This was a perfect day for a hike. I got a late start but still made the ridge summit and was overly impressed by the views. First two miles are a burn for the legs but well worth the effort.

Trail is in great shape. I love the pumis that was put down on the trail in the lower areas. There were no slips like you normal get descending a steep trail.. I think it should be required on all trails :)

Got a late start on Friday afternoon to start a three day, two night 20 mile loop starting at the Green River Horse Camp. All of the trails showed signs of being used by horses, some poop and flies, but we never saw an actual horse. The Green River Trail and Vanson Peak trail appear to be lightly used and a little overgrown in some places, but still easy to follow. Camped the first night on the Green River as night was closing in. Trail was dry and fresh water was available from the river

On the second day we trekked up to Vanson Peak using the "easy way" by going past the turn off to Vanson Lake and doubling back to hike a half mile up to the summit. The "easy way" was still quite steep. Though there were multiple small streams crossing the path on the hike up, we barely got the soles of our boots wet in crossing, I imagine the water is much higher earlier in the season. Beyond the Peak there is no water, much to our dismay, so make sure you carry enough to get you to your destination.

Spent our second night at Deadman's lake. Water was clear and warm, perfect for swimming. There were some large flies, I assume because of the horses, but virtually no biting insects! Plenty of lakefront campsites on the sunny side of the lake, we shared the water with 4 other groups after not having seen a soul all day. I assume they came in via the shorter Goat Mountain trail. Still, plenty of space between campsites so they weren't intrusive.

Third day we headed out on the final leg of our journey over the Goat Mountain trail. There's a steep uphill to start right beyond the lake, which was hard on our tired legs, but beyond that it's fairly flat with some amazing views. Huckleberries and strawberries were all ripe along the ridge and wildflowers were in bloom. After hiking along the ridge there is a punishing descent back to the trailhead. First part of the descent is along forested, steep, dirt switchbacks, the final part is quite dusty with loose gravel. I can't imagine hiking up that part of the trail, given how slippery it was. Goat Mountain trail clearly gets significantly more traffic than Green River or Vanson Peak.

If I were to do this hike again I would park my car at the Goat Mountain trailhead parking lot and hike the mile down to the Green River trailhead at the horsecamp at the beginning, rather than at the end when your legs are already shot.

We backpacked for 3 nights/4 days in this area. We started on a Monday and only saw 4 people the entire time.

We started out at the end of FS Road 2750. The first day we hiked to Vanson Lake (about 7 miles) and camped in a nice spot right on the lake. At mile 1, the Leona Falls were spectacular. The trail continues for another mile with gentle ups and downs. At mile 2 is the junction for Vanson Lake. The trail is very lush and green with many gorgeous streams and waterfalls to easily cross. It climbs pretty steadily to the Vanson Lake cutoff. There the trail is about 3/4 mile steeply down to the lake. There are several short cuts before the main trail to the lake. There is a sign for the main trail to the lake which is a much safer grade to get to the lake.

The second day, we hiked 3 miles to Deadmans Lake and camped right on the Lake again in a very nice large spot. This was a perfect spot to bathe and wash clothes as the water was warm. We still had not seen any people so we had the whole lake to ourselves. The trail is up and down the whole way in an open forest on a nice ridge with many views of Mt. Rainier. After we set up camp, we took our daypacks and hiked Goat Mountain Ridge which was the highlight of our trip. Most of the way was open with gentle ups/downs and wildflowers every where. At the top of the ridge, we could see Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, and Mt. St. Helens. We also had a great view of the blast zone from the 1980 eruption of St. Helens. It was spectacular!!

The third day, we hiked 5.5 miles to Tumwater Lake. Most of the hike was a gentle uphill through a thick dry forest with many down trees to navigate over/around. About halfway there, we broke out of the forest onto an open ledge with amazing views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens. Again, the wildflowers were spectacular. The lake was relatively low with only a few patches of snow. It was difficult to find a flat spot for our tent, but we made do on the edge of the lake. There were quite a few mosquitos but they didn't seem to be biting too bad. We went to sleep to the sound of owls and frogs.

The fourth day, we completed our loop back to the trailhead by hiking 6 miles through lush green forests again and many more streams, waterfalls. We had to cross the river twice but it wasn't too deep or wide. After one crossing about 3 miles from the trailhead there were 3 downed trees together that were very difficult to climb over.

Did a short overnight to Deadman Lake. Two women, one 27, one 38, both experienced backpackers, carrying light loads.

First 2.5 miles of trail, as described elsewhere, are pretty steep and painful. The first bit (mile?) of trail is rutted and gravelly, which makes the going particularly hard on the way down, after the legs are already tired from the previous portions of the steep descent. After that, the trail conditions improve -- to fairly nice forest dirt.

The highlight of the trail is the ridge, which has spectacular views of four mountains, and wildflowers right now that made us want to yodel. Beargrass, columbine, lupine, indian paintbrush, tiger lily with as many as 15 flowers on a single stalk, ... and more.

Mosquitos were oppressive, and didn't seem to be significantly slowed down by our applications of "skin so soft" OR REI's "Jungle Juice" 99% DEET. We didn't stop as much as we would have liked on the trail, and decided to hunker in the tent for the evening rather than make a hot dinner.

The lake itself was pleasant, very warm and shallow. We didn't go in because we couldn't bear the thought of stripping down enough for it (bugs) and because we would have felt guilty about washing all our DEET into it. No spectacular views from the lake, and no rocks for jumping in, either -- just forest and a few sandy beaches.

Later, when the stars came out, the bugs went away, through they were back when it warmed up in the morning.