Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Trail in good conditionRoad
Road suitable for all vehiclesBugs
No bugsSnow
Snow free
This little gem of a "locals" trail is beginning to be discovered. I have hiked this trail 4 or 5 times over the last half dozen years or so and never seen another party until today. Each time the trail is more established and better cairned and signed. There was a good showing of wildflowers. I love the old growth Ponderosa Pines. Ten or so logs were across the trail but easy to circumnavigate. The 1000 foot climb up from "Fun Rocks" and the descent into Mazama at the other end are steep, but once on the bench the trail is mostly flat. And you won't find better views of the valley and surrounding mountains anywhere.... well maybe from the Goat Peak Lookout, but there is still a fair amount of snow on that north side trail at the moment. This hike is almost exactly 4 miles, roughly 1 mile up, 2 miles on the bench and 1 mile down covered about 1200 vertical feet. A great way to spend 2-3 hours.
Comments
Parking is now easier at the Mazama -Spokane Gulch end, because the Goat Wall-Climbing Rock parking area is often full. The Little Sun Flowers (Helianthus) were spectacular late this Spring. Mazama parking is just east of Goat's Beard outdoor equipment store. Hikers first walk across the Mazama meadow from The Ranch House,to access the trail, which is a narrow, steep, and rather rough, foot path, unsuited to bikes, weak hikers, or horses. -Eric Burr, Mazama
Posted by:
Burr on Jun 22, 2020 05:09 PM