This is the 2nd time I'm there (last time was just a month before). Two miles before Packwood, turn south on FR 21 - the Johnson Creek Road. Take lots of photos! Obtaining an overnight camping spot at Goat Lake is a gamble based on its popularity, however, and you'll find a lot more backcountry campsite options along the Pacific Crest Trail, which is best directly accessed via the Snowgrass Trail. Lots of sun so bring your hat and sunscreen but the views through this section were just wonderful. The elevation gain is gentle and gradual, the maintained path is well-signed, and … Walking up the side of this glacially carved valley away from Goat Lake is amazing. The Snowgrass Flats (Trail No. South Cascades -- Goat Rocks. The snow has melted, and it is the perfect time to experience the magic of the Goat Rocks Wilderness. If you go to Elk Pass and back, you'd be adding another 10 miles. Looped counter clockwise and attempted to summit Old Snowy on the middle day. Was wonderful day, a lot of birds around. Follow the signs to Berry Patch Trailhead. It starts out gently traversing through the trees before getting down to business after crossing Goat Creek. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 2150 and go for 3.5 miles. Expect parking lots and camp spots to fill early, even on the weekdays. Look at the other side of the valley. Bring extra socks and even gators. Insanely busy on Labor Day weekend (during COVID), not sure if it’s always this crowded. Trailhead Co-ordinates: 46.4642, -121.5190 Open map in new window. A long hike into some very beautiful country and awesome NW vistas. From the town of Randle drive 14 miles east on Highway 12 to Forest Service Road 21. In 2 miles, turn right at the sign pointing to Snowgrass Flat Trail. At the trailhead area for the Goat Ridge Trail, take the side trail one-half mile back to the Snowgrass Flats trailhead to complete the loop. Go 15.5 miles on FR 21 to FR 2150 (signed Chambers Lake Campground). This is one of the best sections of the trail. In today's video, I bring you along with me on one of the more beautiful hikes I have done. The towering mountain up the right is Hawkeye Point. Despite it's popularity everyone was able to spread out though and have their own spaces. The trip to Goat Lake starts at the Walupt Lake campground parking lot. This trail is very popular so if you want a good spot to camp I highly suggest going early in the morning and getting started on your way up to Goat Lake. The trek to Goat Lake was easy with a lot of snow. 4.5 miles with 1,550 ft. gain. The loop passes through old-growth forests, alpine meadows, and rocky crests. Drive US 12 to 3 miles south of Packwood. I ran this with my dog, hit the trail at dawn to beat the heat and the crowds (somewhat). The trail itself was lovely. Snowgrass Flat and Goat Lake . A couple hundred feet above the lake and traverse across the top of the valley from Goat Ridge. 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. Follow the signs carefully when you park. After Goat Lake it’s all downhill and we ended up camping near the bridge over Goat River. It was rainy, cold, and windy which made for a tough set up and wet night of sleep. This region is becoming pretty popular so the earlier you get here the better of a chance you will have to get a site. You can return in the middle of the Knife Edge, that would be a couple of miles less. Beautiful trail. Goat Lake is a charming alpine lake that can be accessed via the Goat Rocks Trail #95 (going clockwise) or the Snowgrass Flats Trail #96 (going counter-clockwise). Here you will notice campsites all around. I’ll be back! Follow the signs another 2 miles to the Snowgrass Flats trailhead. Road access wasn’t bad. Tel: 360.497.1100. Help preserve the fragile meadows by following Wilderness Regulations and Leave No Trace principles. This is a better place to camp than Goat Lake, because it is less windy and exposed to the weather if it gets bad. Was lucky enough to also get to see two families of Mountain Goats as well one group with babies! And no wind. Hiking along the PCT beneath the Goat Rocks peaks is a real treat. Gifford Pinchot National Forest Overall the trail was in good condition, a good amount of snow at this time of year, lots of good campsites, and lots of streams to fill water bottles at. This 10.5-mile roundtrip hike to Goat Lake in the Goat Rocks Wilderness makes for a great overnight backpacking trip. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. I went counterclockwise which made for a pleasant flat start the first few miles before starting uphill. I was glad I was running on by and not camping. LB and Hosey Hiked Jul 31, 2005. See weather forecast. Between Goat Lakeand Snowgrass Flatsis an excellent alpine area. Everyone who worked to get him out of there safely made it down to berry patch parking lot by 1030 pm. After the crappy weather during Labor Day weekend this year, and after sitting around the house all day Saturday feeling sorry for myself because I gave up on an attempt to hike the Loowit Trail around Mt St Helens, I got up Sunday and drove myself down to the Goat Rocks for a Snowgrass Flat / Goat Lake loop day hike. Snowgrass Flat. Saw 5 other camps that stayed the night but there was plenty of room for everyone and honestly we didn’t hear or see folks much once evening had hit the night before. Take your time walking up into this glacial cirque called "Jordan Basin" and enjoy the flowers. Expect parking lots and camp spots to fill early, even on the weekdays. Lots of mountain goats above the lake and tons of marmots around dinner time and in the morning. On a clear day from this point you will have a great view of Mt. After setting up camp next to a wonderful… Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. (the usual like pot holes and wash boarding in areas). Bring a layer up though, it gets windy on the ridge. You'll notice that what you are heading towards is a depression at the top of the valley. Did a weekend (9/20-21) backpack at the Goat Rocks Wilderness in southern WA (just south of the town Packwood). Northwest Forest Pass required. Adams dominates the view to the south. Lots of water opportunities along this loop for the dog. The huckleberry leaves are turning red in the Snowgrass Flat and in the meadows. It’s about a 15-mile drive up gravel roads to the trail head, washboard in places. The trail is actually longer. Hiking to Snowgrass Flats is like the first chapter in a compelling book that is so good you don’t want it to end and once you get to Snowgrass Flats you won’t want to leave. Congratulate yourself as you have reached the highpoint of the trip and almost the entire return is downhill. Adams. It offers stunning views of … Location: South Cascades - Goat RocksDistance: 8 miles to the Flats; 13 mile loop tripElevation: Flats - 1200 ft. gain to 5830; Loop - 1900 ft. to 6500Maps: USFS Goat Rocks Wilderness; Green Trails #335 Walupt Lake, #303 White Pass, #302 Packwood, #334 Blue Lake. It is closer to 13 mi. This is a header portlet!!! You will start on the Walupt Lake Trail (#101) and a short distance from the campground, take Trail #98 (Nannie Ridge) as it branches off and climbs steeply northeast onto an open, scenic ridge top. Take 96 through Snowgrass Flats up to the PCT, then along the PCT until you can see Goat Lake. If your lucky and there is a breeze you won't be pestered by bugs but if it has been wet or it is early spring you may want to leave this low point of the valley and start heading uphill towards Snowgrass Flats. Take 2150 about 3 miles to spur road 2150-040 - go right, then right again on spur road 2150-405. If you love pristine wilderness and beautiful views of major mountains and broad green meadows, this hike is for you. Spend two nights at Snowgrass Flats this weekend. Here is a nice stream crossing where you can stop for a rest and cool off. If you camp or have the time, do take the opportunity to hike up to the PCT and wander about for a bit. beautiful views, definitely more than worth it to summit old snowy. At about 4 miles, just before entering Snowgrass Flats, bypass Trail #97 heads east as an alternate route allowing the hiker to do a loop hike. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 The trailhead is at road's end, signed "Berry Patch." The first day was rainy with very scary wind overnight, followed by two days of incredible full sun! Just above you a couple hundred feet is goat lake which is frozen well into the summer most years. You've accomplished most of the climbing by this point. Adams in the distance. Wait until midsummer for this hike as the wildflowers will be in full bloom. Drive up was fine. Seattle, WA 98104. Take a look through the trees for a glimpse of Mt. The next day we hiked up to Hawkeye Point and to Goat Lake. From Randle, drive east on Hwy 12. At the Snowgrass Flats TH, fill out your wilderness permit and then head up on Snowgrass Hiker Trail (#96A). Once you hit Walput Lake, it's about another 6 miles to Snowgrass Flats. Mountain goats, marmots and monumental mountains – oh my! 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. We were down and on the road by 11am or so. Goat Lake; Snowgrass Flat; Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass; Wow. Turn right onto FS 21 and drive about 20 miles on the dirt road (all wheel drive is nice here). The Snowgrass, Goat Lake, and Old Snowy areas are the most crowded areas in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. From there it’s a slow gradual climb along the meadows and the valley wall to the lake. The trail is not well signed, so it's best if you have a compass. Some folks had not mastered the cat-hole at Snowgrass Flats but mostly pristine campsites. did this hike on the weekend of the 2nd. Great views of Adams. You'll head on trail 7A back to Snowgrass and while on the trail, you'll have a 2-3 foot deep river which you'll have to ford. A long hike into some very beautiful country and awesome NW vistas. Randle, WA 98377 From the Chambers Lake/Snowgrass Trailhead you can choose to ascend up to Goat Lake either via the Snowgrass Trail or via Goat Ridge. I highly recommend this trail it's in great shape. But still incredible views! You should have views back towards Adams as well. The hike out (on the third day) being the longest-distance-day was a bit rough on my unconditioned legs! A good alternate hike would be to continue on the Snowgrass Trail, up to the PCT, and then north to Old Snowy and PCT Summit, which is the highest section of the PCT in Washington. Mt. Share. 10/10; I will definitely be back in the future for an overnight on the 3 loop trail! My girlfriend and I planned a two night backpack through this area. Trip Report. This hike to Goat Lake via Goat Ridge follows Trail #95 from the Trail Head on Forest Road #2150.040 near what is referred to as the Berry Patch. View fullsize. Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (360) 497-1100. There is a large rock directly in the middle of the road a few miles in from where you turn off just past Packwood FSR 21 plenty of room both sides around it though. 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