Goat Lake - first overnight trip of the season!

Hike Name: Goat Lake (click here for forest service description)
Round-Trip Distance: 10.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400 ft
Season: Late-May through early Nov
Difficulty: easy
Forest: Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (click here for current conditions)
Contact: Verlot Public Service Center (360) 691-7791
Map: Green Trails # 111
Directions: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Hwy east for 31 miles to Barlow Pass and end of pavement. Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead.Continue f.or 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 4080. Follow this for 0.8 miles, then take trailhead for Elliott Creek Trail #647.

Well, Kim and I decided to try another hike off of The Mountain Loop Highway, and we wanted to be able to camp overnight at our destination, for the first time this year. We had done Goat Lake years ago, before the Mountain Loop was closed. We remembered it to be a pleasant hike up - not too steep, but just long enough to be more than a "walk." The first few miles are quite flat and shady, and then the trail starts to climb towards the end.

The trail splits into an Upper trail and Lower trail - the Upper Trail follows the old logging road and is very flat, the other follows the creek and is a little more varied, although still very nice trail.

Camping at the lake were 4 other groups, and we didn't really enjoy much solitude. However the lake itself is quite large and stunning, and the weather was great and sunny. We did not encounter any snow. No bugs, hooray! We did get a bit chilly at night, and Kim was cold inside of her sleeping bag. I brought a fleece and long-sleeve to sleep in, and was fine.

This would be a great day-hike as well as a beginner's over-nighter. A great hike to use to "test" your backpacking strength - first time out with an overnight pack for the season, etc. Also a good "test hike" to see what items you have forgotten to pack! For instance, I forgot my hat and gloves. I say this because if you do forget something, there will likely be others camping nearby, and you could always borrow something if you are desperate.

All in all a great time, wonderful to be outside again - to wake up by this beautiful gem of a lake!!