Goat Creek, Goat Peak — Tuesday, Jul. 2, 2002

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