On this mid-July trip, we camped near Snowgrass Flat and did a loop hike on the PCT and Bypass Trails. We attempted to reach Goat Lake and Old Snowy, but snow levels were still high this early in the season.

TRIP PLANNING

• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 4.5 miles, 1,460 ft. gain
• day hike options: Goat Lake, Old Snowy, Cispus Basin
• best months: mid-July to September
• location: Goat Rocks Wilderness; nearest town: Packwood
• land management: Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
• trail conditions: Snowgrass Trail #96
• hike description: Washington Trails Association – Snowgrass Flat
• permits: self-issued at the trailhead
• trailhead pass: none required

Total mileage for four days: 20.4 miles with 3,894 ft. elevation gain

Day 1: hike in to Alpine Camp area

For this three night backpacking trip, we started at the Snowgrass trailhead and hiked in to the junction with the Lily Basin trail (about 4.5 miles, 1,500 ft. gain). We setup our tents at one of the many campsites in the Alpine Camp area. Within a short walk, there are views of Mount Adams, Goat Rocks, Goat Ridge, Mount St. Helens, and wildflower meadows with streams. For filtering water, we walked about a quarter of a mile to a beautiful stream. Wildflowers in bloom included avalanche lilies, heather, paintbrush, buttercup, asters, and more. Bear grass was abundant along sections too.

Snowgrass trailhead

Goat Creek

bridge over Goat Creek, about 2 miles in

first view of Mount Adams from the trail

our camp near Lily Basin trail junction

Lily Basin trail

Western Pasqueflower in bloom

field of heather in bloom

trail to our water access

Goat Rocks

Day 2: day hike towards Goat Lake

On the second day, we did a day hike towards still-frozen Goat Lake. We hiked about 2 miles, then turned around at a snow bridge over a creek. There were several larger snowfields to cross, and with the warmth of summer, the snow was melting and making it not as safe to travel across them. We did see a few people crossing the snow bridges, but decided not to go any farther since there were more to cross on the way to Goat Lake.

view of Goat Rocks from Lily Basin trail

heading to Goat Lake

snow was still melting and draining down the hillsides around us

waterfall near a large talus slope

happy backpacker

avalanche lilies

Hawkeye Point and Goat Lake

Day 3: day hike Bypass Trail loop

On the third day, we took the Snowgrass trail across to the PCT, then headed north for about a mile. We were heading towards Old Snowy, but turned around at a large snowfield with a steep slope, opting to explore farther south on the PCT.

The Bypass trail was very different from everything else we had seen. We felt like we were hiking through fairy land. Bear grass filled the bright green meadows.

Back at camp, we explored the area at sunset, and I ran around with my camera yelling “Mount Adams is pink!”

Day 4: hike out

On the last morning, I got up before everyone else and walked around to get more photos in the early light. We packed up and headed out, knowing that rain was likely on the way. Sure enough, on the way out, it started sprinkling, then the rain picked up, it hailed for a bit, then poured rain while thunder roared. It didn’t get too close until we were back at the trailhead, sopping wet and ready to head home.