Wildcat Workout
An exhilarating trek to the top of Green Mountain
Astounding scenery, an exhilarating workout and some great single
track trails is what you get when you do the Wildcat Workout to the
top of Green Mountain just west of Bremerton.
photo: The view across Puget Sound to
Seattle and the Cascades
The Wildcat trail is part of an extensive trail system that runs
through the Green Mountain area. Open to hikers, ORV’s, dual
sporters and mountain bikers this multiple-use trail system,
constructed with Non-highway & Off-road Vehicle Activities (NOVA)
money, is one of the finest in the state.
 The
trail begins in the parking lot to the north of Green Mountain near
Wild Cat Lake. Here you can park your car if you brought one, or
simply enter the trail system if you’re pulling up on a dual sport.
The trail winds its way around trees, rocks, over streams and
upward to the vista point atop Green Mountain. Pick a sunny and
clear day and you’ll be rewarded with a view that looks east across
the Puget Sound to Seattle and all the way up to the Cascades. It’s
stunning, so remember to pack your camera.
Your ride up will absolutely get your heart pumping as you
maneuver the various aspects of the trail. This is a workout any
health insurance provider would be proud of. The ride up takes
thirty minutes to an hour depending on your ability, and the ride
back down about the same.
Photo: A look at the type of terrain you'll find throughout the
trail system along Green Mountain
Concerning your ability? How skilled are you at single track
riding? If you’re not, you might want to first visit here with a
mountain bike and get a feel for the lay of the land, then return
with your motorcycle. If you ride a larger bike, such as a BMW 11 or
12 series GS this type of terrain is not advisable for the
less-than-skilled. If your bike has side boxes or bags you’re better
off detaching them and leaving them at home, the narrowness of some
of the trails does not lend itself well to the width some cargo
boxes require.
 A
favorite way we like to approach this ride is by dualsport,
utilizing 250 cc bikes. We take a 10 a.m. ferry from Edmonds to
Kingston and ride the paved back roads out to the Camp House Grill
near Seaback. After to hearty lunch there we check our tire
pressure, gas up and head over to the trailhead parking area
arriving early afternoon.
Photo: Our arsenal of 250 dualsports which we ride over
from Seattle. Even with 80/20 dual sport tires we negotiated
the trails well. No broken bones yet.
Remember you’ll be sharing the trails with hikers, mountain
bikers, horses and other ORV users. This is a very intricate blend
of users and the highest courtesy from all is appreciated. Hikers
are good about stepping aside, when you see a horse get off the
throttle and negotiate a safe pass, don’t mow down mountain bikers
(they can typically beat you on the downhill stretches). At the
trailhead you’ll find the code of ethics for each type of user. Read
it and respect it. In our experience everyone gets along pretty well
here. ORV tagged users must remember you’re not allowed on the
gravel roads that the trail crosses from time to time. See
the link below for the Department of Natural
Resources road usage rules in this area.
 An
area such as this is a rare find. The trails need regular use from
all types of users to keep them open and trail maintenance
volunteers are needed regularly. If you’re so inclined, write a
letter to Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands (DNR) and
let him know you’re riding and enjoying this area which enriches
your quality of life as a motorcyclist and is a reason why you live
in Washington state. You can also contact groups like the NMA to
volunteer your time for trail maintenance in this area and many
others.
Photo: The Brothers in the Olympic range as captured off the
west vista viewpoint of Green Mountain
Whatever you’re doing on the next sunny day – bag it and get out
to do the Wildcat Workout!
TM/Spring 06
Special thanks to Jim Palms and Dave Hiatt for
their assistance in this article.
Resources for the Green Mountain area
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