Goat Island Mountain (Mount Rainier)

November 2, 2014
~3500’ gain; ~6.5 miles round trip. 5:15 hours
I had originally intended to make a clockwise loop on this trip but with forecasted 60% rain I decided it best to get in and get it done. From the car we travelled on the Fryingpan Creek trail to the intersection of the Wonderland Trail. We travelled north approximately .5 miles to gain the east ridge. There was a solid boot path most of the way up the ridge, losing the path occasionally due to snow above 5,400'. We traversed slightly left at approximately 5,600’ then a rising traverse into the basin between the two eastern ridges, staying below and left of the rocks at 6,000’. We continued to the top of the basin rim to its lowest point and then along the ridge another .35 miles to the summit of Goat Island. It was a clear, sunny day with amazing views of freshly snow-covered mountains. What a great way to end the season out White River entrance! We could see clouds rolling in so kept lunch brief. We descended following a 110 degree bearing from the summit, picking the best way down to the Summerland Trail and then back to the cars. We took ice axes and helmets, but did not use them.