Goat Rocks, Washington - Aug 15 - 17

“Hey Folks,

How about a walk in the Southern Washington Cascades.

Location: Goat Rocks Wilderness, Washington

Trail:
Day 1 (8/15) Chambers Lake TH to Snowgrass Flats area.

Day 2 (8/16) Day hike into the Cispus Basin

Day 3 (8/17) Back out to Chambers Lake

If you're interested drop me a line at cdevoe@verizon.net.

Hope to see you there ...”

“I'm interested... Do you have to get permits? What is the mileage each day?”

“No permits, just the usual Wilderness registration at the TH.

Mileage is about 6 per day. It's really a pretty easy hike.”

“OMG! It's ChinaChas!

How goes it???”

“CC, I might be up for that!”

“You do realize this is in Washington, right Dunk? I didn't think you ever left Cal. LOL

Seriously though, it would be great to have you up our way.”

“I wish I could. That is a really beautiful place that I would like to go back to see again. We didn't see it at its best but the parts we saw before the clouds rolled in were beautiful and I have seen all the photos my PCT friends took of the famous ridge view with Ranier behind.”

“Hey Lizs, yup, I'm back ...

Ginny, are you in the NW?”

“CC, like I said, I'm on vacation. My backup plan before I heard back from you was a road trip up to Glacier then into the Candadian Rockies and BC. Best case scenario, I'd leave Redding Thursday night and get well into Oregon, then finish the drive to Washington Friday and meet you at camp. Be sure to get Mark and Beth to go.

With that being said, instead of hitting the Sierras when we get out maybe we could do something in the Alps. I've been trying to do a loop that includes Foster Lk but early season conditions wouldn't allow it when I wanted to.”

“NO, not anywhere near. I hiked the PCT in 2000. Now I want to go back and hike parts of it again - most especially Washington, which was mostly invisible when we were there. The parts I saw, I loved. We also rented a car and visited ONP and Ranier while we were in the area.”

“CC, just saw your email, something else in the PNW would be fine after Goat Rocks. I'm gonna try to see if Wrongway is up for Goat Rocks.”

“Charlie... Put me down on this one! I'm in!

OldTimer... This is one that we've talked about... maybe a car pool??”

“LadyHiker, sounds like a plan.

Charlie, I'm not familiar with that area, any good guide books available?”

“Hey OT, this is shaping up great. Looks like we may have most of the PNW crowd plus.

A good guide book is 100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades and Olympics. Ira & Harvey Manning.

Looking forward to walking with you again.”

“I am working out the details, but think I will be there. Not sure if I am coming alone or with someone. Is Strider going to make it?”

“Hey Freedom, it'd be great to see you up there. So far no word from Strider.”

“CC, looks like I can still do this one but not the one after, something came up.”

“Dunk - The important thing is that you can make it to this one. We have a pretty good turn out for the PNW gang.”

“I just spoke with Wrongway, he'll be joining us on Friday!”

“Sorry, make that Saturday!”

“Woo Hoo, have him drop me a line and I'll give detailed instructions.

Er, better yet maybe we should go get him at the TH. LOL

Think you'll make it up here Thursday?”

“With your help with computer access Thursday night, no prob. I'll be leaving the Sac area Wednesday night and I'll probably camp near the border giving me plenty of time to make it to Portland on Thursday afternoon.”

“Dunk, if you can make it to Sutherlin, you can camp at my place.”

“Thanks Jim, I'll keep you informed!”

“Just got home this evening from 5 nights in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. After scraping off the crust I found your e-mail. I already have vacation scheduled for that week in August so I'm a player, count me in. On the drive home this afternoon I was thinking about what trail I would be walking up.... might as well be this one, 'eh?

Actually, I'm thinking about going up Nannie Ridge (oof!) from Walupt Lake on the 13th or 14th, and walking the PCT North over Cispus Pass to Snowgrass. Assuming that I could beg a ride from someone back to Walupt from Chambers, that would be a nice thruhike.

Would there be any issues with snow on Cispus Pass in August?”

“All right Strider! Looks like we've got just about everybody accounted for now.

As far snow over Cispus, I've been there in August when there is snow. Usually on the reservation side of the pass but nothing you can't get around.

This is the area we plan to day hike into Saturday. If you wanted to do something different, maybe you and some others could walk North up the PCT to the pass below Old Snowy. Good views there too!”

“Hey campers. I procrastinated getting out more detailed information and right now, I'm in Wyoming so it will have to wait.

I should return Tuesday the 12th.

Oh, and yes Strider, I'll give you a ride back to your car if you do the extended trip.”

“I'll also need directions to your casa! And a phone #”

“Chas,


Here I am in a hotel room in San Diego, trying to figure out the "hig spped internet" I just payed 8 bucks for. What fun.

Thsnks for the ride, I'll take it. At this point I'm thinking Snowgrass from the South. Easier for me, easier for you to play taxi. No one's been foolish enough (so far) to express interest in going in earl with me, so I'll likely do that part of the trip solo. See ya at Snowgrass Friday afternoon..... the loooooost straggler”

“Sounds good Strider

You'll most likely find us near the PCT above Snowgrass Flats. Head toward the trail that goes down to the flats (not the "By-Pass" trail) and let out a yell or two.

See you there.”

“Dunk, to answer your question from another topic, no Michael won't be on this one. Soccer starts that week and he'll be with his Mom.”

“Im hiking in for 3 or 4 days beginning the 17th but hear no camping at snowgrass flat.Im from California so Im not familiar with the area. Does any one know where its ok either toward Goat lake or Cispus pass?”

“Alpenzire - You're right, no camping at Snowgrass Flats proper. However, if you head up toward the PCT between the junction of trails 96 and 97 there are some places to camp.

The PCT through Cispus Basin and Pass offers little in the way of camping. The trail travereses a pretty steep area there. There is maybe one good place at Goat Lake however it is a bit exposed so I wouldn't recommend it. If you take trail 86 out of Snowgrass there are a couple of sites just out of Snowgrass Flats. If you are going to Goat Lake, I suggest you head over the ridge to Jordan Basin to set up camp.

Where are you coming in from? If it's Chambers Lake you're likely to meet us coming out on the 17th. If you can adjust your dates, your more then welcome to join us.”

“Okay, so I'm not much for a trip report.

Our group consisted of Nomad, Meerkat, Dunk, Strider, Dead Guy, Freedom, Lisa, Shannon, Old Timer, Alpine and of course, me ChinaChas.

We hiked into Goat Rocks ...

Ah, who am I kidding. I'll leave the trip report to those with more literary skills then my own.

But hey, here are some pics -

Album 1




Album 2

Enjoy ...”

“Wow! Some of those shots are unbelievable. Many of them looked more like paintings!

Thanks!”

“It looks like you folks had some nice weather! Looking forward to the trip report.”

“Great pictures ChinaChas!! One day I hope to actually make one of your trips... I really do backpack... ;-)”

“Sure you do, sure ...

:)”

“Hope springs eternal. [Just kidding Kris.]”

“excellent shots. great to hear from you all!!”

“Hey OT, glad to see you made it home. Great hiking with you again.

Oh, and LadyHiker, Jim assures me you actually do know how to shoulder a pack. :)”

“Looks like you all had a great trip. Otter and I are sorry we had to miss it. Maybe next time.”

“Great pics Chas and a fun trip too. Thx for putting it together.

More pics of this trip can be viewed at:

http://www.bound4nature.com/interests/hikg/WA/GR/index.htm

Enjoy!

Nomad”

“Cool Pics CC & Nomad, I'm back after leg 2 of vacation, heading out tomorrow for leg 3. I hit the trail Sun AM at 6:00 and was at the trailhead at 7:50. Home at 9:30 PM. Spent the last few days in California's Grover Hot Spgs and heading to Vegas tomorrow via eastern Sierras. CC, if you're still thinking about heading down there email me. I haven't been checking it but will beginning Friday.

I'll post my pics soon.”

“Pics are loaded, including those of the infamous backcountry ho-down

Album 1

Album 2

Album 3 ”

“I'll add captions as time permits! Off to Vegas now!”

“Great pictures guys. Thats some wonderful looking country and the shots of Ranier are awsome. Not one Running Ranier though. Your format worked great Nomad.”

“Nomad & Dunk - Great Pictures! Thanks!

Oldtimer - New hiking hat? I like it! And thanks for sticking up for my (backpacking) reputation!”

“Good Morning PNW Friends.....

I just finished looking through all of your photos with my morning coffee. Looks like good times for all, and lots of great pics!!

Sorry I had to miss it, but my Rockies were callin'. See you all soon though”

“Finally the Old Timer has posted his pictures. Old folks just move slow.

http://community.webshots.com/user/oldtimer142”