Hike to Perry Creek Falls & Mount Forgotten Meadows

Granite Falls, Washington

Save

View all 8 photos

All 8 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

11.5 miles

Elevation Gain

3700 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Rose Freeman

As a kid, did you dream of visiting the Great Valley from the Land Before Time like I did? If so, this adventure is for you. Old growth forest, wildflowers, blueberries, cascading waterfalls, peekaboo mountains, and panoramic views from Mount Forgotten Meadows are just a few highlights of this hike!

Most visitors park at this trailhead to hike Dickerman Mountain. Until this spring, so did I. However, don't overlook this stunning valley hike to Perry Creek, Mount Forgotten Meadows, and the scramble up Mount Forgotten!

Begin this hike on the Perry Creek trail, which begins on the far left side of the parking lot. The trail winds 1.3 miles through a mossy old growth forest and along an old forest road to the original trailhead. Continue on the soft gentle grade trail another 2 miles to Perry Creek Falls. This section of the trail passes through a stunning concentration of plants & flowers not found commonly in the Cascades! Parts of the lush trail are a little overgrown, but stay on the trail to protect this ecosystem. Perry Creek Falls at 3.3 miles is a great destination for young families!

The trail to Mount Forgotten meadows continues on 2 more miles and soon requires you to cross Perry Creek. Look for a cairn across the creek and carefully cross if the water is running high in early season. At this point, the trail takes a different shape. Steep switchbacks guide you up the mountainside and across a few more streams. Catch your breath and look through the trees to see the surrounding mountain peaks. When you reach the ridge, continue out through the trees and up to Mount Forgotten Meadows. Glacier Peak rises above the valley below and on a clear day you can see the Olympics to the west! There are several campsites and tarns at the meadow. In the fall, blueberries and huckleberries abound - and so do the local bears. Keep an eye out!

The climbers route to Mount Forgotten, a loose class 3 scramble with some serious exposure, begins after the meadows. Only continue on if you are an experienced climber!

*Side note: If you decide to glissade down from any slopes on this hike, please take off your microspikes / crampons. Glissading with traction devices can cause serious injury or puncture holes in your leg.

This trail has elements for explorers of all ages to enjoy. Happy hiking!

Check out my video of the hike!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

River

Romantic

Scenic

Waterfall

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Mt. Dickerman Summit

In general, this is a strenuous hike or snowshoe at approximately 8 miles round trip with nearly 4000 elevation gain. Be aware of current snow conditions and avalanche risk if heading up in the winter. Do not attempt a winter trip without proper knowledge, skill, and gear. Some previous winter travel and avalanche evaluation experience is helpful. From the Mt. Dickerman trailhead, start hiking...

Snowshoe to Coal Lake

https://www.theoutbound.com/wa...Starting out at the Deer Creek gate of Mountain Loop Highway the road is flat and uneventful for the first 2 miles or so, though it does offer some great views of the Big Four as well as a few other peaks and the babbling south fork of the Stillaguamish river. The highway is closed for the winter months and well packed down by frequent foot traffic as well as a ...

Big Four Ice Caves

Disclaimer: Hiking into the caves is extremely dangerous as there is potential for the ice to fall. We do not recommend hiking inside of them and if you choose to do so, you're doing it at your own risk. This is a short hike at just 2.3 miles roundtrip with little elevation change. The hike takes you through the forest to the side of Big Four Mountain where the Big Four Ice Caves are. The offi...

Vesper Peak Trail

This hike is very strenuous, but nothing unconquerable! The views at sunset were once in a lifetime and something I will remember for the rest of my life. The first half mile or so of the trail begins in a wooded area then opens up to views of the lower valley. After hiking for about another ½ to ¾ of a mile you come around left of a little point which shows you the views of the ridge you will...

Climb Del Campo Peak, WA

Begin by parking at Barlow Pass and following the Gothic Basin Trail to Foggy Lake. Most of the trip's mileage is consumed by just getting to Foggy Lake, from here, the summit sits about 3/4 of a mile distant and over a thousand above you.Face the mountain and identify the obvious leftward trending ramp. Follow this ramp until you reach the prominent coulior leading to the notch separating the ...

Gothic Basin

Looking for a hike that will make you feel like you're in a foreign landscape, but don't have to deal with that far of a drive? Then consider hiking Gothic Basin. This hike is located only 30 miles down the Mountain Loop Highway, which is nearly a hour shorter for people that live in the greater Seattle area than driving up to the popular hiking destinations of Mount Baker. Looming above the o...