goat rocks tour
Location: Goat Rocks
31 miles total, 6,500' gained
driving directions, Walupt Lake trailhead (loop tour)
trail map, loop tour
62 miles total, 12,000' gained
driving directions, Packwood Lake trailhead (extended tour)
trail map, extended tour
weather forecast for this area
Two hikes here, both covering sizeable portions of the Goat Rocks Wilderness, which has to be on the list for most incredible scenery in SW Washington. Both trips take in Hawkeye Point, Goat Lake, Old Snowy, Cispus Basin and Cispus Pass, with, of course, views everywhere. The extended tour at 62 miles, is an unforgettable journey, adding in Coyote Ridge and the Knife's Edge (twice) to thoroughly reinforce the amazingness of Goat Rocks.
Loop Tour: This trip starts at Walupt Lake and proceeds through the forest the first quarter or so. Pass by Jordan Basin, and then hit the 'wow' moments of Lily Basin and the short trek up Hawkeye Point. With Goat Lake visible below, you can almost spot your potential campsite at that location, if desired.
Traversing across from Goat Ridge is quite pleasant, just the mental warm-up for reaching the extraordinary Cispus Basin. Proceed around this remarkable basin, reaching the 6,400' Cispus Pass. Pause here to gaze at the headwaters of the Klickitat River, and a Native American trailway from years ago. The southern end of the Goat Rocks rise over the area. Finish up with the descent to Sheep Lake and Nannie Ridge.
Extended Tour: Need more? This trip has it: More scenery, more challenge (elevation, mileage), more trails. Starting at Packwood Lake trailhead, make the easy stroll to Packwood Lake. That's the last easy for a while. Coyote Ridge delivers on elevation, as it goes up, down (Packwood Saddle), then up again (Elk Pass), making the junction with the PCT. From there, enjoy the intensity of the Knife's Edge portion of the trail. It's safe, but something not to take lightly - watch the weather! Pass by Old Snowy, attaining the summit either coming or going. From here, this extended tour picks up the loop tour's route: Cispus Basin, Cispus Pass, Nannie Ridge, Walupt Lake, Jordan Basin, Lily Basin, Hawkeye Point, Goat Lake.
Once the loop is completed and northbound on the PCT, recross the Knife's Edge, and make the calm descent through the forest on Upper Lake Creek trail, forming a partial loop for the return.
Water is pretty good, except for the stretch along Coyote Ridge and the Knife's Edge. As noted on the trail maps, there are various camping options. Going above the PCT in Cispus Basin is also a possibility; if this is your thing, find a game trail to do your part in preserving the area. Best done during the week, late summer through early fall.
driving directions, Walupt Lake trailhead (loop tour)
trail map, loop tour
62 miles total, 12,000' gained
driving directions, Packwood Lake trailhead (extended tour)
trail map, extended tour
weather forecast for this area
Two hikes here, both covering sizeable portions of the Goat Rocks Wilderness, which has to be on the list for most incredible scenery in SW Washington. Both trips take in Hawkeye Point, Goat Lake, Old Snowy, Cispus Basin and Cispus Pass, with, of course, views everywhere. The extended tour at 62 miles, is an unforgettable journey, adding in Coyote Ridge and the Knife's Edge (twice) to thoroughly reinforce the amazingness of Goat Rocks.
Loop Tour: This trip starts at Walupt Lake and proceeds through the forest the first quarter or so. Pass by Jordan Basin, and then hit the 'wow' moments of Lily Basin and the short trek up Hawkeye Point. With Goat Lake visible below, you can almost spot your potential campsite at that location, if desired.
Traversing across from Goat Ridge is quite pleasant, just the mental warm-up for reaching the extraordinary Cispus Basin. Proceed around this remarkable basin, reaching the 6,400' Cispus Pass. Pause here to gaze at the headwaters of the Klickitat River, and a Native American trailway from years ago. The southern end of the Goat Rocks rise over the area. Finish up with the descent to Sheep Lake and Nannie Ridge.
Extended Tour: Need more? This trip has it: More scenery, more challenge (elevation, mileage), more trails. Starting at Packwood Lake trailhead, make the easy stroll to Packwood Lake. That's the last easy for a while. Coyote Ridge delivers on elevation, as it goes up, down (Packwood Saddle), then up again (Elk Pass), making the junction with the PCT. From there, enjoy the intensity of the Knife's Edge portion of the trail. It's safe, but something not to take lightly - watch the weather! Pass by Old Snowy, attaining the summit either coming or going. From here, this extended tour picks up the loop tour's route: Cispus Basin, Cispus Pass, Nannie Ridge, Walupt Lake, Jordan Basin, Lily Basin, Hawkeye Point, Goat Lake.
Once the loop is completed and northbound on the PCT, recross the Knife's Edge, and make the calm descent through the forest on Upper Lake Creek trail, forming a partial loop for the return.
Water is pretty good, except for the stretch along Coyote Ridge and the Knife's Edge. As noted on the trail maps, there are various camping options. Going above the PCT in Cispus Basin is also a possibility; if this is your thing, find a game trail to do your part in preserving the area. Best done during the week, late summer through early fall.
Goat Lake and Goat Rocks from Hawkeye Point
Mt. Adams from near Goat Lake
Lily Basin, Mt. Rainier
Cispus Basin
Klickitat River valley, looking south from Cispus Pass
Goat Rocks, looking north from Cispus Pass
View from Coyote Ridge trail
North end of Knife's Edge; Old Snowy in far distance