Continue down the Goat Ridge Trail to its beginning at the Berry Patch Trailhead at mile 12.0. From the Snowgrass Flat Trailhead, you start on the Snowgrass Hiker Trail (#96A) which ends at mile 0.2 where it joins the Snowgrass Trail (#96). The picture is from our cook area and we weren't with any of the other tents in the photograph. This hike and many more begin here.
The Goat Rocks Wilderness drapes over the crest of the Cascade Range in South-Central Washington, offering endless views of iconic Cascade peaks and volcanoes.
You'll notice that what you are heading towards is a depression at the top of the valley.
Finally, theres a half hour of forest road drive before u get to the th so choose ur vehicle accordingly. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. recommend just getting to Goat Lake and back, so This area would be much less exposed than camping at Goat Lake, and there are probably fewer people.
There are few reports of animal or bird encounters in this area. COOKING SYSTEM:We used the Jetboil MiniMocooking system and Snow Peak Folding Spoonon this trek, all of which make our top picks gear listand best lightweight stove list. Hiking Washington's Goat Rocks Country: A Guide to the Goat Rocks and Lewis and Cispus River Regions of Washington's Southern Cascades - Extremely detailed hiking guide to the Goat Rocks Wilderness, offering 50 detailed hike descriptions. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. What protects it, however, is the 2+ hour drive from the nearest town over 5,000 people, and the extensive snow pack that only allows this trail to be accessed for a few months out of the year. If you look closely at the cliffs above the lake you can see goatsthey tend to stay high until evening. You can also attain them at the Forest Service Ranger Stationin Randle, Washington.
July and August is a great time to visit Goat Rocks, but you should be prepared for the possibility of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. For more popular CleverHiker content, check out the following links: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links. BACKPACK:We used the Gossamer Gear Gorillaand the ULA Circuitbackpack on this trek. Ended up doing the trail counter-clockwise, seemed like way less up hill. Normally this wouldn't be difficult, but there was a foot of snow on the trail that made it difficult to tell if you were stepping a snow bank or the dirt trail. 9/5/2021: Day 3 of 3. Green Trails Map 303s - We love Green Trails Maps. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations. Its about more than standing on the mountain top.
Had my choice of camp sites, not a soul anywhere.
This page was last modified on 17 August 2021, at 18:33. area will bring you to a saddle between the two valleys Weve got you covered from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items. FIRST AID KIT:Always bring a small personalized first aid kit.
Camping prohibited within 100 feet of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and within 100 feet of lakes.
Stay right on the Snowgrass Trail.
A family trip up to Goat Rocks Wilderness and Goat Lake.
WET WIPES: These can be useful for cleaning up after hiking. Goat Rocks Wilderness to the summit of Old Snowy. Weird. This hiking trail offers almost everythingany outdoor enthusiast is looking for: old-growth forest, waterfalls, lush wildflower meadows, extensive wildlife (e.g., Roosevelt elk, hoary marmots, mountain goats, etc. Adams perfectly framed by the valley in pink alpenglow. You encounter some tarns and nice campsites away from other people. You've accomplished most of the climbing by this point. and Goat Lake loop 081220, Goat Lake (Washington Trails Association), Snowgrass Flat & Goat Lake Basin (The Mountaineers), Hiking in the Goat Rocks: Snowgrass Flats Goat Lake Loop (Northwest TripFinder), Goat Lake Loop (Southwest Washington Best Hikes), Goat Rocks Wilderness Snowgrass Flat and Goat Lake (Jay's Journeys), Goat Rocks Wilderness: Goat Lake Loop and Old Snowy (Eric's Hikes), Goat Lake via the Snowgrass Trailhead (Outdoor Project), Goat Ridge to Goat Lake Hike (Northwest Hiker), Snowgrass Flats and Goat Lake Loop Trail (All Trails), https://www.oregonhikers.org/w/index.php?title=Goat_Lake_Loop_Hike&oldid=102206, Difficulty: Difficult if done in 1 day, moderate if done as an overnight backpack, Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required at, Self-issued wilderness permit; wilderness rules apply. Seems like a spot that needs to be permitted.
One of the best hikes I've done. The "off-trail traverse" from the PCT to Goat Lake wasn't super obvious to me, so here is a picture of the lake and the traverse (taken from Goat Lake facing the PCT intersection).
However, there was a small sedan at the trail head- so not impossible. Keep your eyes open in this area and expect to see mountain goats on the ridge above you (Goat Ridge). Froze overnight, no wildlife to speak of, but plenty of people.
The Lily Basin Trail continues a steep ascent to the right along alpine areas and would make a good side trip. In about 0.5 mile, that trail reaches the crest of Goat Ridge.
The Snowgrass Trail to Snowgrass Flat can be extremely busy on summer weekends - expect to pass 20 groups of people. Take a look through the trees for a glimpse of Mt.
Glacier Lake trailhead, but you continue straight ahead on FR21. On the way back from Goat Lake, you are on the Lily Basin trail 86, then the Snowgrass trail 96. The views are no better than anywhere else and the trail is not well maintained. We also saw 12 mountain goats on the hills across the lake and Mermots near the campground. Day two I woke up to hardened snow, but persistent clear sky. a bit of a challenge but so worth it.
There may be snow in this area so look carefully for the trail exit at what looks like the edge of the meadow you are in. I caught this fellow hiker coming around a bend and boy does he make a great prop! Lots of people camped at the lake with no coverage or good bathroom areas. At mile 3.7 is the junction with the Snowgrass Bypass Trail (#97), which goes right. Quite impressive! Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. Wildlife. At about mile 5.5 is an unmarked side trail that goes up to the PCT, Old Snowy, and Elk Pass.
I would recommend doing this as a backpacking trip, but I did the loop as a long day hike. Nice view of Mt Adams + but sadly did not see any goats. This was one of my favorite shots from the hike. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Embraced by both the Gifford Pinchot and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, and located just south of Mt. The reward once you climb into the open area are dramatic vistas as beautiful as any in the world. Started at Snowgrass Flats and took the Lily Basin trail up to Goat Lake. A lightweight water filter or chlorine dioxide dropsor pillswould be a good choice as well.
INSECT REPELLANT: At higher elevations insects weren't a problem for us at all. Please. Check out this 12.1-mile loop trail near Packwood, Washington.
Please do your duty to preserve this fragile environment by following Leave No Trace practices and pack out all your trash. Call the local Ranger District office for up-to-date information, as requirements can change. The last little push to the lake is a short steady incline that makes you work for the view thats waiting for you up top. FOOD:When backpacking in Goat Rocks you'll have to carry all your food. Follow CleverHiker on Facebook to catch our latest updates & shares. This region is becoming pretty popular so the earlier you get here the better of a chance you will have to get a site. St. Helens in the distance. This lake is usually frozen well into the summer, although it's not advisable to trek out onto it at any time of the year. Please consider using a safe food storage container, such as an Ursack. No one wants to stop and let your conga line pass. FR 040 to what is referred to as the Berry Patch trailhead. 
Old Snowy, Chimney Rock, Goat Ridge and Nannie Peak Loop, Walupt Creek Falls via Klickitat Loop Trail, Cispus Pass and Goat Lake via Goat Ridge, Lilly Basin, Bypass, PCT, Nannie Ridge, Walupt Lake, and Klickitat Loop, Walupt Lake to White Pass via Pacific Crest Trail, Cispus Pass and Nannie Peak via Snowgrass, PCT, Nannie Ridge #98, Walupt Lake, and Klickitat Loop, Snowgrass, Old Smokey, Packwood Lake via PCT, Nannie Peak, Old Snowy, Chimney Rock, Packwood Lake and Hawkeye Point via PCT.
Very nice.
Getting pretty cold out there! A fee tube is located at the motorized trailhead below the parking lot. 
Don't worry - at Snowgrass Flat several trails fan out in different directions, so the people start thinning out. The most amazing hike I have done in WA.
Had plenty of solitude. Take a look at the towering peaks around you. July and August are usually great for wildflowers, but thats also the time when mosquitoes will be the worst. You can then follow the ridge on a primitive trail to Hawkeye Point which overlooks Goat Lake.
. The campsites at goat lake can get crowded, and i think the ones in snowgrass flats are better anyways.
I recommend a vehicle built for that sort of terrain. Travel east on US Hwy 12 for about 48 miles to Randle.
Chamber Lake campground.
circ. Collect and bag food scraps and pack out as trash. The cascading water of this one is very beautiful. Below we outline several itineraries to meet your group's needs. Groups larger than 12 must split into two or more smaller groups and remain least at least 1 mile or 1 hour travel distance apart at all times.
Social media is great, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a much better way to stay in the know. If time allows, definitely consider side trips to either old snowy or hamilton point.
Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Lovely trail, got caught in a snowstorm last night but found a relatively protected spot on the SE end of the lake. Wildflowers are abundant and colorful. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. If you're doing the loop, it saves 0.4 miles to park at Berry Patch. Were proudly donating 100% of our revenue from today to the following organizations to address social justice and policy change. Alpinists are drawn to the wilderness areas highest point 8,184-foot Gilbert Peak, which can be summited via a challenging but nontechnical ascent. Would not hike along this ridge without micro-spikes or crampons. Presuming you parked at the Snowgrass Flat Trailhead, take the Snowgrass Trail (#96) to the junction with the Snowgrass Hiker Trail (96A) at mile 12.6, and turn right to get to the trailhead at mile 12.8. HAND SANITIZER: Always apply after using a bathroom and before eating. Color of Goat Lake is a bit different! Also, here's our top picks for the best backpacking footwear.
Trail was in good conditions, but a little muddy because of the early snowfall but manageable. Wash dishes, bathe and camp at least 100 feet (30 m) from water sources, trails and campsites. So beautiful. The views are absolutely amazing.
TENT:We used the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2tent on this trip. Eventually, The campsite was like a dream with lake view on one side and Matt adams on the other alongwith panoramic views of vistas all around. Campaign Zero
At about 6 miles you will come upon Goat Lake. The mostly gradual downhill and flats on the second day make a great victory lap and are easy to cruise down. New backpacking videos,trip reports,gear reviews,inspiring stories and more. Switchbacking your way up the east side of this Returned to camp, made dinner, endured very, very chilly night. The towering mountain up the right is Hawkeye Point. Third day was cloudy again giving it a mystic charm, we saw clouds covering mt adams and goat lake. Clear of snow to trailhead. Great hike.
The Yakama Indian Reservation, bordering the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the southeast, is closed to the public except for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail route. Not a lot of people on a Monday. It's one of our favorite places in the Pacific Northwest. Instead of two nights, I did the loop in one night and two days.. As an organization, we feel this issue is too important to remain silent and do nothing. But the window on these higher elevation adventures is tight;the snow often doesnt melt until August and can reappear as early as late September. Heres why we prefer hiking in trail running shoes:5 Reasons to Ditch Your Hiking Boots. POCKET KNIFE:We brought along a small Swiss Army Knife, which came in handy here and there. The trail goes even a bit higher than Goat Lake, and there are north facing slopes, so expect to see snow even later, often all year. There are no food storage requirements for this area, but you should always store your food properly in the backcountry. This hike to Goat Lake via Goat Ridge follows Trail #95
We love backpacking, international travel, useful gear, and all things nature. All in all a magical and excellent backpacking trip! The ascent to goat rocks is gradual and easy on the legs. They're both lightweight, convenient, comfortable, and make our list of the best lightweight backpacking packs. The second day we climbed for 3 miles to the goat lake while hiking through beautiful views of mt adams and fall colored green meadows.
stay to the right as you pass Trail #95A. Started the loop counterclockwise on last Friday around 3:30pm and reached the alpine campground around 6:30pm after multiple breaks. We prefer lightweight backpacking because its more comfortable and it allows us to cover more ground with less effort. Spectacular views and totally worth doing as a day hike.
Place your food and scented items inside of it when you are away from your camp or at night. The self-issuing permits are free and available at all trailheads leading into the wilderness areas. Roughly 12+ a mile on each side of the lake. Would highly recommend! On warmer years with lighter snowpack,June backcountry trips are quite feasible. We believe good things come from people spending time outside.
to Goat Lake the better the displays. The trail till alpine campground was shaded fully with trees and passes through forest. Woke to about 34 degrees, frost on the ground. Only one other car at TH. I did this trail summer 2021. very busy, very beautiful. 
Sky cleared up completely at around d 4PM and there was a totally unobstructed view of Mt. New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. lots of loose dogs, one even lunged and was aggressive. We turned around at mile four due to trail and weather conditions. Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada. We hope this guide helps you plan an awesome backpacking trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Our car was there at the hike end. 17mi. Great hike! There are plenty of streams and lakes throughout the Goat Rocks Wilderness. The highest section of the hike, around Goat Lake, is snow covered until about late July and is very exposed during bad weather, so keep an eye on the weather reports. Check out our Best Lightweight Backpacking Food Guideand our Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Mealsfor some of our go-to recommendations. Went counterclockwise and really appreciated the gradual gains with the full pack.
Would recommend to anyone wanting insane views and a tough one night backpack. Follow the signs to Berry Patch Trailhead.
This helps to reduce resource damage and minimize human impact in high elevation/high use areas by concentrating visitor use to a few often-used sites rather than scattered sites throughout an area. Not to be missed. If you prefer boots, make sure theyre lightweight and break them in really well before your trip. No snow, shirt sleeves by then, 2 pm or so. The forecast had snow the following day so that may have played a factor. 2021Outdoor Project.
There was a foot of fresh snow on the ground, so finding a suitable camping spot was difficult. The same is true for autumn hiking, some years early snowstorms make this area inaccessible and other years its stable into October.
What you are actually walking through is a deep layer of rich volcanic ash from the 1980 St. Helens eruption that supports a wide variety of wildflowers. Amazing views and this hike is a must! At mile 8.2 is the intersection with the Goat Ridge Trail (#95). Rainier and just north of Mt Adams, much of Goat Rocks 120-mile trail system stays on the ridges at or above timberline. Lots of streams with clean drinking water so no need to overpack water.
Also, consider taking mosquito repellent for this hike because bugs are numerous there in July and August. Take your time walking up into this glacial cirque called "Jordan Basin" and enjoy the flowers. I will come back for backpacking trip for sure. You get great views of Goat Rocks and Goat Ridge above you to the north and east and great views south and west towards Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. Actually,
you will meet the same trail again at the other end Friggin spectacular. We love its combination of low weight and livability and that's why it's one of our top picks on our best lightweight backpacking tentslist. If you have two cars you can drop one at this trailhead to save the 0.75 mile flat walk back to Berry Flats. Walking up the side of this glacially carved valley away from Goat Lake is amazing. There is a large area at Berry Patch to park with big trees to the south so you get better shade for your car.
about 3 miles and you will pass the junction on your left which leads to the This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Very few people on the trail. We didnt find any mosquitoes but there were quite some bees and my partner got bitten by a honeybee so please carry insect bite ointments in your first aid kid.
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About 5 miles from the trailhead the road was snowed in with maybe 10 inches of snow. Numerous snowfields flank its craggy ridges and peaks, while steep drainages open into basins filled with alpine meadows and glacial lakes. Goat lake was absolutely gorgeous and we camped in one of the sites close to the lake. continues to do so for the first couple miles.
The trail begins a very steep climb immediately, and Shoe Lake basin and Snow Grass Flats are closed to camping and campfires; camping is available at Hidden Springs (about 1 mile west of Shoe Lake). Don't forget to look up and examine the surrounding Before heading out, check the National Weather Service for current conditions. You can continue on the Lily Basin Trail to other beautiful alpine areas. This page has been accessed 191,029 times. Fall colors, and early snow, wildlife, views of Adams, Helens, Rainer and a stunning lake. Whenever you see a short side trail, it probably goes to a campsite. Turn right onto FS 21 and drive about 20 miles on the dirt road (all wheel drive is nice here). Hiked on 09 OCT 2021. usually doesn't thaw until mid-August. As always, be prepared and diligent in monitoring current conditions as weather can change quickly in the mountains. Group size is limited to no more than 12 per party, in any combination of people and pack or saddle stock. The lake and mt adams make for a stunning double reward at the end of a intense but relatively short first day. The Bypass trail takes you up to the Pacific Crest Trail, which goes south to Cispus Pass: this would make a good alternate hike.
On a clear day from this point you will have a great view of Mt. Hiked from the Snowgrass Trailhead to Snowgrass Flats, 4 miles total. Here you will notice campsites all around. This is where the trail is. Again, bear right I couldn't really blame anyone as they came in late and were likely tired, but . Doing so will make for a more safe and enjoyable adventure. Great place for lunch. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. It There are great views. It was super crowded (e.g., people willing to set up a tent within 50 feet of yours).
6/12/22. A good alternate hike would be to continue on the Snowgrass Trail, up to the PCT, and then north to Old Snowy and the PCT Summit, which is the highest section of the PCT in Washington. Fantastic. you approach from above the lake, looking down. This trail is frequented by horses. Still have some fall colors!
We did the trail in 2 nights and overall 3 days.
Image by: @jitterbug_art, The OR Helium Rain Jacket and Pants (updated for 2020) are among the most affordable options in the ultralight rain gear market. you will come to the junction of Forest Road 2150. Although most routes in Goat Rocks are not technically demanding, you should always plan thoroughly, train properly, know your limitations,brush up on your skills, and dial in your gear. Always follow proper storage techniquesto ensure your food is safe and you're doing your job to keep wildlife wild.
CAMERA: The Sony RX100 is our go-to camera for lightweight backpacking.
The road leading to the trail head is rough with washboards and pot holes- approximately 15.5 miles of it. At about 4.5 miles you will climb up into a really neat Additional information on geology, history, and wildlife round out this superb guidebook.
