On 4/22/12 we attempted to hike from the Kalama Horse Camp to Goat Marsh Lake and wasn't able to complete it due to high snow and no snow shoes. At that time we didn't make it very far on the Toutle River Trail before having to turn around. Even though it stills seemed a bit too soon and early in the season we decided to try again!
So here we are again at the Kalama Horse Camp, but this time it is open for the Memorial Day weekend. We parked in a day use area that is very close to the Toutle Trail #238 TH.
Thebeginning of the trail is a bit convoluted so please let me know if you want the GPX file for guidance? You will basically follow the Toutle Trail #238 as it climbs along a ridge that follows the Toutle River. After 1.5-2miles you will hike along a slide area that has some nice views!
At about 2.5miles out, and at 2500ft of elevation, we noticed the lack of snow cover that stopped us on the previous visit!
And what the same area looked like about 1month ago!
Continuing our hike we intersected the Kalama Ski Trail #231 and turned left at this junction.
We were travelling NE now and met several people on horses that warned us of high snow further on down the ski trail. They indicated that the horses were postholing up to their knees, so they turned around. Did this surprise us? They were on very large horses, and adding their weight certainly didn't help! We figured it would be okay based on their info.
Continuing on the ski trail we crossed 1 road and 1 stream before getting to NF-81.
On NF-81, which was completely snow free and in good shape, there was a large parking area on the north side of the road. There is also a partially defaced sign indicating the continuation of the ski trail.
If you want a short hike to Goat Marsh Lake, then this is an area to park. However, there is a larger parking area just north of the sign that is surrounded by trees! These areas are accessible now, and we saw a truck on the road!
Continue to hike up from NF-81 and at the end of the second secluded parking lot is another sign for the trail. In a short distance the ski trail opens up into a much wider path that is easily followed.
As we hiked the snow started to show on the trail!
We met an older gentleman (only hiker we met that day) who had been backpacking in the Mt. St. Helens area for several days. He mentioned that there wasn't any snow in the Goat Marsh Lake area! That sounded good to us.
And as we continued it completely covered the trail, but was easy to follow! The snowline was at about 2900ft!
We continued to hike until we reached a sign that guided us to the Goat Marsh Lake Research Area, and turned left.
In about 1/2 mile we reached the gate for the research area!
We started hiking up the trail leading to the lakes and found there was nothing but snow everywhere! What did this hiker mean by no snow?
Following what were likely his footsteps, and the blue diamond shape ski markers, we finally reached the first spectacular view of the day!
Travelling clockwise around the lake area we stopped to take a picture from the snow covered shore.
And as we hiked over some snow covered areas to bare ground we stopped again to admire the view from an area between the lakes! You can see the base of Mt. St. Helens in this picture but imagine the view on a clear day!!
We finally reached the second lake area of the Marsh!
TR continued on next reply post!
5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
- mileagemike25000
- Posts: 475
- Joined: February 8th, 2012, 7:40 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
- mileagemike25000
- Posts: 475
- Joined: February 8th, 2012, 7:40 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Continuing from the original post.
Reaching the second lake area we had a great view of Goat Mt.! We reached a rotted tree across the trail and didn't see much trail beyond this point, so we turned around. On the way back I took this photo that shows Mt St. Helens in the background. Oh, did I forget to mention that we saw a small herd of elk in the trees beyond the 1st marsh area? Unfortunately, the beauty of the Goat Marsh Lake Research Area can't be described by these pictures!
The hike was 8.8miles with about 900ft of elevation gain. Have a great hike and please help keep this gem pristine!
Reaching the second lake area we had a great view of Goat Mt.! We reached a rotted tree across the trail and didn't see much trail beyond this point, so we turned around. On the way back I took this photo that shows Mt St. Helens in the background. Oh, did I forget to mention that we saw a small herd of elk in the trees beyond the 1st marsh area? Unfortunately, the beauty of the Goat Marsh Lake Research Area can't be described by these pictures!
The hike was 8.8miles with about 900ft of elevation gain. Have a great hike and please help keep this gem pristine!
- mattisnotfrench
- Posts: 1318
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: SE Portland
- Contact:
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Cool report! That sounds like a neat hike.
For whatever reason that area holds snow lower and later than anywhere else I can think of. I have no idea why.
For whatever reason that area holds snow lower and later than anywhere else I can think of. I have no idea why.
Author of Extraordinary Oregon!, PDX Hiking 365, 101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region, and Off the Beaten Trail. Website: www.offthebeatentrailpdx.com
-
- Posts: 267
- Joined: October 5th, 2010, 10:43 pm
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Another great TR and series of images, Mike. And thanks for the reconnaissance report .
mm25000: "And as we hiked over some snow covered areas to bare ground we stopped again to admire the view from an area between the lakes! You can see the base of Mt. St. Helens in this picture but imagine the view on a clear day!!"
Uh oh. Cat's out of the bag .
mm25000: "And as we hiked over some snow covered areas to bare ground we stopped again to admire the view from an area between the lakes! You can see the base of Mt. St. Helens in this picture but imagine the view on a clear day!!"
Uh oh. Cat's out of the bag .
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
The other hiker probably meant that the lake itself was open water and not frozen.
- mileagemike25000
- Posts: 475
- Joined: February 8th, 2012, 7:40 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Matt - Thanks and I highly recommend putting this on the must-do list! It is amazing how much snow is still there at this time. This area does seem to be in the shadow of Goat Mt., keeping it from direct sun.
Sasquatch22 - I appreciate the kind feedback! From my understanding this area has always been open to the public, but only to hikers. I wouldn't expect much traffic due to this report since not many people in PH'ers appear to read about the less traveled locations and only a fraction of them will make the trip! For the few that do they will be in for a treat.
Dean - Yeh, we figured he meant the marsh when we finally arrived at the shoreline and followed it around. However, we didn't expect the trail between the research area gate and the Goat Marsh Lake shore to be completely snow covered, but we weren't completely surprised based on the trail condition up to the research area boundary! He really didn't go into detail so our interpretation of his comments was up for grabs!
Sasquatch22 - I appreciate the kind feedback! From my understanding this area has always been open to the public, but only to hikers. I wouldn't expect much traffic due to this report since not many people in PH'ers appear to read about the less traveled locations and only a fraction of them will make the trip! For the few that do they will be in for a treat.
Dean - Yeh, we figured he meant the marsh when we finally arrived at the shoreline and followed it around. However, we didn't expect the trail between the research area gate and the Goat Marsh Lake shore to be completely snow covered, but we weren't completely surprised based on the trail condition up to the research area boundary! He really didn't go into detail so our interpretation of his comments was up for grabs!
- Sean Thomas
- Posts: 1647
- Joined: February 25th, 2012, 11:33 pm
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Mike, thank you for your continued reports and solid info on trail intersections/conditions as you hike your 25,000 miles. I wanted to go up to Goat Marsh Lake 3 or 4 weeks ago but am happy to see conditions from your tr's for now. Maybe put it on the docket for next month
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Thanks Mike! I hiked around there last year while recovering from a broken foot. I accessed the area from much further up the road, so I didn't have to put too many miles in. I was drawn there by reports I'd read about the Noble Fir groves in the Research Area (and of course the hopes of seeing a goat! ). I swear I read somewhere that the tallest known Noble Fir is there, but I can't seem to confirm that fact via google and I'm pretty sure I didn't see it, though there are some giant old growths up there...
Anyway, great pics and TR as always!
Anyway, great pics and TR as always!
- mileagemike25000
- Posts: 475
- Joined: February 8th, 2012, 7:40 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Sean - Thanks! I'm glad to hear that the information is valuable and plan on continuing to make the effort. Hopefully you can plan a trip there when there is a clear view of Mt. St. Helens? I'm looking forward to your TR after the visit!
airoff - Sorry to hear you broke your foot and hope it is fully healed! I know everything in the area seems to have the name Goat in it, but without sounding naive, have goats been sighted here? There were some nice old growth trees there but I wasn't aware of a giant Noble Fir in the area. If there is such a tree I would think the forest service would keep its location hidden/undocumented for fear of heavy hiker traffic that would affect the ecosystem and their research!
airoff - Sorry to hear you broke your foot and hope it is fully healed! I know everything in the area seems to have the name Goat in it, but without sounding naive, have goats been sighted here? There were some nice old growth trees there but I wasn't aware of a giant Noble Fir in the area. If there is such a tree I would think the forest service would keep its location hidden/undocumented for fear of heavy hiker traffic that would affect the ecosystem and their research!