This gorgeous hike has been on my wish-list for a while now, so I was so glad to have the opportunity to go this weekend!
About 45 minutes of road leading up to the trailhead is washboard with scattered potholes. I didn't feel high clearance was necessary, we just took it nice and slow. We arrived at the trailhead around 11am on Saturday morning. The Berry Patch parking lot was full as well as many cars lined up parked along the side of the road, so we parked at the Snowgrass Flats Trailhead (still quite full but we got a spot along the road opposite of the parking spaces). Both trailheads had restrooms but the Snowgrass one was a little better.
We had exceptional weather that gave us all the classic Goat Lake views we were hoping for. We went counter-clockwise towards Snowgrass Flats. The first 4.5 miles or so is wooded, longer than I expected, but by the time the trees started to clear we gasped at how gorgeous the view was. The fall colors are really starting to come in as yellow and dark red are starting to show. We saw multiple types of ripe huckleberries and blueberries along both the forested and meadow portions of the trail. Don't forget to keep turning around to look at Mt. Adams once you've cleared the trees!
At about 5.7 miles there is a decent sized creek that we stopped and refilled our water bottles at. I mistakenly drank about 4 oz unfiltered (Rookie move I didn't make sure my filter was facing the right direction) but I am pleased to say I didn't suffer the consequences, thank goodness!
There are many places to camp along this trail but we were determined to make it all the way to the lake and try our luck there.
As you travel through this exposed portion of the trail you can see the bowl ahead where you know the lake lies, but it doesn't treat you to its teal blue waters until you have only just reached it! Pikas peep as you pass through sections of talus. As we approached the lake we noticed at least 3 marmots hanging out on the rocks just off the trail, watching the hikers come in. There were so many more all around the lake that were whistling to each other all evening and into the night.
When you get to the lake you can finally see the unbelievably blue water. It's hard to capture how true the color is, and then to even believe it!
With out late arrival to the lake around 4:30 or so, the best spots were certainly already taken but there were still a few left. We picked a spot closer to the lake that didn't have as much foot traffic as others but less views of the basin and Adams. We manage to barely squeeze in my 2-person tent and her tarp-bivy setup.
It went from sweaty and hot to chilly very quickly as the sun set over the ridge. We set up camp and wandered around and enjoyed the view. The sights of Adams are priceless as the sun sets, and I envy those who had spots higher up or nearer to the edge.
The weather turned overnight and when we woke in the morning it was 39 degrees, rainy, and foggy, though not QUITE as windy as we thought it might get. Where we once could see the lake from our campsite, it was now almost completely obscured by fog. We ate breakfast in one of our tents and packed up in the rain before heading back, continuing counter-clockwise towards Goat Ridge.
The trail goes up for a little ways more before heading down the opposite ridge. I imagine in nice weather this section also has incredible views. There were lots of blueberries on this portion as well, and we treated ourselves as we hiked. There were also many tiny streams on this side, but we were wondering if they had been flowing the previous day or if they were only flowing due to the rain. We continued to hear little Pika Peeps even in the rain, and even saw a Ptarmigan-like bird huddled underneath a tree (and apparently one flew across the trail right as I turned and face the opposite way, darn it!) There were many more campsites along this portion of the trails, and we wished we knew that their views were like on a clear day.
When we finally reached the trees again the rain and temperatures started to relent. There were a few trees over the trail but most have a footpath routed around them and the only one I actually climbed over was easy enough.
On our way home we stopped at Packwood Brewing Co for a bite to eat - the Steak Quesadilla I got wasn't the greasy cheeseburger I had been dreaming of but it sure did hit the spot anyway! Yum!
We clocked 13.67 miles between both days. Garmin link is below
More pictures can be seen here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gHGUxdd43owBRS2fA
I am doing the 52 hike challenge with my kids this year and, although they didn't join me on this one, but these are our current stats on week 38 for those who have been following:
Me: 48
David(5): 43
Holly(3): 37
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