Finally got to the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area. We started at Berry Patch trailhead, and the berry patch did not live up to the hype at all. The berries were either gone or never were there to begin with.

We encountered several hunters on the trail, and were happy we were wearing bright orange and red. The trail was in good condition and looked like it has had some nice work done over the last couple seasons. WTA?

We got some peekaboo views of Mt. Adams from time to time and meandered finally to the flats and junction with the bypass trail (to the PCT). There is one nice looking potential campsite here, but don't be deceived. Go down the bypass about 10-15 minutes to reach a wooded heaven complete with beautiful streambeds and tall trees and meadows. There is one spot right before the stream and a second site they seem to be (unsuccessfully) trying to decomission by closing the paths in. It looks like those paths may lead further up the hill to other decommissioned spots or the waterfall, but I didn't want to explore to find out.

Beyond the first two spots and biggest stream are another small rivulet of water and to the left two spacious and well appointed wilderness campsites, one in the open, one under the trees. A beautiful waterfall is just up the hill, albeit across a marshy area that should probably be left undisturbed. If you pass by these also on the bypass trail, there is another campsite around the next bend.

The flats themselves are lovely, the air is delightful, the views less than we hoped for except for the several Mt. Adams sightings. Unfortunately, we did not leave ourselves a lot of time for exploring so did not happen upon any wildlife, although we heard tales of bears, goats and saw a hunter extracting the antlered head of some poor creature on his back.

Next morning I explored further on the bypass trail and scrambled up a rock field to get my one and only view of any of the spires of the Goat Rocks themselves. Then I went back and retrieved my companion and made haste for the town.

Unfortunately, our camping experienced was marred by the behavior of our neighbors in the campsite. They decided to disobey the signs that closed the campsite by the first stream, and set up their tent. They also started a fire in the fire pit, which I suppose under ordinary circumstances is allowed in this wilderness area. However, there were wildfires throughout central and eastern WA and Gov. Gregoire had just issued a burn ban for east of the crest of the Cascades. The town of Packwood had a sign saying burn ban in effect at the fire station. But this dude decided to drag one of the large logs that had been set up as sitting area INTO the firepit and started burning it. Then, he and his girlfriend went to bed (or whatever) in their tent.

The fire appeared to go out, but it was smouldering and the smoke was blowing directly into our site across the creek. So I shone my light at the campfire through the smoke. We couldn't see anyone, so we went up further. No one attending the fire. The fire on the log reignited. No one was attending the fire. The log that was burning was sticking out of the firepit. It was on top of another log. That second log was touching a 3rd log, which led right into the dry underbrush.

You can see where this is going right? A reasonable, responsible camper would make sure that someone in the other campsite was awake and was (capable of) assuming responsibility for the fire. We shone our flashlights on the tent, trying to get their attention. We shouted hello a couple times. No response. So we eventually started walking away when we were greeted with sneering shouts of several profanities and insults. Taunting. This guy clearly thought he was entitled to do whatever he wanted, and he also thought he wasn't going to be challenged.

Fortunately, I brought my friend the Sasquatch with me as backup. So we went over to have a friendly chat with our neighbor up close. Perhaps he would be more reasonable in person, you know? We're not some anonymous campers he can yell at in the dark. But no. What occured was very likely the worst outdoor confrontation I have ever had in my 30+ years of camping. This insane, most likely intoxicated man began screaming at me about his liberties and how he comes up there to get away from people like me. And how I was an idiot and he was entitled to have his fire, can't I read the signs. And began screaming at me to get the f out of his campsite. Blah blah blah. I said no, I wasn't leaving, that his fire was not safe and there were forest fires in the area. Blah blah blah, more curses, screaming at the top of his lungs at me, while I tried to calmly reply that the fire was all we cared about. His girlfriend or whatever she was finally came out of the tent and said that they would make sure to put out the fire. We thanked her and left.

The next day the campers from the other site said they were worried they were going to have to deal with dead bodies in the morning. Wow, talk about harsh your mellow. Word to the wise, there are some nuts out in our wilderness areas. Be careful.