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Goat Rocks Wilderness

Goat Rocks Wilderness and Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

  • Length: 120 miles of trails
  • Highlights: Breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife in a remote, rugged setting.
  • What’s unique: Located between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams in southwestern Washington, the 100,000+-acre Goat Rocks Wilderness is part of the Cascade Mountain Range. The wilderness is known for its alpine meadows, small lakes, and ponds that are fed by annual snowfall that keeps water sources full until late summer. Wildlife thrives here: pikas and marmots live above the timberline, while deer, elk, and mountain goats roam at lower elevations.
  • Difficulty: Hard, significant elevation gain and loss.
  • Season: Summer, typically snow free in late August for a short time.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • Amazing views of 3 volcanos – Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Adams.
    • No quota system for permits – walk up permits are available at the trailhead.
  • Cons:
    • Bugs: be prepared for the possibility of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies.
    • Short window for backpacking trips, realistically only feasible July-Sept, maybe June and October if you are really lucky!

Permits

  • Wilderness permits are required for entry into Goat Rocks Wilderness within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
  • The self-issuing permits are free and available at all trailheads leading into the wilderness areas.
  • Group size is limited to no more than 12 per party.

Logistics

  • Getting there: 
    • The closest town is Packwood, WA.
    • Both the Seattle, WA airport and Portland, OR airport are a 2.5-hour drive from Packwood.
  • Parking:  Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at some trailheads.

Maps and Other Resources:

  • Option 1: Goat Rocks Loop
  • Option 2: Cispus Pass and Nannie Peak via Snowgrass, PCT, and Klickitat Loop:
  • Part of both of these routes can be found on PCT FarOut, Washington section.

Campgrounds and Zones:

  • Sheep Lake: Picturesque alpine lake.
  • Cispus Basin: These campsites are right after Cispus Pass on the PCT. The basin is stunning, and you have the Cispus River for water.
  • McCall Basin: Wonderful meadow with beautiful wildflowers, off the PCT.
  • Goat Lake: Gorgeous area with multiple campsites.
  • Snowgrass Flats: Currently closed for camping. This area is where the Snowgrass Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail intersect.
  • Shoe Lake Basin: Currently closed to camping.
  • Chambers Lake: Established campground, fee for camping $.
  • Walupt Campground: Established campground, fee for camping $.

Suggested Itineraries:

Goat Rocks Loop

  • Distance: 38.7 miles
  • Duration: 3 nights, 4 days
  • Elevation: 12,084 feet ascent/12,091 feet descent
  • Trailhead Start/End: Walupt Campground.
  • Visit Cascadia on YouTube for info and route map.
  • This route follows the PCT for 12.4 miles – PCT FarOut: 2272.1 (Nannie Ridge Trail & Lake) to 2284.5 (McCall Basin Trail).

Route (Counterclockwise):

  • Walupt Campground to Cispus Basin, ~8 miles
  • Cispus Basin to McCall Basin (w/Old Snowy Summit), ~9 miles
  • McCall Basin to Goat Lake, ~9.5 miles
  • Goat Lake to Walupt Campground, ~12 miles

Alternative Itinerary:

Cispus Pass and Nannie Peak via Snowgrass, PCT, and Klickitat Loop

  • Distance: 21.2 miles
  • Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
  • Elevation: 4,281 feet gain/loss
  • Trailhead Start/End: Snowgrass trailhead off of Chambers Lake Road.
  • Meet-up Point: Chambers Lake Campground (fee $).
  • This route can be found on AllTrails.
  • This route follows the PCT for 5.6 miles – PCT FarOut: 2277.7 (Snowgrass Trail Junction) to 2272.1 (Nannie Ridge Trail & Lake).

Route (Clockwise):

  • Chambers Lake Campground to Cispus Basin, ~ 6 miles
  • Cispus Basin to Walupt Campground (Nannie Peak Summit), ~ 9 miles
  • Walupt Campground to Chambers Lake Campground, ~ 6 miles

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