Goat Lake (Monte Cristo)

This trail is trending on social media, so it is drawing crowds. We met at 8:30 a.m. and got some of the last spaces in the small lot. When we left 2 pm there were ~40 cars parked along the road - on a Monday! If you go on a weekend, I'd advise starting early or late.

We started on the lower trail (along the river) and took it to the lake. At the lake we headed east/ left for about 0.3 miles until we found an unoccupied, open view [of the cirque] spot for lunch. After lunch we explored the camp area (camping not allowed along the lakeshore) is on a hillside, no views of the lake, but some "flat enough" areas for 10-12 spread out tents. Fires not allowed, toilet further up the hill, water 0.1 miles to the lake.

Some friends in another group 30 minutes behind us, saw a black bear just off the trail.

Our group decided they wished to return via the same lower trail along Elliot Creek. At the lower junction of the upper trail #647.1, we followed it in search of Chokwich Creek Trail #647.2, aiming for the Chokwich Falls ~1.7 miles from the lower junction. We were able to locate it - with a bit of searching. On the right/south side of the trail, there are two posts that likely once held a suspended sign, but are easy to miss because you are looking on the North side for the trail itself. The trail is another old road, wide but some blowdowns, plenty of low, prickly brush makes slow travel. We turned around after 0.3 miles to save this bushwhack for another day.