Heart Lake via Lily Basin Trail — Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016

South Cascades > Goat Rocks

Lily Basin trail to Heart Lake. Original trip plan was to complete loop and come out at Packwood Lake on 7 day trip. Poor weather first two days shrouded landscape in mist, rain and clouds. Washout of trail a couple miles before Heart Lake made for logistical problem solving to get group down one side and up the other. Spent first night at Heart Lake. On second day climbed above the lake on open slopes toward Chimney Rock, Goat Lake. Began to hit more and more difficult snow fields, finally reaching a very large one with steepness that looked too difficult for a large group to safely cross. Returned to Heart Lake for another night. Weather improved dramatically and we enjoyed warm sunny climes in the meadows to dry out clothes and gear. Hiked out the following morning and ended the trip with two days at Packwood Lake instead--did Lost Lake as a side hike from there.