This trail starts off with a gentle grade through old growth Douglas Fir forest complete with mossy understory.  Once you reach the switchbacks you have already gained 300 feet of elevation.  In another half mile the trail enters the Glacier Peak Wilderness and soon the melodious sounds of Downey Creek grace the ear.  The trail assumes a gentle grade and travels along Downey Creek occasionally offering some nice glimpses of the water below.  At about 2 miles you will come to your first stream crossing, a challenge during snow-melt.

The giant Douglas Fir trees along the trail are very impressive but if they have fallen across the trail one may have to find an alternate path. When you reach about 3 miles you will come to a large avalanche chute where you can see the vast destruction of a crumbling mountain and the boulders that thundered down into the forest below.  Look through the natural break here and catch a view of Green Mountain above.  On a clear day if you scrutinize closely you might see the Green Mountain Lookout.

Along Downey Creek Trail