Lake Christine, Puyallup & Gobblers Knob — Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

I set out leading a group of 7 with a goal of Gobbler's Knob via Lake Catherine, to Puyallup Trail via Goat Lake to ridge between Gobbler's Knob and Mt. Wow, and then up to the lookout. This route is described in Washington Hiking by Scott Leonard, Foghorn Outdoor's series. The roads upon leaving highway 706 are poorly marked and rough. FS Road 59 is only marked on a small stake visible after turning onto the road. No sign on the highway. The road is a couple hundred yards toward Elbe from the Copper Creek Cafe. At 4.5 mis as described road 5920 takes off from the right, about a 110 degree turn. There is no sign, but a small post invisible from FS 59 confirms it is FS 5929. Still rough, but narrower, with bushes nearly touching both sides of vehicle in places. There is a turnaround at the end and a trail sign, register box. We left the car at 10:30. Trail is good, easily followed, no obstructions to Lake Catherine and .5 mi beyond where an unmarked T occurs. Both choices are visibly travelled and maintained, but no signs. A 2003 Nat Geographic series topo of Mt Rainier NP including detail of this area just west of the park does not show the more heavily used left branch. We followed the left fork for about 10 min because of its larger tread, but it was heading up a ridge toward a promontory, while the correct trail was supposed to cross a saddle and descend. We retreated to the right branch and it was correct. A while later we came to the junction with the Puyallup Trail which was the source of most of the people we later encountered. A further ascent and descent brought us to Goat Lake. The guide said this was 2.3 mis from the car. We were at 2.3 hours, and while not setting speed records, were not averaging 1 mph either. The guide promised another .9 mis to the ridge and the topo showed over 1000' of elevation. By the time we finished lunch, it was 1:15pm, so we turned back, disappointed, but not wanting to have an 8-9pm finish in Seattle. One of the party had a pedometer, and measured 3.9 mis out from Goat Lake to the road. Because of the up and down rolling terrain, we took almost as long to get out as to come in. Next time I may try the Puyallup Trailhead instead.