Snowgrass Flat Backpacking Trip – Goat Rocks Wilderness

This trip was shortened due to my getting heat exhaustion, but Goat Rocks was still a beautiful place to spend a couple of nights.

For more backpacking trip reports for Goat Rocks, see my previous trip reports.

When I was planning this trip, I knew that hot weather could be a factor. I’ve had too many experiences with heat exhaustion so I was hoping to avoid a hike in during a heat wave. I decided to go when the forecast called for a high of 68 degrees a few days before the trip, but it ended up being 84 degrees when we reached the trailhead. At this elevation (our camp was at 6,200 ft), that’s definitely hotter than I would have preferred since I’ve struggled in mid-60s temps before.

Regardless, I was here and had prepared for the heat by pre-hydrating with electrolytes on the drive. On the hike in, I stopped several times to cool off by dousing my head with cold creek water.

I wanted to camp above the Snowgrass Flat area, closer to the Pacific Crest Trail for better views of Goat Rocks. I had camped in this area before and knew where several campsites were located, as well as a creek for water access. We ended up staying at a campsite higher up the first night and moved camp the next morning for more shade.

As I expected to happen based on how hot it was when we hiked in, I didn’t feel well for the rest of the trip with a mild case of heat exhaustion. While I rested at camp and did a few short explorations of the area over the next two days, my friend hiked to Goat Lake and Cispus Pass.

View of Mount Adams from our campsite

At sunset, I wandered up towards the PCT. These views are worth every step it took to get here.

The next day, I headed back down to the Lily Basin Trail and explored the area for a bit before heading back to camp to rest.

Mid-July is a great time to be in Goat Rocks for the beargrass blooms.

Pink heather is one of my top favorite wildflowers, and there was so much of it in bloom on this trip.

Low clouds and fog moved in and quickly hid the views. It didn’t stick around though and later the skies were clear again.

Every hillside close to the PCT was filled with wildflowers like this.

I spent a couple of hours walking slowing on the PCT while I admired this ridge in Goat Rocks.

Ridge after ridge of peaks, with Mount St. Helens on the horizon.

Mount Adams at the PCT/Snowgrass trail junction.

Next time, I hope to be able to do a lot more hiking in this spectacular location… I’ll be back for sure.