American Ridge, Goat Peak & Goat Creek — Friday, Jun. 9, 2006

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Hiked American Ridge from the N trailhead for about 5 miles in. No snow and trail is in good condition. Of course there are the expected winter deadfall trees (@ 2 dozen) across the trail since crews haven't cleared it yet. But nothing not easily gotten around. Didn't quite go to Goat Peak but looked like a good bit of snow on the N side of the peak yet. #959 Trail was clear of snow most of the way to the top of the Ridge from Cougar Flat trailhead. A few very small patches of snow left, but should be gone soon. Maybe 15 blowdown trees across the trail, but nothing major. From top of the ridge hiked on up to Goat Peak (from S side). Most of the snow is gone but several patches still need to be crossed on the switchbacks near the top. The top is clear. Sad to say, the cannister containing the comments notebook seems to have been taken, so if someone going up there could replace it, this would be a boon to all mankind. Looking S from Goat Peak, there looks to be a fair bit of snow on the ridge yet so I'd expect to still run into snow there in the higher parts of the trail.