A Sunny Day Hike to Goat Mountain | Hiking in the North Cascades

Trails Peaks and Waterfalls

Aug 16

Written By Jennifer Carr

Goat Mountain trail is a leg burner. Our first hike of the summer after returning to Seattle and the weather was perfect. Trail reports showed that the snow was melting out and we wouldn’t need snowshoes or crampons. We set out early with the drive up to the parking area and immediately began climbing. Following steep switchbacks through the forest, the trail reached a spectacular ridge around 5,600 feet offering incredible views of Mounts Sefrit, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker. We spent some time soaking up the views, scouting future hikes along the distant ridgelines.

*Mount Shuksan from Goat Mountain Trail*

Despite being able to sit in the sun and take in the views, we knew we needed to head down the mountain. We called it a day and followed our tracks through the snow back down into the lower elevation forested trail.

The forest trail was coming to life after thawing from deep winter snow. Wildflowers were beginning to emerge and ferns were unraveling in the patches of sunlight. I spent much of the hike searching for the tiny Calypso Orchids. Each time I say I will bring my macro lens, but I never remember until we are on the trail.