Left the clear cuts, crowds, I-90 noise, and marine layer behind and headed east. Arrived at the trailhead around 10. Intermittent snow patches around 4400 and fairly consistent by 5000. Followed tracks from earlier in the week; lost them a few times but general direction easy to follow. Mostly snow from intersection with American Ridge trail to top of Goat Peak. Post-holed only a few times but gaiters and waterproof boots a near-necessity. Peak provided an excellent spot for lunch (refer to 1st sentence). Couldn't see Rainier but nearby peaks visible. Definitely worth the 2 hour drive.

The east end of American Ridge loses its snow early, and offers good early season hiking. I hiked up Goat Creek Trail to Goat Peak, and found the trail to be snow-free and in fine shape, except for some logs across the trail. There are not many views until the saddle at 5800', where a meadow strewn with lupine and phlox provides a scenic resting point. And you had better take a rest, because Goat Peak is still a long way up! Unfortunately, the summit was cold and foggy on the day I was there. On a good day, the view is incredible. From the trailhead in the Bumping River valley, it's about 3300 feet gain to the top. Jay