Goat Marsh Research Natural Area 1/31

[BeaverDawg]

Due to the beautiful weather and ugly snow pack we decided to check out a new trail up at Mt. St Helens. We started from Kalama Horse Camp following Toutle Trail 238 to Kalama Ski Trail 231 to Goat Marsh 237A and proceeded on into the marsh. What a little gem that area is. Not a bit of snow to be found and only minimal ice in the shady areas of the lakes. Saw three other people and 12 Elk. The Goat Marsh was very quiet an relaxing, except for the dudes firing their semi-automatic rifles at the quarry below the Horse Camp. Lame! Regardless it was a great day. 9.2 miles and roughly 1,500 cumulative EG.

On with the pictures:

Opening pic

Herd of 12 Elk swamping around

The Mountain from the first lake

Much of the forested areas are carpeted with moss.

There are a couple large eroded areas. Nature at work.

[-Q-]

The Goat Marsh is super awesome.
Such a great area

[Splintercat]

Cool report - thanks for posting! Love that last shot (of boots hanging over the abyss)..!

Tom

[Crusak]

That's a great spot. I ended up there after encountering too much snow on the... Cinnamon Trail? just south of Goat Marsh. It was our bailout hike. Nice pictures! Amazing that access is still possible this time of year.

[romann]

Nice pictures of the lake, great to have this area accessible in winter. Did you see if the road past Kalama Horse Camp was open?

[BeaverDawg]

Did you see if the road past Kalama Horse Camp was open?

It was not open. It is gated a few hundred feet past the horse camp. It's a bummer because all the TH's along that road are snow free and many of the trails in the blue lake area look to be relatively hikeable (although I have not been up there.)