FR road 26 was closed due to construction— I am pretty sure this means that it will not be opened until the federal government opens back up again.

Huge dense ripe huckleberries! I saw 1 or 2 mosquitos. maybe 15 flies. Zero blowdown. Amazing views. Great swimming. Almost no people (4 total for weekend). My 8 year old is a hero hiker but no complaints from him.

The section from goat ridge down to deadman's lake just saw a huge amount of trail work, like maybe the day before based on the brushed out vegetation that hadn't even wilted yet. Huge thank you to whatever group did that!

Side note, I am not sure why WTA lists Northwest Forest Pass required as all sorts of trailheads but it absolutely isn't required here, or Quartz Creek Old Growth or Ryan Lake, etc. How can this site be so accurate on hike and direction details yet outright fabrication about needing a pass when you do not?

This traverse is commonly known as the "Goat Mountain Loop", despite a summit of Goat Mountain not being involved. I've read reports of both clockwise and counter-clockwise routes, I chose the latter, with an overnight at Vanson Lake. 

First thing, please note there are no reliable water sources outside of Deadmans and Vanson lakes between the trailhead and Vanson Peak, so be sure to plan accordingly.

I began late morning on the Goat Mountain trail. The first couple of miles are steep and challenging with a full pack. I reached an opening after gaining 1700 feet of elevation, with incredible views opening up: Loowit, Klickitat, Tahoma, Wy'east. The trail continues on the south side of Goat Mountain ridge, with Loowit gradually disappearing however but the views into the Green River valley below are spectacular. 

Dip down a tad and over the ridge slightly with Goat Mountain looming just ahead. Now on the north side of the ridge, you'll reach the base of the scramble, just before you at a hairpin turn. I've read these West and East peaks are attainable via scramble but that would be day a trip all its own, with a helmet. 

A few miles more of gradual descent and you will arrive at an assortment of user trails that lead you to the shores Deadman's Lake. This is a rather large, shallow and beautiful lake with many ample camp sites and beach access. 

Pushing forward, I began to understand all the talk of bugs. Mosquitos: yes, Black flies: most certainly. Thankfully I packed my trusty head net. The Goat Mountain trail continuing after Deadman's Lake begins ascending quickly as you gradually roll steeply up and down, retaking the ridge all the way to the four-way junction with Vanson Peak, Vanson Lake and Goat Creek trails. This point is a total of 8 miles and 2540 feet of gain from the beginning.  

I veered right at this junction and descended about 0.75 mile to a junction with Vanson Lake trail. Turning left and down to the lake, I notcied four blowdowns, all easily negotiated, however clearing them at a point would be nice. I have a feeling this area gets little attention. I found two main camping areas at Vanson Lake, one being near the end of the trail on the northwest side, flanked by an outlet stream for water filtering. I explored a user trail heading east from here and discovered a larger dispersed area with multiple sites and a quick inlet creek.

After setting up camp, I took the northwestern spur trail up to Vanson Peak. This was about 1.7 miles and roughly 800 feet of gain from my campsite. The entrance connects from the Vanson Lake trail where it junctions with the southwestern leaning Vanson Ridge trail. With little to no cloud cover, I had incredible views of Tahoma, Klickitat and other prominent features for dinner and dessert. 

Heading back down to camp for the night, I was treated to an all-nighter of frog song. That and the bubbling inlet creek made for an easy evening of well deserved rest. Vanson Lake at dusk is a sight to be seen. It is slightly smaller in size in comparison to Deadmans and it is reportedly less buggy. While at this point in my trip it was difficult to tell where it was and wasn't "buggy", I suppose I'd agree.

The following morning I packed up camp and set out to explore Vanson Ridge. This short yet challenging connecter trail really has it all, and an actual ridge with a tremendous view overlooking the Green River Valley. I lost roughly 1400 feet over 3.3 miles, stepping carefully all the way down, crossing many creeks and blowdowns. 

Once I reached the Green River trail, I followed its lush rolling greenery, campsites, big view meadow and mostly constant river for 7.7 miles and 1050 feet. Passing the Horse Camp and up the challenging last half-mile ascent back to the Goat Mountain trailhead, I completed my loop. 

RT 22.4m/4390ft

The road to the TH was in great shape and was paved most of the way. There is about a 2.5 mile section just as you turn onto the FS road that is gravel but from then on it is mostly paved except for occasional short gravel patches and the last quarter mile or so to the TH. 

We hiked clockwise starting on the Green River trail camping the first night at the second camping area along the Green River. There were many nice views up to surrounding mountains from the Green River trail. The size of the old grown trees further down the trail were amazing.

Then we hiked up the Vanson Ridge trail. The tread was in excellent shape and the incline was never very steep. However, it was uphill for almost 3 hours and 3,000 feet! We managed 2.2 mph up the hill to Deadman's Lake. Our Gaia clocked 9 miles. Deadman's Lake had 3 other parties already camped there when we arrived around 2:30 pm on a Saturday. We still go a nice spot by the lake and there were still open campsites. It was very windy until about dusk. We heard Barred Owls overnight. At one point they seemed almost directly above us. 

We hiked the 5.6 miles back to the TH. The views from the ridge along Goat Mtn. were fantastic. It was unbelievable getting back to a parking lot with only 5 other cars parked. We're used to hundreds. We encountered only a few other people on the trail. Maybe less than 15 in 3 days! The solitude was amazing. 

Drive

The drive was uneventful. The road is mainly paved; only the last half mile is gravel, although the pavement is rough. Watch out for the dips.

On the trail

I did a counter-clockwise loop starting from Goat Mountain Trailhead on Rd 26-12. If I were to do it again, I think I would start from the Green River Horse Camp as it would even out the mileage a bit and make it so that you don't end a long day with a short but strenuous uphill.

Some earlier reports mention many down trees on the trail, which is no longer the case, and it has been logged out. I only walked around a single tree on the spur trail leading to Vanson Lake, which would be easily surmountable by either a bike or a horse.

Berries were ripe or ripening. Flowers were blooming but past prime. The amount of bear grass would be a grand spectacle in full bloom.

The bugs at the lake were a minor nuisance but nothing that kept me holed up in my tent.

And while there were two other parties camped at Deadmans Lake, I saw nary a soul while on the trail.

This trip's highlight was spotting an owl alongside the trail. The view of the surrounding volcanoes from the ridge was grand. I love big trees, and the short section of old-growth forest did not disappoint. Both lakes were teaming with fish and salamanders!