Goat Lake Hike on Mountain Loop Hwy

 We heard the weather might clear up in the afternoon, so we decided to head up to Goat Lake on the Mountain Loop Highway in the late morning. This is a 10.4 mile hike with 1,400 ft of elevation gain.

 Near the beginning of the trail, it splits into two options for about 3 miles joining together before Goat Lake. We choose to hike up Lower Elliot and return via Upper Elliot.

This is a pleasant walk in the forest, it has been well maintained.

We could see Elliot Creek rushing downstream though the trees.

 There were several small streams running across the trail that were not difficult to cross.

 Amongst the white alders, there are some large cedar trees.

 A few more streams running over the trail.

After the two trails rejoin, the trail begins to ascend. After a couple of switchbacks, there is an old spur trail that leads out to Elliot Creek where we could see the water cascading down a small falls.















Back on the trail, there was a small clearing up along the trail where we could see some of the nearby snow covered peaks. We were happy to see blue sky!

 Elliot Creek just below Goat Lake.

Goat Lake as seen from the outlet (there is a large log jam here)

View of Goat Lake a little further up the trail.

View of Goat Lake from the day use area. Nice place for a lunch break!

 A couple of waterfalls near Goat Lake.

 We returned via the Upper Elliot Trail, where there were some small waterfalls,

















some are hidden in the trees.

We enjoyed our hike today!

We also found a weeping wall. There was lots of water everywhere today.

Some of the flowers we saw in bloom along the trail:

 

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