Goat Lake Revisited

May 30, 2016

Some trails are just worth visiting more than once.

When I was making up my hiking schedule for the year, two of my co-workers learned I planned on hiking to Goat Lake. Both wanted to go, but neither was available when I had it scheduled. Thus, when I hiked to Goat Lake two weeks ago, I knew I'd be returning. What a difference two weeks can make.

The weather for my return trip was gorgeous. The morning sun filtered through the leaves of the boughs overhead, casting everything in a beautiful glow. The air was alive with the melodies of a half dozen different songbird varieties. With each step I took I could feel my soul renewing itself and a calm washed over me. I love hiking up mountains, but there is just something soothing about walking through the forest that touches the deepest chambers of my soul.

What a difference two weeks can make. I was surprised by the difference in the flow of the trailside waterfalls. The columbine was still in bloom, but most of the other springtime blossoms had faded. We proceeded past now familiar landmarks, making our way towards the lake. The vibrant greens of new spring growth had subdued ever-so-slightly to the green of summer.

As we made the final ascent up towards the lake, I could feel my excitement build in anticipation of the view I hoped was awaiting us. I quietly chuckled knowing that it was very likely someone was sitting on the wooden vault toilet looking down on us as they pooped. Using the toilet in a backcountry camp is an experience, and whoever positioned this one had an odd sense of humor. Upwards we climbed, the roar of Elliott Creek's tumble downward growing louder the nearer we drew. We finally rounded the last bend and there were the falls - the precursor that signalled we were a few hundred yards from our destination.

What a difference two weeks can make. When we first visited Goat Lake the skies were gray and cloudy. There was a strong breeze that rippled across the water's surface. Rain fell. Today the lake was dazzling and resplendent. The sky was blue with occasional clouds crossing over. The breeze was slight. The lake surface gleamed, reflecting back the image of Cadet & Bedal Peaks. It was so beautiful it actually stopped me in my tracks.

Cadet Peak reflected in the surface of Goat Lake

We made our way part way around the lake to a nice vantage point with a log on which to sit and enjoy our lunch. One of the guys treated me to a small bottle of white Zinfandel wine, which nicely complimented my smoked salmon and seemed the perfect way to celebrate such a perfect day.

 

After lunch we sat a bit longer, reveling in the beauty that lay before us. We watched water skippers on the lake's surface; at one point small trout jumped. A chipmunk scampered about looking for dropped goodies. Heaven. I hated to leave, but knew I had a long drive home and needed to be at work the next day. 

What a difference two weeks can make. Even though I had just hiked to the summit of Mount Townsend two days before, my legs felt strong. On our initial visit we had taken the upper trail one direction and the lower on the return, and I struggled. This trip we kept to the less rugged upper trail both ways. My fibular pain didn't surface until we were 2/3 of the way down. My knees, quads and hip flexors still felt steady when we arrived at the car. At trip's end I felt energized, rather than exhausted, likely still fueled by the incredible views.

What a difference two weeks can make. Some trails are just worth visiting more than once, and I'll certainly visit this one again; probably as an overnighter.

Hike 25:52
Distance: 10.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400'