GOAT LAKE & HAWKEYE POINT
This is truly the hike of my dreams. The scenery is amazing, plus you go by a beautiful lake and up a fun summit. It’s pretty long for a day hike, but you’ll be distracted from the miles by the views along the way.
Quick Facts:
Distance: 14 miles
Elevation Gain: 3700 feet
Location: Berry Patch Trailhead, Goat Rocks Wilderness, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Season: Late Summer-Early Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The Google Maps directions to this trailhead are spot on. Coming from Seattle, you can either go to the West & South of Mount Rainier, or the North & East. If the weather is good and you’re driving during the day, take the North & East – the views are great! You will be on forest roads for about 17 miles at the end of the drive. In past roads these have been in good condition and any car could drive them, but check recent trip reports to see if this is still the case.
Hike description:
This is a big loop hike, and I suggest doing it in the counterclockwise direction. From the Berry Patch trailhead, you’ll take the Snowgrass Flat trail where you’ll quickly reach an intersection and take the right trail. You’ll hike 2.5 pretty but uninspiring flat miles through the woods before the trail begins to climb uphill and you can begin to get peekaboo views of Mount Adams through gaps in the trees.
View from Goat Ridge trail, late September 2019
View of Mount Adams from the trail, late September 2019
You’ll reach two junctions, at 4 and 4.8 miles; make sure you stay on the Lily Basin Trail at both. Around here is where the views really open up and you can see the singletrack cut through the beautiful, green mountainside. Behind you are wonderful views of Mount Adams, and ahead you can see nearby peaks and the Goat Lake basin, where you’re headed.
At 7 miles you’ll reach Goat Lake, an absolutely stunning green lake surrounded by dramatic cliffs. The trail winds along part of the lake shore, before climbing to a saddle on Goat Ridge above the lake. Make sure to turn around and take in the great views behind you as you climb.
A cloudy view of Mount Rainier from Hawkeye Point, late September 2019
Goat Lake from the trail up to Hawkeye Point, late September 2019
At 7.8 miles, turn right at the junction to head up to Hawkeye Point. You’re climbing for just under a mile through steep, rocky terrain, so be careful with your footing as you follow the faint path up to a false summit, and then up to the real Hawkeye Point summit. On a clear day there are amazing views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount St Helens from up here, in addition to the nearby Goat Rocks peaks and a great view of Goat Lake. You can also find old debris from the fire lookout that used to be up here. It’s a pretty small, exposed summit so you may not want to spend too long up there.
After going back down the same trail from Hawkeye Point, take the Goat Ridge Trail to dip along the side of Goat Ridge opposite Goat Lake. This area is incredibly beautiful, with more sweeping views of lush, green mountains and a creek in the basin below. Take the Goat Ridge Trail all the way back to your car, first with sweeping views of the surrounding area and then on a wooded, downhill portion for the last couple of miles.
View of trail to Goat Lake, late September 2019