Difference between revisions of "Goat Lake Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | + | This is one of the best alpine hikes in Oregon and Washington - on your "must do list" for sure. 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. | |
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| + | You can start at either the [[Snowgrass Flats Trailhead]] or the Berry Patch Trailhead, and you can go either clockwise or count-clockwise. | ||
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| + | For this hike, we arbitrarily start at Snowgrass and climb through forest on the Snowgrass Trail (96). This trail can be extremely busy on summer weekends - expect to pass 20 groups of people, but don't worry, at Snowgrass Flat several trails fan out in different directions so the people start thinning out. | ||
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| + | At mile 3.7 is the junction with the Snowgrass By-pass Trail (97) which goes right. Stay left on the Snowgrass Flat Trail (96). The By-pass trail takes you up to the Pacific Crest Trail South to Cispus Pass, which would make a good alternate hike. | ||
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| + | At mile 4.9 is the junction with the Lily Basin Trail (86), which goes left, which is where we want to go. This is the Snowgrass Flat area which contains many nice campsites and a stream for drinking water a short distance to the right (Southeast). | ||
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| + | Following the Lily Basin Trail, in the next 1.5 miles, are about 10 of the nicest campsites you've ever seen. 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. There are a number of streams for drinking water that cross the main trail. Whenever you see a short side trail, it probably goes to a campsite. Fires are allowed, and there are enough trees around for firewood, but keep this to a minimum to reduce impact. | ||
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| + | At about mile 5.5 is an un-marked sidetrail that goes up to the PCT, Old Snowy, and Elk Pass. This is the highest section of the PCT. | ||
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| + | At mile 7.4 is [[Goat Lake]]. Past Goat Lake is an intersection with Trail 95. Trail 95 will return back to the trail head. There are many optional side trips you can add to this route. | ||
=== Fees, Regulations, etc. === | === Fees, Regulations, etc. === | ||
Revision as of 15:25, 21 October 2007
- Start point: Snowgrass Flats Trailhead
- Ending Point: Goat Lake
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Distance: 12.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 2590 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Summer
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This is one of the best alpine hikes in Oregon and Washington - on your "must do list" for sure. 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.
You can start at either the Snowgrass Flats Trailhead or the Berry Patch Trailhead, and you can go either clockwise or count-clockwise.
For this hike, we arbitrarily start at Snowgrass and climb through forest on the Snowgrass Trail (96). This trail can be extremely busy on summer weekends - expect to pass 20 groups of people, but don't worry, at Snowgrass Flat several trails fan out in different directions so the people start thinning out.
At mile 3.7 is the junction with the Snowgrass By-pass Trail (97) which goes right. Stay left on the Snowgrass Flat Trail (96). The By-pass trail takes you up to the Pacific Crest Trail South to Cispus Pass, which would make a good alternate hike.
At mile 4.9 is the junction with the Lily Basin Trail (86), which goes left, which is where we want to go. This is the Snowgrass Flat area which contains many nice campsites and a stream for drinking water a short distance to the right (Southeast).
Following the Lily Basin Trail, in the next 1.5 miles, are about 10 of the nicest campsites you've ever seen. 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. There are a number of streams for drinking water that cross the main trail. Whenever you see a short side trail, it probably goes to a campsite. Fires are allowed, and there are enough trees around for firewood, but keep this to a minimum to reduce impact.
At about mile 5.5 is an un-marked sidetrail that goes up to the PCT, Old Snowy, and Elk Pass. This is the highest section of the PCT.
At mile 7.4 is Goat Lake. Past Goat Lake is an intersection with Trail 95. Trail 95 will return back to the trail head. There are many optional side trips you can add to this route.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- NW Forest Pass may be required.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Goat Lake Loop Hike
- Martell 8/26/06
- jboppelt 7/24/06 - Follows the loop with a lot of additional hiking
- yma 7/14/06
- Add your own...