Goat Rocks (Hawkeye) snow update July 8-10

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romann
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Goat Rocks (Hawkeye) snow update July 8-10

Post by romann » July 15th, 2022, 8:32 pm

Can't post a full trip report tonight, but if anyone is interested in conditions up there I'll do a quick update. Note that it was a week ago, so snow conditions likely improved quite a bit.

Went up Goat Ridge trail up to Hawkeye Peak summit. 2 nights in Jordan Basin. Failed going to Goat Lake from that direction.

- Trail is in OK condition. There were maybe a couple dozen trees down, but most are step-overs
- Snow is more an issue, once you get to around 5700-5900' (past the steep part of the trail), there are sections from several hundred feet to maybe half mile covered in snow. And long, totally melted out sections in between. Mostly, steep slopes were snow-fee and gullies and flats still had deep snow.
- Gravel road from SR 12 along Johnson Creek wasn't graded as of last weekend, many potholes, ok in a small car but slower than usual
- Lots of snow-free spots to camp, I wouldn't worry about having to camp on snow
- Bugs were bad in the forest. Much better but still noticeable above treeline
- Getting onto the pass over Goat Ridge was partially on snow. East side of the pass (toward the lake) was almost 100% snow and no tracks. Tried it in crampons but snow slope was allmost slush - poor traction - and I didn't have an axe. Could be much better by now?
- Uppermost ridge up Hawkeye is melted out
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View to Old Snowy and Ives from Goat Ridge Pass
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Despite the looks, getting past snowdrift on the pass is easy. But going farther [UT the slope gets steep
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Old Snowy close up. You may recognize a small falls (the trail is on talus, would be just below it), and an open "cirque" meadow you cross on summer trail
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Looking back at Jordan Basin
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Early flowers
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Steep part just before Jordan Basin was (thankfully) snow-free..
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..but farther down there's a 1/2 mile section with deep snow. And another half mile section down that way, where trail is going on a small plateau
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Hawkeye Peak ("Point"?) on the left, Old Snowy on the right
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I am always fascinated by that snow pile on the last saddle before Hawkeye. But this time it was taller I've ever seen it!
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View from summit ridge of Hawkeye Peak
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Johnson Peak and Rainier
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Going back - distant Gilbert Peak, Horn, and Goat Citadel
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Last edited by romann on July 15th, 2022, 9:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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romann
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Re: Goat Rocks (Hawkeye) snow update July 8-10

Post by romann » July 15th, 2022, 8:38 pm

North side of Mt. Adams (big picture)
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Come summer, plant life doesn't waste time waiting for snow to be gone
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Lenticulars on last night
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Cat tax
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drm
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Re: Goat Rocks (Hawkeye) snow update July 8-10

Post by drm » July 16th, 2022, 7:40 am

I think this is going to be one of those years when Goat Lake never fully melts out.

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sgyoung
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Re: Goat Rocks (Hawkeye) snow update July 8-10

Post by sgyoung » July 16th, 2022, 11:02 am

This is very timely. My wife and I are eyeing up a goat rocks weekend trip and have been looking for info on snow levels. Thanks for writing up this report.

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