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Green Lake once attracted thousands of visitors. Since the road started having problems, the traffic as significantly disappeared. The clear blue-green lake surrounded by forests and cliffy mountains is a good destination alone. The trail gains elevation gradually and is rich with diversity from ferns to giant trees. Die-hard peakbaggers continue on to Authur and Gove Peaks, off trail scrambles above the lake.

Green Lake Trail - Gove Peak - Arthur Peak

Distance: 2 miles from trailhead (3 more if road out)
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet to the lake
Summit Elevations: Gove 5,310 Arthur 5,465
Access Rating: Paved to park entrance

Take State Route 410 to Buckley. Turn right onto SR 165. Proceed to the bridge over the Carbon River Gorge and then bear left to get to Mount Rainier National Park's Carbon River Entrance. The official trailhead is 3 miles beyond to a small parking space at the Ranger Creek crossing.

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The trail begins at Carbon River entrance if the road is not repaired. Three miles in, the trail at Ranger Creek leaves the road toward the lake. The beginning of the official trail climbs through a grove of Eight hundred year-old Douglas fir trees. In one mile is Ranger Creek Falls, a short side-trip to the better views. The lower portion of the 100-foot waterfall splits into two falls. In 1.5 miles the track levels and crosses the clear-watered creek and at 2 miles reaches the lake, elevation 3,000 feet. Camping is not permitted here. An unmaintained and nearly gone trail continues to the head of the lake. The lookout cabin atop Tolmie Peak can even be seen.