We thought we'd attempt a Memorial Day hike, braving crowds, but there was barely a soul on route 12, heading east from I-5. The signs at Cowlitz ranger station (in Randle) let us know that route 25 was closed at Benham Bridge, so we wouldn't be able to get to Norway Pass that way. (Access to Windy Ridge was thus also blocked.) We decided to try to get to Norway Pass via route 26. It was tricky to actually find the turn to route 26 (not well marked), but we found it and it was a nice drive. Unfortunately, very close to the point at which the Norway Pass trail would've started (not far past the Green River trailhead), the road was washed out. Impassable for cars. So we backtracked and did the Green River trail towards the Horse campground. Some snow and soft/wet spots, but on the whole very easy to traverse. Lush and green and beautiful. Got down to the campground (didn't see a soul there either) and then turned around.

Backcountry Horsemen of Washington - Lewis County Chapter cleared Green River Trail #213 from WEYCO RD 2500 (private property)trailhead to the Green River Horse Camp. WEYCO RD 2500 is regulated by the logging company - check for open weekend dates. Their regulations are no campfires or camping on their private property plus the gates are only open from dawn to dusk. Green River Trail #213 from the WEYCO RD 2500 trailhead to the horse camp is an eleven mile trail along the river through old growth timber, rain forest conditions and a silver forest - blast zone from the Mt. St. Helens eruption. The Green River Trail #213 from FS RD 26 above Ryan Lake to Strawberry Mountain Trail #220 (a 1895 mining trail) was heavily damaged by winter conditions. Snow levels at 4700 feet elevation will delay repair of this segment of the trail.

The Green River Trail is a fantastic early season hike. It begins in second growth in an area salvaged after the Mt. St. Helens blast, descends along Green River through a meadow filled with huge snags left by the eruption, and enters luxurious old growth. The Vanson Ridge Trail offers a connection to the Goat Mountain Trail. I climbed up to about 3600 feet on this trail and turned around to camp along the river. It was snow-free at least that far. Right now, 4WD is needed to reach the trail due to a slide over FR 26.

Icy Creek Short hike along the Green River gorge. Great for a leisurely day out other than the 300 foot climb out of the gorge on a logging road. Enter Gate across from the gravel pit and follow road straight. It goes through a 10 year old stand of forest and then curves slightly to the right and enters some tall hardwood trees. Then continues to where the road slopes steeply down to the gorge. Just before it heads down hill there is an old road / trail off to the left that takes you down to the headwaters of Icy Creek. Go down and stay to the right. Go to the end. This is an underground spring that suddenly appears out of the ground before tumbling 300 feet down to the Green River in the gorge. there is an old dam (used for trout farming around 1918). Now its just a great place to enjoy the creek and shaded forest. Onward to the gorge. Follow the road through mature forest of Douglas Fir and Cedar. Its a sample of forest that is all to scarce in the foothills now. Lush giant ferns and salal. The road curves downward. You'll pass a bench on the right that is a memorial to a man who loved hiking in the gorge with his wife. Continue to the bottom. At the bottom there is a DFW fish pond (before you get to miffed remember the only reason any of the land around Icy Creek is preserved is because of this fish pond). To the right is a little trail that goes down to where Icy Creek meets a beautiful bend on the Green River. Icy creek tumbles from the top of the gorge down to the river. Although it is too steep for salmon to swim up, salmon(both hatchery and native) spawn at the mouth of Icy Creek. Make sure to walk around the pond to where Icy Creek enters the river bottom. You'll be treated to a wall of springs cascading down through maidenhair ferns hanging from the rock face. Absolutley gorgeous. These are year round springs that feed the river gorge. Trip time: Depends on how much you enjoy the scenery. Approx 1-2 hrs Mileage. About 3 miles RT. Can be longer with some side trip exploring. Directions to Green River Trails Ride To get here: From 1-90 to Hwy 18. Take hwy 18 towards Auburn. Take the Maple >> Valley exit. Take a left at the light and go over the hwy. Take >> a right at the light onto hwy 169. Follow past 4 corners and >> Black Diamond. Cross the Green River Gorge. Head up the hill. >> Just past the clearcut on the left take a left onto the Enumclaw / >> franklin rd. There are two lefts. Its in the shape of a pie >> wedge with the turns about 50 feet apart. Take the second left. >> The first left intersects the second left and you end up having to >> make a blind left hand turn. Then follow rd for about 1 mile past the housesThen follow rd for about 1 mile past the houses, then past the clearcut. Continue approx 1 mile to a gate across from a small gravel pit. Park in pullouts. From Seattle head south on I-5. Take the hwy 18 exit towards >> Auburn. Take the Auburn Way exit. Take a left at the light. >> Follow to 400th (across from the Amphitheater_ Take a left. >> Follow to Krain's Corner at light. Take a left. Go to the >> Enumclaw / Franklin rd. Take a right. Then follow rd for about 1 mile past the houses, then past the clearcut. Continue approx 1 mile to a gate across from a small gravel pit. Park in pullouts. For general recreation map of the Green River Gorge go to: http://www.mgrc.org Visit the ""Projects"" page for Preservation and recreation maps.

Backcountry Horsemen of Washington - Lewis County Chapter cleared the Green River Trail #213 during their July 4th weekend work party. A loop trip using trails #213, 213A, & 217 is now possible.