Backpack - Goat Rocks Wildernesss --- Goat Rocks/PCT/White Pass

Meeting place and time 6:00 AM at White Pass Ski Area Lodge, 48853 U.S. 12 Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Naches, WA 98937

Leader's notes

3-day backpack through the Goat Rocks Wilderness. There will be a fee for a shuttle service to bring us from White Pass to Walupt Lake to begin our one-way Trek.

Our route takes us over the highest point of the PCT in Washington. Here is an excerpt of the description from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest site:

"The PCT within the Goat Rocks Wilderness varies in elevation from about 4,500 feet to 7,500 feet. At higher elevations, rain or snow can be expected at any time. For this reason, through-travel may not be possible until late July through mid-September. Crossing snowfields one-half mile long can be common in August. Ice axes are always recommended. Warm, waterproof clothing is necessary during the entire summer."

For this reason, to negotiate passage over Old Snowy Mountain and Elk Pass, I am requiring ice axes and knowledge of its use (self arrest) for this trip.