Hiked from Walput lake to Nannie ridge (With a side trip to Nannie peak) and then to Cipsus pass and Cipsus basin. It's 16 miles and 4100' gain, but the trail is in very good condition, so the hike is easier than the mileage sounds, and took me 7 hours. The mountains in Cipsus basin area are very impressive and colorful  

FS Road 21 is in pretty good condition with just minor washboarding. The final 4 miles to Walput lake are paved other than few potholes.

Refilled water at Cipsus basin. It's also possible to refill at Sheep lake but currently there isn't any flow out of the lake.

There is AT&T cell reception on Nannie peak and Cipsus pass 

With the heat wave this past week, we decided to flee to the mountains where cooler weather prevailed. We started from the Snowgrass Trailhead, which is in excellent condition—two brand-new pit toilets and a nicely maintained gravel parking area.

We followed the Snowgrass Trail (#96) until we reached the bypass and camped near the junction of the bypass and the creek crossing, about five miles in. On the way up, most sites were already taken, but we managed to find a flat-ish spot near the creek, which provided excellent background noise to lull us to sleep.

On Saturday morning, we hiked the last three-quarters of a mile up the bypass trail to the junction with the PCT. We dropped our packs and headed toward Cispus Basin, eventually making our way to Cispus Pass. This area was stunning—fewer people, wide-open views through the basin, and a dramatic waterfall. Returning to the junction, we picked up our packs and continued north on the PCT toward Goat Lake. The only difficult stretch was an unmaintained trail connecting the PCT to the Lily Basin Trail (#96) near the (now dead) Packwood Glacier. With careful footing and poles, it was manageable.

When we arrived at Goat Lake, we were shocked by how busy it was. By 1 p.m., 15–20 tents were already set up and a throng of people crowded the shore. We pushed past the lake (as planned) for another 1.5 miles and set up camp on a flat spot near the start of Johnson Creek. After a short rest, we went for a quick trail run up to Hawkeye Point, then back to Goat Lake for a dip. By then, the number of tents had seemingly doubled, and the atmosphere around the lake felt almost like a party. Back at our campsite, we spent the evening watching a continual stream of even more people heading toward Goat Lake. It’s beautiful, but clearly oversubscribed. I worry about where all those people are going to the bathroom and the impact on the fragile alpine terrain.

On Sunday morning, we hiked the ~5 miles out, detouring up to the Goat Ridge Lookout. The views of Rainier and Adams were amazing, though a little smoky. We loved our first trip to Goat Rocks Wilderness but it seems so do many others!

Holy cow, the wildflowers! I had heard they would be great, and I still wasn't ready. This is Washington summer hiking at its most glorious. Thanks for sticking to trails and established campsites when you visit to protect this very special place. 

I spent a couple nights camping at Snowgrass flats with day hikes to Goat Lake and Cispus Pass. Here are the details:

Day 1

Berry Patch Trailhead to set up camp at Snowgrass flats (Alpine Camp), then hiked to Goat Lake

9.2 miles, 1800 ft of gain

Day 2

Hiked to Cispus Pass (and a little beyond)

9.6 miles, 1500 ft of gain

Day 3

Hiked back out along Snowgrass flats trail

4.9 miles

Trail conditions: All trails were in great condition. A couple fallen trees to scramble over or muddy spots on Snowgrass Flats and the PCT.

Wayfinding note: The bypass trail from Snowgrass Flats trail to the PCT becomes a little unclear at the stream crossing. Cross on the large log, then turn right to follow the trail. There is a trail heading to the left, but it is marked by a sign on the ground that it is decomissioned. 

Did loop counterclockwise. Snow still sticking around the packwood glacier. Scramble to old snowy was challenging.

Road to Snowgrass TH

Mostly washboard and I was able to make it there in Prius without any issues.

Snowgrass TH to Bypass trail #97

Mostly covered under trees and stream flowing next to you makes it calm and enjoyable. Many downed trees in this section mostly on bypass trail.

Bypass Trail to Cispus Pass

This is one of the best section of the trail all the way to Cispus basin, could have avoided going all the way to the pass as views are best in basin. No Mt Adams view from the pass. 

Cispus Pass to Snowgrass flats PCT

Trail drops down and then starts climbing after bottoming. Bunch of water sources. Tons of backpackers making their way to flats to camp.

Snowgrass PCT intersection to Packwood glacier

No snow before glacier. Views of Mount Adams keeps on getting better.  At lower section of the trail there was poop smell probably due to absence of toilets in campground which motivates you to walk faster. There are tons of wildflowers on this section of the trail. Carpets after carpets of different colors filled with paintbrushes, columbines, Lupines and so many other wildflowers.  

Packwood glacier to Old Snowy

Went to Summit Old snowy, lots of route finding needed. Very windy. Somewhat exposed class 3 scramble. There is one section where I had to use all 4 limbs to climb down.

Old Snowy to Elk Pass

This section via PCT alternate took much longer than expected due to the loose rocks and ridge walk. There is lot of exposure on both side of the ridge and be careful of not launching rocks on the west side as PCT is right below this. Did not reach Elk pass as I had hit my turn around time.

PCT back to Packwood Glacier

This was hardest section for the day for me which was apparently on PCT. Small loose rocks and snow covers most of this section. I took much longer to cross this section. I had ice axe which was helpful in snow but I was worried about my footing the whole time.

Packwood glacier to Goat lake

This link between the PCT and Lily basin trail is not maintained and you keep on losing the trail. Route finding ability is needed if using this short cut. Many streams to fill water from once on Lily Basin trail. Marmots were whistling and were alarmed with presence of dogs in their vicinity.

Goat Lake to Jorden Creek Basin

Lots of campers near the lake. Enough opportunity to fill water. Spent time exploring the area around the lake and headed to goat ridge. There is enough snow still left on the lake and around the lake. Lots of wildflowers once you leave the lake area and head towards hawkeye point.

Jordan Creek Basin to Berry Patch via Goat ridge trail

Many downed trees, lots of rocks and roots, there is only one source of water after leaving the jordan creek basin campground. Many people camping in this basin and people were still coming up around 8pm. Once at Berry Patch went I walked on road to snowgrass trailhead. 

Stats: 23 miles and 5800 feet of elevation gain/loss. 

Did a 3 night backpack. Started at Snowgrass flat TH and headed to Old Snowy mountain. Found a spot at the base of Snowy, set up camp and then Headed to the top of Old Snowy. There is only one snow field to cross and that is prior to the base. Not hard to do. Soft snow. The peak was not very hard, but a bit of scramble at the top. 
Next day we hiked Knife’s edge to Elk’s pass and back. Great views and not scary. Some exposure, not bad at all. After we returned, we packed and headed to Cispus. Spend the night prior to the pass, close to the river. Beautiful, but mosquitoville. From tgere we headed to Goat lake via Lilian trail. Gat there at noon, dipped in the frozen lake. So cold! Set up camp above the lake and headed up to Hawkeye point without a pack. Splendid views from up there. Goat lake did not have many mosquitoes. It was windy and that kept them away. Next day hiked to parking via Lilian trail. 
Great adventure with tins of flowers. Just stunning. The higher we were, the less mosquitoes. But wind. One or the other.