Goat Peak, Goat Creek — Sunday, Jun. 18, 2006

The trip up the Goat creek trail is labeled as easy – and perhaps it is - but after that 20th blow down and the umpteenth switchback the thought passing through your head isn't “this is easy”! Trail 959 starts directly off of Bumping Lake road and follows the road for a wee bit before passing the closest it will ever come to Goat Creek. That starts the first set of switchbacks and blow downs. Most of the trees on the trail are easy to circumvent by walking around, climbing over - or just limbo under it (OK, maybe not). The trail doesn't give you a lot of views until you reach the junction of Goat Creek and American ridge. Just a peak or two at the Nelson ridge and the wonderful feeling of being amidst the trees again – but once to the top of the ridge, there is a nice small camping spot with an open and very scenic view of Nelson ridge. Continuing up the trail to the top of Goat Peak you get to see very pleasant views of Pleasant Valley up to Chinook pass itself and the very glamorous Mount Rainier. All of that pales in comparison to the total view you get to take in once you have made it to the top of Goat Peak. The only bit of snow to contend with was at a switchback around 6300 feet – not far from the top. Being a bit careful there, you can easily get around the snow OK and a couple switchbacks later and you were at the top! The views!! Dizzying! From Rainier to Fifes Ridge. From Nelson Ridge to Mount Adams. Pleasant Valley to the right and Bumping Lake to the left. Even the Bethel Ridge tower can be seen. I was here 16 years ago and back then there was a register. This time I search for quite some time but couldn't find it. Hopefully someone will replace it. Maybe you.