Hannegan Pass and Peak — Friday, May. 29, 1998

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Last year I walked this 10.4 mile roundtrip of a trail. This year I decided to bike the first 3.6 and walk the last 1.6 to Goat lake. This is the only 'trail' in the Darrington Ranger District where a bike is allowed on any part. (The first part is an old logging road, wide, flat, and fairly level) The first section is easily navigable. Only after it becomes a real trail do the mudholes and blowdowns start. There is nothing major, mostly ankle deep, soft mud. There is a whole lot of walking involved in reaching this gorgeous lake. It is totally worth it. Definitely leave the trail to see the waterfall about 150 feet below the outlet. I saw only three decent campsites and a couple of semi-flat spots. As one group of boyscouts was leaving, another was arriving. Plenty of overnight use here. The lakeshore trail quickly degenerates into bushwacking. Too darn many people to encourage wildlife encounters. While there are signs for lakeside toilets, I was not smart enough to find either one.