Goat Lake

May 14, 2016


Goat Lake is an alpine lake located about an hour outside Granite Falls. We needed a trail with some distance and of intermediate difficulty that would help build our endurance, and this trail fit the bill perfectly. I had seen photos of the lake that awaited us 5.3 miles up the trail, so I was looking forward to reaching our destination. I wasn't prepared, however, for the incredible journey...

We began our trip with what could likened to a stroll through a lowlands forest. The first two miles of the trail can be travelled via either an upper or lower route. We took the upper, much of which follows an old roadbed for about a mile. The trail was wide (by trail standards) and smooth for a  ways. The trees were primarily alder and maple, and thick. They stood as tall and close as soldiers protecting the wilderness that lay just beyond. Their branches were laced like clasped hands above us, their new leaves whispering in the breeze. The understory grew thick with salmonberries and ferns, with just about every local variety in attendance. There were devils club and skunk cabbage that grew larger than I can recall ever seeing. The upper trail also treated us to waterfall after waterfall, and wildflowers galore. Vivid yellow Evergreen Violets, Red Columbine, Bleeding hearts, False Solomon's Seal and Hooker's Fairybell bloomed all around us.

Some of the waterfalls along the trail

Evie demonstrates the girth of an ancient cedar

The trail carried us across a stream and there the lowland forest seamlessly transformed from one of youth to one of ancient wonder. We were walking through a primordial forest where timeless cedars stood, faithful keepers of ancient secrets. Were they so inclined they could share the region's history from before the first barefoot man wandered over their roots and under their boughs. They would tell tales of squirrels, deer and other forest denizens over whom they have towered for generations. Oh, to speak the language of trees has always been a fantasy of mine.

However easy it would be, I couldn't lose myself in dreams and imagination. Here the trail merged with the lower route and began to climb in earnest towards our destination. The majority of the elevation on this trail comes in the second half. As the trail carried us upward, the forest transformed again and we found ourselves hiking now through a climactic forest at the height of its evolution. The air came alive with the smell of silver fir and western hemlock ... and the sound of Elliott Creek. 

Elliott Creek begins its life by tumbling out of Goat Lake in a massive series of waterfalls and rapids. It is impossible to capture it all in one photo frame. In fact, I took two separate panoramic videos of the upper and mid-sections, and only caught about a quarter of it. All this beauty, and we hadn't even reached the lake yet! 

From the falls it is only a matter of minutes before you finally arrive at Goat Lake. The skies were turning gray and threatening rain when we arrived lakeside, with just enough wind to set the surface a-ripple. We climbed out on the logs at the end of the lake, where we ate lunch and relaxed in the tranquility of our surroundings. Before long we felt the first few drops of rain hit our shoulders, signaling time for our return trip.

Goat Lake

On our way back, we took the lower route. The terrain was considerably rougher and harder on the knees. The tradeoff is that it follows Elliott Creek almost the entire way from the junction and is 1/2 mile shorter in distance. The creek was gorgeous as it tumbled over each successive set of rapids, speaking to us the entire way down. At one point we encountered a mouse in the middle of the trail who was too busy munching her meal to give us anything more than a sideways glance. She could barely be bothered to move across the trail to allow us room to pass.

Elliott Creek

The past hike or two I have experienced pain at the top of my fibula on both legs, and the return trip triggered the discomfort. Due to my structural issues, I try to be mindful of the messages my body sends and I am keeping an eye on this latest issue to see if it continues or worsens. We were all tired when we reached the parking lot, but the exhaustion was fleeting as the decision was made to go into Granite Falls for Mexican food for some protein and carbs. When all else fails, eat.


This hike reaffirmed my belief that hiking isn't always about the destination, but the journey.


Hike 22 of 52
Distance: 10.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400'