A spectacular backcountry lake-one of the largest in the area-awaits those who walk this way. Once the site of a bustling mining operation, complete with company town and lakeside hotel, Goat Lake boasts plenty of history along with its fine views. Waterfalls too! So grand is Goat that the Washington Department of Transportation chose it to grace its official road maps in the early 1990s. But you can't drive there, so millions of map admirers never got any closer than a dusty road. You, however, are on your way.

From the noisy trailhead thanks to roaring Elliott Creek, two trails heading for Goat Lake diverge. The lower trail offers a slightly shorter more interesting route along the creek and through old growth than the upper trail, which follows an old logging road lined with alders. The upper trail, however, is easier to travel and offers some nice views. The lower trail is prone to slides. The upper trail is the safer bet.

Follow this good, at times slightly rocky, path as it moderately gains elevation. In 1 mile (elev. 2200 ft), the Chokwich Creek Trail takes off left to reach the Bedal Creek Trail in 2.5 miles. Continue to the right through thinning forest with good glimpses of the Elliott Creek valley and out to Sheep Mountain. Cross numerous cascading streams and at about 3 miles begin a slight descent, meeting up with the lower trail at 3.5 miles (elev. 2650 ft). The old logging road the trail has been using soon ends, and you enter a cool, mature forest of humongous cedars.

At 4.5 miles cross a braided stream and enter the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. The trail now climbs, hugging a high bank of Elliott Creek and heading along a washed-out streambed. Plenty of notched cedar stumps stand testament to the human activity that once flourished in this area. Where the trail makes a sharp left turn, look right to see cedar puncheon (planking) of the original wagon road that serviced the area. The old mining town was located across the creek from this spot. Nothing remains of the bridge, however, so exploring the townsite may not be feasible.

Continue up the trail to explore Goat Lake. As you near the lake, magnificent McIntosh Falls forces you to take a break. After marveling at the cascading waters, reach the lake. Pass the camping area and head straight for the day-use area located just beyond a brushy meadow. Cast your eyes across the rippling waters to snow-capped Cadet Peak hovering above. A primitive path continues a short way along the lake's eastern shore, offering better views of that prominent peak that lured more than its fair share of past fortune seekers.