We did a wonderful 3 day backpacking trip in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area (overall 26 mile and 5,400 ft of gain. The first day we started at the Snowgrass Trailhead, hiked up the Snowgrass Trail to the Bypass Trail up to the PCT, went north for 0.8 mile to set up camp. Then we took lighter packs and hiked out to Cispus Basin and back to camp for the night. About 10.2 miles and 2,400 ft of gain. The first couple of miles are in the woods and are fairly flat until after crossing Goat Creek on a wooden bridge, then the trail starts gaining elevation.
We went by a meadow filled with bog orchids.
At 3.6 miles from the trailhead, we reached Snowgrass Flats and opted to take the 1 mile Bypass Trail up to the PCT. Now we were hiking in a mixture of forest and meadows. Lots of paintbrush in bloom.
pink monkeyflowers in bloom along a stream
meadow filled with lupine and paintbrush
On reaching the PCT, we headed north for about 0.8 mile to a camp site where we set up camp and left most of our supplies secured.
Smokey view of Mt Adams to the south. Meadow filled with bistro.
Taking lighter packs, we headed back south on the PCT into Cispus Basin (5 mile round trip). Ives Peak in the background
There were lots of wildflowers and butterflies.
The trail crosses a waterfall.
We hiked up through the basin to Cispus River, enjoying the wildflowers in bloom along the trail.
There were several small streams along the way that were lined with wildflowers.
Cispus River coming down from Ives Peak.
Cispus River is a great place to soak our feet.
Paintbrush and other wildflowers were in bloom along Cispus River.
We then slowly sauntered back along the PCT soaking in the vies and the wildflowers.
We stopped at the waterfall to filter water to take back to camp
Then it was a relaxing hike back to camp, this area is so beautiful!
Sunset over camp
No comments:
Post a Comment