Snowgrass Flat Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Snowgrass Flat Trailhead
- End Point: Snowgrass Flat
- Distance: 11.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 2590 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: Summer
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
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Hike Description
This lollipop loop visits Snowgrass Flat, a beautiful alpine meadow with great views on a clear day and millions of wildflowers in August. The hike to get here is not overly long or difficult and consequently it is exceedingly popular. Expect plenty of company in the summer, especially on weekends. The best time to visit is midweek to avoid the legendary crowds. Be aware that snow can sometimes linger at Snowgrass Flat through late July.
Snowgrass Trail #96 starts at the signboard where you'll need to fill out a free self-issue wilderness permit. After a tenth of a mile reach a junction with the horse trail from the Berry Patch Trailhead and stay straight. After starting off fairly level the trail begins a gradual descent down to Goat Creek, which you'll cross on a sturdy footbridge at 1.9 miles. There is a campsite on the other side of the creek and the area can be confusing. The trail continues on the left.
After 2.6 miles the trail finally starts gaining some elevation. Several switchbacks get you close to Snowgrass Creek. After 3.9 miles reach a junction with Bypass Trail #97 on the right, which will be your return route. Stay to the left on #96.
At 4.7 miles reach a junction with Lily Basin Trail #86 on the left, which heads to Goat Lake 2.3 miles away. (See Goat Lake Loop Hike.) A user trail to the right leads to a campsite. You will stay straight. At this point you will start seeing the wildflowers that this area is so famous for. You will also start seeing numerous user trails to the left and right leading to campsites. If you are camping here remember to practice Leave No Trace. Only pitch your tent on previously-established sites and never on top of the fragile meadow plants.
The trail climbs upwards, heading east towards the PCT. You will see the Lily Basin Trail below you on the left heading north. Flowers are in abundance alongside the trail in August, and as you climb and emerge from the trees you are surrounded by wildflower meadows. The trail makes a few switchbacks, passing more campsites in the trees, then reaches the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail at 5.4 miles.
This is a glorious spot in late summer, with the wildflower meadows of Snowgrass Flat spread out before you and the Goat Rocks rising up to the east. Mt. Adams is visible to the south and Mt. St. Helens to the west. Wildflowers that bloom here include paintbrush, bistort, heather, lousewort, western pasque flower, gentian, beargrass, valerian, monkshood, arnica, asters, partridge foot, and pearly everlasting. The term "snowgrass" is a nickname for tussock, which does not grow here. It was used by early stockmen, who may have mistaken beargrass or the western pasque flower seed heads for tussock.
Expect plenty of company around here as PCT hikers, backpackers, and day hikers pass through. Turn right on the PCT here for the return trip, but you might consider wandering to the left on the PCT for a bit to enjoy the meadows and the views. (You will also find more trailside campsites that way.) You can also add on a trip to the top of Old Snowy (see "Extending Your Hike" below).
From the junction head south. In about 0.3 mile you'll hear water to your right, which is the sound of springs gushing from the ground. This is the head of Snowgrass Creek and a good source of water if you're staying the night at Snowgrass Flat.
The trail descends, passing through more meadows and gradually re-entering the trees as you lose elevation. Approximately one mile from the last junction, reach a large rock cairn marking the junction with the Bypass Trail. The PCT continues to the left but you will turn right to head back to your car. 0.8 miles from the junction the trail crosses Snowgrass Creek. There is no bridge, but there are usually logs and rocks available to cross the creek. Several campsites are available here.
Shortly after that you'll be back at the Snowgrass Flat Trail - Bypass Trail junction you passed earlier, completing the lollipop loop portion of your hike. Turn left for the 3.9 miles back to your car.
Extending Your Hike
You can add on a side trip to the summit of Old Snowy by turning left (north) at the Snowgrass Flat Trail - PCT junction. The trail climbs north for 1.8 miles before reaching a rocky saddle with a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier to the north and the valley of Upper Lake Creek below you. You can make this your turnaround point, or you can turn right off the PCT to head up Old Snowy. The well-defined trai eventually becomes more of a route as you hike up the rocky spine of the mountain. The hiking is steep but straightforward until just below the summit where there is some brief class 2 scrambling. From the summit you can see Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt Rainier on a clear day, plus numerous other peaks up and down the Cascades.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- NW Forest Pass required.
Maps
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Snowgrass Flat
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Snowgrass Flat
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hiking Mount Adams and Goat Rocks by Tami Asars
- 100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades & Olympics by Ira Spring & Harvey Manning
- One Night Wilderness: Portland by Becky Ohlsen & Douglas Lorain