Goat Peak Lookout — Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

No mosquitoes! Lots of butterflies though. Flies were a bit of an annoyance, but between my Bugsaway shirt and hiking pants, I didn't get bit. There were good flowers still. I don't normally do this hike in the height of summer--the July 4th holiday is generally the latest I would do this, until fall-- but this morning was cool and the skies were so beautiful I took a chance, and it was great. I only ran into four pairs of hikers. The lookout was closed to visitors, as it is much of the time when it is staffed, because the staff person is busy doing a multitude of tasks, and because it is their personal living quarters. (Check out their social media posts under the account "Where in the Wild is Chris"). It is a treat when they welcome visitors into the space, however, don't expect it.

Do you make sure you have a decent level of fitness to do this trail. It is short but it is very steep and kind of slippery and eroded in places. I have seen people struggle mightily on it, and nearly everyone huffs and puffs quite a bit going up. Sometimes I see this listed as good do with kids, which I think is nuts (unless the kids are very used to steep hiking trails), and is probably a sign that the author has never actually done the hike. Bring water for your dog, there is none.

Yes the road is somewhat rough, but any crossover can do it. And let's face it, with USFS budgets having been slashed, it's not like the road is going to improve. it's going to take a solid 45 minutes to get to the trailhead from Goat Creek Road.