Liberty Mountain, situated just over two miles south of the iconic Three Fingers, rises in the Boulder River Wilderness. The mountain’s name is a legacy of the old miners who worked in the nearby Silverton area. Additionally, this hard-to-reach vantage point near Mountain Loop Highway frequently attracts the attention of obscure peak seekers.
See more trip photos here.
Liberty Mountain at a Glance
Access: Green Mountain Road @ NF-4130 to 4131
Round Trip: 16.5 miles
Elevation Range: 1760′-5692′
Essential Gear: helmet
Route Info: Andy Dewey, Greg Slayden
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no on summit
Playlist: Beats
An Overdue Visit to Liberty Mountain
Over the years, I’ve admired this mountain from afar, with my first photo captured from Mount Pugh on July 4, 2011. After a recent backpacking trip through the Pasayten Wilderness, Connor and I were ready for a “low-key” day climb. So, Liberty Mountain on the backburners seemed a perfect, long-overdue objective.
The trip began the night before, with a drive to the end of the accessible Green Mountain Road. A group was celebrating the holiday at the boulder blockade, which I decided against attempting to drive over after a brief survey. Connor and I then started before sunrise with a three-mile walk to the fork by the old Road 4130.
Abandoned Road on Green Mountain
The decommissioned road held numerous dips from removed culverts, spaced farther apart the deeper we ventured. The terrain varied from light brush to areas cluttered with downed logs, which were more manageable for the dog. Overall, the densely vegetated gullies were the most physically demanding, especially those located under the north side of Green Mountain’s east peak.
As the thick forest gave way to views of the surrounding valley, the walk became more pleasant as the road conditions in the upper valley improved. The magnificent Three Fingers was a constant on the final stretch of the roadway and motivated us onward. With my zoom lens, I could see the lookout tower perched atop the south peak, a speck against the vast mountain backdrop.
After traveling 4.5 slow miles to the road’s end, we gained 1000 feet. What soon followed was a 700-foot descent through a semi-open forest, initially covered in tree debris. Thankfully, we bypassed most of the devil’s club along South Fork Canyon Creek and took advantage of a large log crossing. Soon, we began the arduous but direct climb from the west slopes at nearly 2100 vertical feet per mile.
Reaching the Liberty Mountain Summit
The incline increased as we slowly moved toward the southwest ridge with dense brush between 3700 and 3900 feet. Mosquitoes and other bugs remained dormant until higher on the mountain, where they quickly became an annoyance. At 4300 feet, we encountered an unexpected notch, which was more feasible to traverse than to bypass on the steep south side.
Spotty views of the Canyon Creek Valley and Mount Pilchuck appeared first. Inching up the ridgeline, the forest eventually gave way to steep, grass slopes adorned with vibrant wildflowers. The exposure beneath us demanded full attention as we ascended near sparse trees. Meanwhile, the bone-dry ridge offered the closest thing to water, a few snow patches in the final 400 feet.
One Summit and Three Volcanoes
As we neared the top, Connor found a comfortable spot by a tree, cooling off in a patch of snow. I then tackled a short, class 4 scramble to the summit, with krummholz aiding me through the narrow, exposed ramps. Soon, the effort was rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the wilderness. Three Fingers, our goal for the following day, with Whitehorse Mountain behind it, dominated the view.
The clear blue skies offered a three-volcano view of Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak. After reuniting with the dog, we returned to the creek, followed by an agonizing 700-foot ascent up to the road’s end. A final look at Liberty Mountain, and we soon retraced our steps deep in the debris and brush. Back at the fork, we made camp for the night and prepared for tomorrow’s climb.
