Birthday - Goat Rocks wilderness

I had been dreaming about this trip all year. I haven’t been to the Goat Rocks since I was a teenager. It is in the category of “a little too far away.” Sunrise and the whole 410 corridor is on the way and I’ve spent the last few years going to Sunrise for my birthday.

The Goat Rocks Wilderness is 108,096 acres (437.45 km2) of remote and rugged landscape with huge peaks and deep river valleys so deciding what part to explore was fun in itself. I finally decided on a popular loop hike. There is so much more to explore that I can come back and enjoy, but this gives a nice taste of the area. Dense forests, wide open wildflower filled meadows, surrounded by jutting peaks.

I drove out on a Sunday late morning with the plan to hit trail around 2pm and get to my first camp somewhere around 5-6pm. The plans were to stay two nights and three days. I parked at Berry Patch trail and the hike is a steady, constant but easy uphill grade. The sky was slightly overcast and it was cool with a nice breeze so this section was effort but completely fine.

At about 4miles, I decided to camp for the evening along Jordan Creek overlooking Jordan Basin. It has some lovely sites and was more quiet and private than continuing on to Goat Lake which is the most popular spot to overnight.

I didn’t sleep very well. I kept getting very warm and sweaty, which would cause me to wake up shivering as I started to evaporate. I am a hot sleeper and I thought that changing to a lighter weight sleeping blanket would fix this issue. It didn’t and I think the next step is to add a sheet.

I left camp pre-8am and hiked the maybe 400ft gain to the ridge which opens out to Goat Lake/River/Valley. My initial intention was to pop up to Hawkeye Point and I’m not sure why in this moment I didn’t.

Maybe if I had read the sign? Maybe if I wasn’t just drawn into the valley below? I don’t know. I’m a person - I do things

It’s about a mile to get to Goat Lake where everyone camps. I’m glad I didn’t. Yes, there is a ton of spots so I would have found one - but it’s colder by the lake. More windy. There’s almost zero privacy whereas in my camp last night I felt tucked to the side. Not invisible, but in my little corner.

I waited patiently for the people at the most perfect spot in the world to pack up so I could take the photo of the most perfect camping spot. I won’t tell you not to camp at the lake. All these tents dotting the lake had beautiful views of Mt. Adams, the moonrise, and sunrise that I did not.

Then I wandered around past the lake, down across the valley listening to the Marmots call to each other.

There were flowers absolutely everywhere just dotting all the fields and trails. This can be done in as a day hike and I think that’s what I’d generally recommend. The second half of the loop is lovely, but you’re not missing much.

It is impossible to put into words or photos the absolute scale of this place. When you’re on the Snowgrass Flats, you’re both in Wildflower Heaven and surrounded by glorious mountains.

Streams dot the whole valley which is what makes it so lush and inviting. Oh and it smells amazing!!!

Happy backpackers heading home from their own adventure

The last section of the trail is through woods. I got absolutely eaten by biting flies. For the whole day, it was around 8.5mi and around 2,500ft up and down. While this almost 50yr old lady made it, I was jealous of those day hikers with no heavy pack and the youth with their fresh legs. It was a slog, but a worthwhile slog and it’s part of backpacking or hiking.

Happiness isn’t just about the perfect moment you hit the top of a ridge and sit staring at a beautiful vista. Happiness comes from the effort it took you to achieve those goals. In the end, every single flower, every waterfall sparkling in the sunshine, and every screech of a marmot was hard won.

Here’s some last flower photos to enjoy. Wish you could smell them!!!