Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Snowgrass Flat & Goat Lake Basin

Berry Patch Trailhead (46.466664, -121.527575) at 7:30.

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: 7.1 mi +2470ft, -780ft [Net gain of  1650ft]

Day 2: 6.7 mi +1718ft, -3390ft [Net loss of  1650ft]

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. This makes for 9.15 miles and 3000ft of ascent.

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.

• Average high: 78F
• Average Low: 42F

Most days in August are sunny, but this place has had rain and snow in August.

My trips tend to have a steady pace with few breaks apart from those for taking in the views or pictures.

Things that might cancel/reschedule the trip:

Thunderstorms, active fires nearby, unhealthy air quality, precipitation of over an inch per day or gale force winds in the forecast.