Goatin' up the trail at Goat Rocks

Me photo essay

Not gonna spoil all these tantalizing photos with too many words. I think they kinda speak for themselves. Will only say that our pack of seven recently braved a billion wildflowers, incalculable blood-thirsty swarms of well-meaning, but genetically misguided mosquitos, four days of perfect weather, plus splendid views of WA’s two highest volcanoes (and Mount Saint Helens to boot), all from the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area south of Mount Rainier.

Sheepishly (goatishly?), I’ll admit this was my first-ever escapade to the Rocks of Goat. Not sure how I missed it all these years. Thanks to Rod and Rick for making it happen! If you go, be warned it’s a popular place, so go on a weekday if possible. For the record, we saw zero goats and one fearless marmot.

Goatin’ up the Snowgrass Trail.

A lovely meadow full of marauding bands of mosquitos—I mean wildflowers.

Alleged goat country from near the Pacific Crest Trail.

Mount Saint Helens beyond Goat Ridge.

You can’t miss all the bear grass.

At camp, lost in deep thought.

Thinking shallow thoughts on the PCT. That’s Mount Adams to the south.

Nearing the highest point of the PCT in WA, en route to Old Snowy Mountain.

Mount Rainier finally makes an appearance. Goat Lake is in the bowl to the left.

Goatin’ up Old Snowy. Perhaps better named Old Rubbly?

Taking a rest before continuing on to Goat Lake.

Goat Lake in mid-July.

Along the Lily Basin Trail.

Cispus Basin.

Elephant heads!

Thanks to Professor Phil, we also leanrnt us some cloud physics at camp!

Western pasque flowers stole the show.