the way traverses a ridge to a small gap. You’re almost there. Soon enter glorious meadows that burst with wildflower blossoms. Purple, red, yellow, white—evergreen it most certainly isn’t. Swing around the north side of the mountain and after one final push reach the 5,587-foot summit with its restored fire lookout.
Views! They’re amazing. Look south to Mounts Stuart, Daniel, Hinman, and the Snoqualmie Pass peaks with big 
beautiful Rainier hovering above them all. To the west it’s jagged Merchant, Gunn, Spire and Bear mountains, jewels of the Wild Sky. Be sure to look north to the Monte Cristo Peaks, too. And the view east across rolling ridges cloaked in verdant meadows is simply sublime.
The lookout too deserves your admiration. Built in 1935 and revived by the Seattle Explorer Search and Rescue in the 1990s; it’s available through the forest service for nightly rentals. Just imagine the sunsets, sunrises, and night skies from this lofty perch.
For information on lodging and other attractions near the Evergreen Fire Lookout,
visit www.snohomish.org
For more detailed information on this hike and many others along the US 2 corridor, pick up a copy of my Day Hiking Central Cascades
125 hikes from Everett to Wenatchee!
