Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Goat Rocks Trail Update

Got this today from Back County Horseman.

USFS has got Trail #96 cleared from Berrypatch Trailhead (Chambers Lake area) to Snowgrass Flats. Bypass Trail #97 has also been cleared - connects #96 to 2000 (PCT). Snow levels are preventing stock passage on the PCT after Snowgrass Flats.

The PCT in the Cispus Basin has some serious problems. The trail is washed out at the falls and not passable for stock. Pacific Crest Trail Association will be working on the washout the 3rd week of August.

Here's a map I found online. If someone has a more up-to-date map, please feel free to provide a link.

And a few other helpful details (from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest):

Southeast of Seattle and Mt Rainier near Packwood, the Goat Rocks Wilderness is a 105,600 acre wonderland. The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a portion of the volcanic Cascade Mountain Range in southwestern Washington between Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

The Goat Rocks are remnants of a large volcano, extinct for some two million years. This ancient volcano once towered over the landscape at more than 12,000 feet in elevation, but has since eroded into several peaks averaging around 8,000 feet. The cluster of rocks and peaks have become known as Goat Rocks because of the bands of mountain goats that live here.

Goat Rocks Wilderness features mountainous terrain with elevations from 3,000 feet to 8,201 feet on Gilbert Peak. Much of it lies above timberline, providing out-standing alpine scenery. Many high-elevation trails remain impassable, due to snow, until July and snow can return as early as September.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
GPNF (360) 891-5000; WA Tourism (800) 544-1800.

SEASON:
Jun. - Sep.

RATING:
Moderate

BASE CAMP:
NFS Walupt Lake Campground

Email me if you have any additional information on this ride. I haven't been but sounds like a good one to check out!

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