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Weekend Gem: The Green Goat Loop

Posted by eriksoltan on Jun 1, 2015 in Uncategorized | No Comments

This 28-mile loop in the rugged Mt. Margaret Backcountry has something for everyone. From the old growth forests near the Green and Goat Rivers that narrowly escaped being completely clear-cut for their abundant stands of firs and cedars, to the high mountain vistas of Tumwater and Goat Peaks that hover over their surroundings providing ever-changing views of high Cascade peaks in all directions. Along the way you will pass secluded lakes and tarns that are placed on the foot of these imposing peaks. They make an ideal spot to take a quick dip or take in the scenery on a lunch break. Start by driving I-5 to exit 68 for HWY. 12 East, and take it 37 miles to Kosmos Rd. and make a right and then a quick left on Cowlitz Road and follow it for 4.3 miles. After the bridge over Riffe Lake, make right on Rd. 2750 and follow it as it splits to the left to the TH in 3.7 miles.

Take the unmarked Goat Creek Trail under lovely Leona Falls and up to an intersection with TR 218 and follow this gentle path to a great little tarn under Tumwater Mtn., a good spot for a lunch break. Next, follow the trail as it winds down to Deadmans Lake, if you are tired and in need of a camp, follow the lakeshore trail to the left to a great camp near the inlet stream to its left. However, I think you should hike on and up to Goat Mtn. enjoying the views of the Green River Valley, Mt. Adams and the Mt. Margaret Backcountry. The trail traverses open slopes of pumice and flowers to a camp near a little tarn on the north side of the ridge with a splendid view of Mt. Rainier and Adams in about 3 miles from Deadmans Lake, if you start going downhill again, you went to far. Sit back and enjoy the alpenglow after a 14.2 mile day. Next, head downhill into the majestic Green River Valley, following TR 213 past miles of old growth forests, one of the state’s finest stands to the Vanson Ridge Trail 213A and make that right. Follow this trail to Vanson Lake and make camp and watch the fish jump as you enjoy dinner after this 11.5 mile day, after dinner, follow the trail uphill to Vanson Peak for a unbelievable sunset from this fantastic vantage point. On the final day, follow the trail past lovely cascades and forest to the Goat Creek Trail and back to the car, a 6 mile day.

This trip is lovely as it is lonely, so take a book or some friends along to share the adventure in this wild country. This trip generally opens by early to mid July but is recommended during this month because of the low snowpack. However, the outrageous flower meadows that became even more gorgeous thanks to the nutritious nitrogen in the ash deposited on the hillsides from the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens won’t be great until this summer. I recommend a minimum of 3 days hiking time due to the many climbs and descents of these mountainous ridges.