Arrived at the trailhead around 11 a.m., to find no cars present--amazing, considering it was a partly sunny Sunday of Memorial Day weekend! The trail switchbacks up to the ridge (sometimes steeply), and offers occasional views down to the Bumping River, and the largely snow-free ridge on the other side. The wildflowers are numerous--small meadows and rocky areas are dotted along the trail, allowing for many opportunities to laze in the sunshine. We only hiked about 3 miles up to a rocky high point on the ridge, where we could look in all directions. After this point, the trail descends a bit through the trees, and then ascends to Goat Peak. We were delighted with the rock gardens here, though, so we had lunch and started back down to the car just as rain and a bit of hail fell on us. We were surprised by two things--1) we saw no one else all day (don't think anyone else was on the trail at all) and 2) the trail was dry and completely snow-free up to the ridge. Granted, this was the eastern side of American Ridge, and we could see there was still a lot of snow near the western crest--but from the calls we made to the Forest Service office beforehand, you'd think it was still winter up there. This is a great early season hike--nice to be dry AND get up to some elevation with views.

summited goat peak via trail #959 which switchbacks and traverses towards the American ridge. trail is in great condition, snowline is aproximately 5000 feet. after 3.7 miles trail #958 meets goat creek trail #959, this lands you in a saddle, with the summit being less than a mile. the summit aproach is fairly steep, a good workout. mt. rainier is magnificent, the views are intense.

I know I was just at Mesatchee Creek, it was on the way here. Left my camp at the creek at 9:30 and made my up from 5200' at camp to the intersection with the American Ridge trail at 5800'. Headed off NE on trail 958 in pursuit of the sky. After climbing some more ( what else ) I found myself losing elevation very rapidly and much to my disappointment as I hadn't reached the summit yet. Not to worry, this goes on for about a mile and then reverses itself with a vengance. About the time the trail gives a momentary respite and levels ' out, turn and look over your left shoulder. Rainier is spectacular from this vantage point. Not far up the trail from here I was startled by what I at first thought were horses. I had run headlong into a herd of Mountain Goats. We saw each other at about the same time. They gave me the trail such as it was and skirted around me making their way down the way I had come. I had my camera in hand and was able to get a few shots before, what else, the film ran out. Made the top of the ridge at noon, map shows 6946'. The view from up here must be seen to be appreciated, and I had it all to myself for a little while. I met only one other person the whole day. A girl and her dog happened upon me back at my original campsite at Mesatchee Creek. She decided it was too late to go any further that day and headed back down . I made my way back to the forde (wade) of the American River which I credited with my solitude and headed for home after a long and enjoyable weekend. Oh yeah the trails are in good shape with only patches of snow to be found all the way to the top of the ridge.

Left Climbers Bivouac at 9:30am. Picked a Friday for this climb to assure getting a climbing permit. Weather was outstanding. Monitor Ridge is virtually snow free all the way to the top, but after trying to negotiate the pumice slopes the effort to kick steps in snow seems easy. There is snow and ice to be found most of the way up if thats what you're looking for. Great glissading on the way back down if you don't straddle any rocks. Made the summit at about 2:00 and spent the next hour drinking in the spectacle. Even with the glissades it took about 3 hours to get back down. Good workout, great views.