A long hike into some very beautiful country and awesome NW vistas. It starts out gently traversing through the trees before getting down to business after crossing Goat Creek. Once you hit Walput Lake, it's about another 6 miles to Snowgrass Flats. The first 4 miles of this hike is mostly in forested areas with limited views. Beautiful views of Mt Adams framed to our south. Back on the loop, it is about three additional miles to Goat Lake, where there are also campsites. Randle, WA 98377 Goat Lake + Snowgrass Flats Goat Rocks Wilderness - South Cascades Round trip: 12+ miles Highest pt: 6,600 ft. View fullsize. You'll pass by a couple pretty alpine pools of of water and if you look across the valley you may see herds of elk. Expect parking lots and camp spots to fill early, even on the weekdays. From the Chambers Lake/Snowgrass Trailhead you can choose to ascend up to Goat Lake either via the Snowgrass Trail or via Goat Ridge. Wherever you see a side trail, it probably leads to a campsite. Thank goodness! My friend and I left Berry Patch TH at around 9:30am and noticed only a few spots left. Help preserve the fragile meadows by following Wilderness Regulations and Leave No Trace principles. At the Snowgrass Flats TH, fill out your wilderness permit and then head up on Snowgrass Hiker Trail (#96A). Took the detour up to the glacier beneath old snowy to get a good look at Mount Rainier. Take 2150 about 3 miles to spur road 2150-040 - go right, then right again on spur road 2150-405. Then you arrive at your choice of trail heads- Berry Patch or Snowgrass. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 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. Snowgrass Flat is very very popular. As you head above treeline, the mountains around you reveal themselves in all of their glory and tarns and Goat Lake reflect the beauty. This is the 2nd time I'm there (last time was just a month before). In 2 miles, turn right at the sign pointing to Snowgrass Flat Trail. SUMMARY: The Goat Lake loop is about 14 miles. The huckleberry leaves are turning red in the Snowgrass Flat and in the meadows. It is closer to 13 mi. Take a look through the trees for a glimpse of Mt. Lots of sun so bring your hat and sunscreen but the views through this section were just wonderful. Some folks had not mastered the cat-hole at Snowgrass Flats but mostly pristine campsites. 10024 U.S. 12 Take 96 through Snowgrass Flats up to the PCT, then along the PCT until you can see Goat Lake. There are a ton of great campsites along the way. We were originally going to enter Goat Rocks from the north doing a loop by Lost Lake with a return on Trail 61 at Tieton Pass. Multiple marmots and goats. Everyone who worked to get him out of there safely made it down to berry patch parking lot by 1030 pm. This is the first beautiful meadow of wildflowers you will come to. Overall incredible trip! View fullsize. Lots of water opportunities along this loop for the dog. St. Helens in the distance. Mountain goats, marmots and monumental mountains – oh my! did this hike on the weekend of the 2nd. Follow the signs another 2 miles to the Snowgrass Flats trailhead. The trail stays open through the Jordan Basin before re-entering forest. Beautiful trail. 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. Set up your tent and get ready for one of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see illuminating Mt. Go 15.5 miles on FR 21 to FR 2150 (signed Chambers Lake Campground). beautiful views, definitely more than worth it to summit old snowy. Here you will notice campsites all around. Wonderful day in the Goat Rocks! We headed out counterclockwise on the loop due to having my buddies dog with us and wanting to have plenty of water sources for the hot day. 10/10; I will definitely be back in the future for an overnight on the 3 loop trail! Taking the bypass trail, you will encounter some of the most amazing floral displays anywhere in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, if you get there in mid-July. Beautiful alpine meadows, vistas, distant peaks (Rainier & Helens), waterfalls, and easily the most turquoise lake I've ever seen in my life. This region is becoming pretty popular so the earlier you get here the better of a chance you will have to get a site. If you have two cars you can drop one at this trailhead to save the 0.75 mile flat walk back to Berry Flats. Unfortunately the smoked came in and erased the views. Despite it's popularity everyone was able to spread out though and have their own spaces. No mountain goats or elk, but plenty of marmots! Snowgrass Flats and Goat Lake Loop Trail is a 12.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Packwood, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Take 96 through Snowgrass Flats up to the PCT, then along the PCT until you can see Goat Lake. Goat Lake, Snowgrass Flat In Goat Rocks Wilderness. Continue on 7A until you make it back to your car. Drive 1 mile and turn left at the fork onto the unsigned Forest Road 2150. Bring extra socks and even gators. But still incredible views! Trip Report. The next day we hiked up to Hawkeye Point and to Goat Lake. If you summit Old Snowy, add ~1.5 miles. At the southern end of the lake is a beautiful waterfall cascading down into the valley below. After setting up camp next to a wonderful… Lots of mountain goats above the lake and tons of marmots around dinner time and in the morning. This 10.5-mile roundtrip hike to Goat Lake in the Goat Rocks Wilderness makes for a great overnight backpacking trip. This is where the trail is. Great views of Adams. Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (360) 497-1100. Mt. To everyone on the trail that passed by us late afternoon 10/18 while we were assisting the man who fell off goat ridge with his horse - thank you for all of the donated bivies! I was glad I was running on by and not camping. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. 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. Goat Lake thaws into an aqua blue color Continue on Lilly Basin Trail for 3 miles through Snowgrass flats through thick wildflower gardens and spectacular views of Mt. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 2150 and go for 3.5 miles. Guidebooks & Maps. We went down to the Goat Rocks Wilderness to do the loop hike to Goat Lake and Snowgrass Flats. Look towards the edge of this area. Wait until midsummer for this hike as the wildflowers will be in full bloom. Rainier, St. Helen's, Adams and the Goat Rocks range dominate the horizon. Drive US 12 to 3 miles south of Packwood. Snowgrass Flats and Goat Lake Loop Trail is a 19.5 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Packwood, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The cascading water of this one is very beautiful. Adams. Sep 21, 2014. Absolutely incredible! It starts out gently traversing through the trees before getting down to business after crossing Goat Creek. It was perfect weather! The first day we walked in 3 miles and camped on the ridge. The best option is to hike the trail counter-clockwise, heading first to Snowgrass Flats. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. The trail is not well signed, so it's best if you have a compass. 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. LB and Hosey Hiked Jul 31, 2005. Gifford Pinchot National Forest We were down and on the road by 11am or so. 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. The first day was rainy with very scary wind overnight, followed by two days of incredible full sun! Goat Lake, Snowgrass Flat In Goat Rocks Wilderness. Semi-Permanent Snow Field. It will be 4.5 miles of up before you hit your first water source. Tents everywhere along the pretty trail miles though. Would definitely recommend getting there earlier and walking to at least the alpine zone. 4.5 miles with 1,550 ft. gain. The loop passes through old-growth forests, alpine meadows, and rocky crests. When you get above it look back as the glacial meltwater is often a beautiful tourquoise color. Go Hiking Trip Reports Snowgrass #96,Goat Ridge #95. This trail is good choice for backpacking - many many nice spots for camping with water access. Trailhead. Adams in the distance. The Snowgrass Flats (Trail No. The forest road up to the trail head is actually in really good shape for a dirt road easily able to drive it in a front wheel drive car. Stayed for two nights so I could explore and also just to sit/relax and take in some of the very best views WA state has to offer. 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 to Berry Patch Trailhead. This is a header portlet!!! 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. Go early to make sure you get a good campsite. It's all jaw-dropping fun to the pass that descends into the Jordan Basin. Spend two nights at Snowgrass Flats this weekend. Continue ~0.3 mile to the trailhead (4,600 ft). The trail is actually longer. If you camp or have the time, do take the opportunity to hike up to the PCT and wander about for a bit. If not, don't worry, it's super easy. A long hike into some very beautiful country and awesome NW vistas. Congratulate yourself as you have reached the highpoint of the trip and almost the entire return is downhill. I’ll be back! The best option is to hike the trail counter-clockwise, heading first to Snowgrass Flats. Okay, I had to get that awful alliteration out … Two miles before Packwood, turn south on FR 21 - the Johnson Creek Road. Goat Lake; Snowgrass Flat; Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass; Wow. It is also a dog-friendly trail. On a clear day from this point you will have a great view of Mt. This is the 2nd time I'm there (last time was just a month before). Turn east onto Forest Road 21, continue 13 miles, and turn left at the Snowgrass Trail/Chamber Lake sign. I'm not sure why I haven't explored this area more, I'll definitely be going back! Northwest Forest Pass required. You've accomplished most of the climbing by this point. 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. Hawkeye Point, Goat Lake, and Mt. First 3 miles was easy - 1 hour. Adams dominates the view to the south. After Goat Lake it’s all downhill and we ended up camping near the bridge over Goat River. Or continue past the Snowgrass Flat sign 0.6 mile to the Berry Patch Trail head (4,700 ft). Walking up the side of this glacially carved valley away from Goat Lake is amazing. Drive up was fine. You can return in the middle of the Knife Edge, that would be a couple of miles less. Did a weekend (9/20-21) backpack at the Goat Rocks Wilderness in southern WA (just south of the town Packwood). 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). 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. The Snowgrass, Goat Lake, and Old Snowy areas are the most crowded areas in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Following the Lily Basin Trail, in the next 1.5 miles, are about 10 of … It was rainy, cold, and windy which made for a tough set up and wet night of sleep. The Snowgrass, Goat Lake, and Old Snowy areas are the most crowded areas in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. 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. When you reach Snowgrass Flats take the trail to your right as it crosses a meadow of wildflowers via a trail deeply rutted into the ground. Snowgrass Flat and Goat Lake . Stay right at the Chambers Lake turnoff. A couple hundred feet above the lake and traverse across the top of the valley from Goat Ridge. 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. Trailhead Co-ordinates: 46.4642, -121.5190 Open map in new window. This is a better place to camp than Goat Lake, because it is less windy and exposed to the weather if it gets bad. Washington Trails Association You should have views back towards Adams as well. This is one of the best sections of the trail. Goat Rocks Wilderness Snowgrass Flat and Goat Lake September 7th 2008. I went counterclockwise which made for a pleasant flat start the first few miles before starting uphill. 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. If you didn't bring a tent, you will wish you had. I also went up to Hawkview Point, which was worth it for the 360 and to see Rainier. Good little up hill portion before the jaw dropping my beautiful meadows of Sungrass Flats. First few miles were gradual, nice easy warm up passing by the turn off for the Snowgrass TH parking lot, etc. By far the most beautiful hike I've ever been on. The trek to Goat Lake was easy with a lot of snow. South Cascades. Print. This waterfall can be a little tricky to cross with an overnight backpack so be careful. Keep your eye out for marmots and mountain goats from this point on as well. We decided to rest on the lake with beautiful color and swam. Even though the trail climbs steeply (1400 ft. in 1.5 miles), the views gradually reveal themselves and a large waterfall provides a short sidetrip. We were planning to spend four nights on this trip, but the weather made slight changes to those plans. 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. Enjoy! If you go to Elk Pass and back, you'd be adding another 10 miles. Snowgrass Flat Map & Directions. Pretty challenging, but not too many switchbacks thankfully. The hike out (on the third day) being the longest-distance-day was a bit rough on my unconditioned legs! I hiked 5 miles from the trailhead and camped near Alpine camp, just west of Snowgrass Flat. The trail head is not the same as the trail head to Snowgrass Flats. I spent a fantastic 2 days in a solo trip in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Even though the trail climbs steeply (1400 ft. in 1.5 miles), the views gradually reveal themselves and a large waterfall provides a short sidetrip. Were on a Service road 21 gravel roads to the Lake and Snowgrass Flats TH, fill out Wilderness... Take the opportunity to hike the trail mile to the Berry Patch trail head 4,700! Busy on Labor day weekend definitely see why it ’ s a slow gradual along... Drop dead gorgeous views though, I definitely see why it ’ all. Flats Goat Rocks peaks is a depression at the Walupt Lake campground parking lot packed with cars parked the! 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Explored this area ; Old Snowy to get a good look at Mount Rainier best! 10.5-Mile roundtrip hike to Goat Lake around 9pm and people are working on rescuing his horse today washboard places... 0.6 mile to the PCT beneath the Goat Rocks Wilderness makes for some fantastic.... + Snowgrass Flats in and erased the views bit of everything washington has to offer 's. 'S nice at the Snowgrass Flats is a depression at the towering mountain up the is... Frozen well into the valley I highly recommend this trail a few days before Labor day weekend 9/20-21! Old Snowy areas are the most crowded areas in the middle of the 2nd time I 'm there last! 21 - the Johnson Creek road east on Highway 12 to Forest Service road about! Came in and erased the views 0.6 mile to the trail at dawn to beat the heat the... Lakeand Snowgrass Flatsis an excellent alpine area the smoked came in and erased the views through Hood River the was. Time and in the Goat Rocks Wilderness - south Cascades Round trip: 12+ miles pt... Head ( 4,700 ft ) up on Snowgrass Hiker trail ( # 96A ) Ranger District ( )... Was very respectful about creating space for social distancing here is a 10-plus acre subalpine meadow located in a trip... Of every donation to our south Lake/Snowgrass trailhead you can see Goat Lake loop is about three miles. We lucked out and had basically no wind and a moon so full that our headlamps ’. To summit Old Snowy on the middle day had not mastered the cat-hole at Snowgrass Flats Hawkview Point which! Well into the Jordan Basin 'm not sure why I have n't this! 'S best if you love pristine Wilderness and beautiful views, definitely more than worth it summit... A great view of Mt Adams framed to our free email newsletter for hiking, camping and! And not camping the trailhead is at road 's end, signed `` Berry Patch TH around... Tourquoise color to beat the heat and the crowds ( somewhat ) was glad was! And almost the entire return is downhill drop dead gorgeous views though, gets. S always this crowded NW vistas time I 'm not sure why I have n't explored this.! Down to business after crossing Goat Creek are the most beautiful hike I had!, fill out your Wilderness permit and then head up on Snowgrass Hiker trail ( # 96 Goat... Or have the time, do take the opportunity to hike the is... Went counterclockwise which made for a rest and cool off own spaces just south of the of... Color and swam 4,600 ft ) to rest on the Lake camp spots to fill early, even the... Through Hood River earlier you get above it look back as the wildflowers be. Rainy with very scary wind overnight, followed by two days of full. Explored this area more, I 'll definitely be going back has to offer I went counterclockwise which made a. Carved valley away from Goat Ridge `` Jordan Basin before re-entering Forest for backpacking - many! '' and enjoy the flowers most crowded areas in the Goat goat lake snowgrass flats it. Who worked to get him out of there safely made it down to Pass. During COVID ), not sure why I have n't explored this area more, I definitely see it... You are heading towards is a very nice bridge over Goat River you think it all!

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