Started at Berry patch for an overnight at Goat Lake.
Bugs at the trailhead (and about ~1.5 mi on either side of the trailhead) are horrendous. Just expect to get eaten alive, it's one week later and I still have bumps and scars from the mosquito bites.
We went left around the loop and decided to stop short of Goat Lake for the night, setting up camp under the trails to Hawkeye Point / Lilly Basin. Views were amazing. It was a little windy which helped with the bugs, but there were definitely mosquitos and giant flies here, as well.
Next morning found us hiking up to Hawkeye, but stopping because of snow. Glad to have gotten high enough to see all 3 mountains together.
From there we continued through Goat Lake and the Snowgrass flats. So beautiful!
It was a strenuous loop to hike (GPS counted about 16 miles overall, including our short side treks), so I would recommend only for serious backpackers. That said, there are plenty of established camps and streams that make stopping easy. I'll definitely be coming back, hopefully when it's a bit less buggy.
Forest road was in good condition but LONG. In my Jeep I made it back to the main road 30-40 minutes faster than my friends who were driving a sedan.
Comments
Whoops, that's obviously Adams in the sunrise picture... St Helens is just over to the right of the shot, though : )
Posted by:
alxndghall on Jul 17, 2021 11:58 AM
Hello alxndghall,
I am not sure what you mean by "camp at Goat Lake". Camping is prohitibed within 100 feet of that lake as well as all other lakes in the Goat Rocks Wilderness so I am guessing you were taking that into account. I mention this just to be clear to all readers. Looks like awesome views!
Sincerely,
John
Posted by:
John Morrow on Jul 17, 2021 05:09 PM