Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack

Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course

Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Goat Lake

This field trip will give B3 students the opportunity to try out gear and new skills on an easy overnight backpack with an experienced mentor.

  • Strenuous, Strenuous 3, Technical 3
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 12.2 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,045 ft

Berry Patch Trailhead (46.466664, -121.527575) time TBD (around 8:00)

There is a first-come, first-served campground next to Chambers Lake

NW Forest Pass required.

Early meeting time to secure campsites at the lake.


Elevations listed are gains and losses along the hike. See net gain/loss on each day as well.

Day 1: 8.3 mi +2800ft, -1100ft

Day 2: 6.7 mi +1718ft, -3390ft


WTA info on the lake.

Trees for hanging food can be about 0.2 – 0.3 miles away from camp. Bear canisters are an option to avoid walking that much to your food.

The following distances and elevations are given by GaiaGPS according to the planned route.

We will hike both under canopy and on rocky alpine trails.

On day one we will hike on the Snowgrass Trail, take the bypass to the PCT. We will try to find a good place for lunch on the PCT overlooking the Snowgrass Flats. After lunch, we will take back the Snowgrass Trail, shortly thereafter we will follow the Lilly Basin Trail. Finally, we will reach Goat Lake and set up camp.

On the second day we will continue hiking on the Lilly Basin Trail and take an out-and-back detour to the summit of Hawkeye Point. We will trace back so that we take the Goat Ridge Trail back to the trailhead. This makes for 6.7 miles with 1700ft of ascent. The way back has only one water source, which may be dry depending on the weather during the season.  Be ready to carry all your water from camp.

Route/Place

Snowgrass Flat & Goat Lake Basin



  • Green Trails Goat Rocks William O Douglas Wilderness No. 303S

    Green Trails White Pass No. 303

    Green Trails Packwood No. 302

    USGS Hamilton Buttes

    USGS Walupt Lake

    USGS Packwood Lake

    USGS Old Snowy Mountain
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials, plus overnight gear as specified by the trip leader

Trip Reports