We had a lovely overnight to Lake Michael with side trips to Moonshine Lake, Lake Terrance and the summit of Goat Mountain.
Conditions of note: only a few easy to bypass blowdown on the trail to Lake Michael. There are a lot of ups and downs along the way, but also a lot of berries- I ate thimbleberries, blueberries, huckleberries and salmonberries. There was just enough water along the crossing of Trail Creek, but otherwise you will want to ensure water supply.
Horse traffic: encountered a large party on their way out from Lake Michael.
Moonshine Lake: very pretty lake! the trail does not have a sign, but it does have a white flag at the start of the trail. The trail is in excellent condition and there is camping, and a lot of blueberries at the lake.
Lake Michael Camping: there is one large campsite on the hikers left of the outlet, and more on the right plus the horse camp. Continuing past the outlet area on trail to the left of the lake there isn't much in the way of camping. We found two single tent site close to our preferred route up Goat Mountain , which we set up in one of them. Later in the evening a large party with 3 tents showed up and we explained that there was no tent site in the area, politely asking them to leave as there wasn't an established site in the area, and offering other suggested camp ideas. They were not amenable, and chose to set up in the meadow area near us- trampling the meadow. We also found a fire pit full of garbage in this area- we dismantled the fire pit and carried out the garbage.
Lake Terrance: trail is in excellent condition to the lovely lake, which has camping near the outlet.
Goat Mountain: we went over the shoulder to the north of Lake Michael, then a rising class 2 traverse until nearly below the summit block. We then found an exposed moist narrow ledge to traverse before gaining easier class 2 terrain to the summit.
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