Gold Creek makes for a nice on-the-short-end hike, especially this time of year, when the higher elevations are getting snowy (though the recent rains and now sunny days have lessened that factor). The road to the parking lot has a number of potholes, so drive carefully if you have a lowrider. The trail itself has a few minor obstacles--a small wash-out, which is pretty easy to walk around; a couple of streams to cross, which necessitate minor rock-hopping; and a stream running through one short section, again navigable with some strategic stone stepping. A bit of mud here and there, but nothing of the deadly boot-sucking variety.

There are plenty of physical descriptions of the trail, so I won't go into them again here, but suffice it to say that it is a very pleasant gambol with some mellow ups and downs, just enough to get the blood pumping. On the way to the TH, which is a short stroll from the parking lot along a paved sidewalk, we saw two bald eagles up close. One stared at us with golden eyes as we passed beneath his fir tree, the other swooped past a couple times before he glided off after it. Love hiking this time of year for that very reason: you see cool stuff. Gold Creek is a peaceful hike, with lovely woods and a couple of wide clearings that allow for views up-valley--to snow dusted mountains, fall foliage, and a gorgeous waterfall or two. We only hiked to the river crossing right after the campsite, for about an 8-mile RT hike; the river had no bridge, and was quite wide and fast moving. Taking a dip didn't sound like fun today.

When we arrived at about 9:15 a.m., it was 26 degrees, and there were only two cars in the lot. When we exited at about 1:30 p.m., cars were parked all along the road and filled up the lot, and it was about 40 degrees. So--get there early-ish and go beyond Gold Pond, which is where the throngs head, and mostly stay. We only saw two parties on the trail after leaving Gold Pond.

I took a hike up the Gold Creek Trail on this sunny, warm, boring-blue day.  On the way up I made the short detour to the top of Devil's Slide hoping to see the resident herd of goats.  There was lots of sign, but, alas, no goats to be seen.  The view of Rainier, however, was as good as ever.  Once on top where the trail intersects the Bald Mtn Rd, I walked SE along the road until I had good views of Adams, the Goat Rocks, Nelson Ridge, & Mt Rainier.  After lunch I returned the way I had come, with another detour to Devil's Slide, but still no goats.  There were lots of different wildflowers in bloom, but it was very dry and they were not as profuse as I have often seen them along this trail.  The trail itself is open to motorized use & is very rocky in places.  I saw a few motorbikes and 4-wheelers, but it was still a mostly quiet day. 

Tried to hike the Gold Creek trail to Devil's Slide and beyond but at about a mile-and-a-half from the trail head (8.5 miles from 410) the road became impassable by car or motor home.