We did an overnight from the Berry Patch trailhead along the Goat Ridge trail and on the Lily Basin Trail to a campsite above Heart Lake. We did not go all the way down to Heart Lake.
The Berry Patch lived up to its namesake with loads of huckleberries in the lower stretches and plenty of low bush blueberries higher up. Plenty of wildflowers were still out at the higher elevations.
We got out early-ish on a Wed. morning, the parking area and the trail were not crowded. We stayed overnight Heart Lake at what seemed to be the sole campsite with flat space and water between the takeoff from the Goat Ridge Trail and the junction of Lily Basin and Angry Mountain trails above Heart Lake. We could see a few parties camped down at Heart Lake, and a band of 3 adult goats and one kid kept watch on us from further above our camp.
Overnight a strong and persistent northeast wind blew in smoke and haze from regional forest fires north of White Pass. We took off early in the morning after only coffee and granola bars and could smell smoke as we hiked up to the high point below the Hawkeye Point. The peaks of St Helens and Rainier were obscured and the whole basin south from Goat Lake towards Mt. Adams was smoke and haze filled, with Adams nowhere in sight. As we dropped into Jordan Basin the area looked like a Motel 6. There were about 8 parties and 25-30 people camped there. Some were unaware or oblivious to a Leave No Trace ethic. Unleashed dogs and campsites immediately adjacent to water sources were specific examples of this lapse.
We descended towards the trailhead and blue skies peaked out above us. At our late morning return to the parking area was full and 8 cars were parked on the road.
This is a fabulous area to hike and it is being loved to death. Help WTA lobby of increased funding for US Forest Service recreational programs. Jordan Basin may benefit from the presence of a composting toilet or a mandate to use blue bags!
Overall it was a great trip.
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