Goat Rocks Wilderness Hike

 Will and I took off in September to do our annual backpacking trip together for a few days.  This year we chose the Snowgrass Flats trail, with a loop added on Goat Ridge.  It ended up being about a 23 mile hike, over a 3 day period.  Much of the trail we were on joined up with the Pacific Crest Trail, which Will is standing by one of the markers above.

 The first day, we had to cover some serious ground and elevation because we chosen to leave after church, then drive to the trail head.  We had to do about 3,000 ft in 6 miles and we weren't even positive where we would end up camping. 

 As the sun got lower, we scanned the area for a place to set up camp.  There are a ton of campsites along the PCT in these type areas.  You pretty much just got to find a flat spot.

Just as we were starting to lose hope, we climbed up this ridge and found ourselves on the top of the world, with a nice big flat spot for our tent.  We literally got there with about 45 to cook our dinner and put up our tent.

 .......and watch the sunset.

 So happy to be in the wilderness, backpacking.  We both love it so much.

 In the morning we woke up to another clear day, but there had been fires burning in the area, leaving a ton of smoke in place of what might have been views.

 Our campsite the first night.

 Heading out in the morning, off of our bluff.

 So....we hooked up with a PCT thru hiker named Styles.  He had been on the trail since April 27th (it was now September 17th).  WOW!  We hiked with him for a few hours and asked him a million questions.  He was happy to talk because we were the first people he had seen in days.  He said the carne above was the biggest he had seen since he left at the border of Mexico.

 Much of our trail also allowed horses.

 We took a little day hike off the trail up to the summit of the mountain on the left.

 As we got higher, Mt. Rainer popped into view, though shrouded in smoke.

 It was a bummer with all the smoke, but the following day it got much better.

 At the top of our summit.  7,600 ft.  This part of the trail is the highest part on the PCT, on the entire trail.

 Will doing his usual hiking cheese art.

 We hung out at the top for quite awhile.  Even at that elevation is was beautifully warm and relaxing.

 We were surprised how many different kind of wild flowers were still in bloom in late September.

 I love this type back country.  Grass, trees, open spaces, rocks, snow, water......heaven.

 Our second camp was up in the "bowl" looking area above, which is actually a lake.

 You can see our camp on the bottom left, with the HUGE Mt. Adams as our backdrop. 

 Up at the lake near camp, we watch a HUGE heard of mountain goats eat along the shore line.

 We saw 30+.

 Another few shots of camp.

 Enjoying our dinner and hot chocolate with the sunset.

 It was SUCH a great campsite.  Possible the best we have ever had.

 Complete with a bench window seat.

 We had one goat that hung around until late in the evening.

 This is the next morning, as we are hiking away from camp.  Love all the layers.

 I am a sucker for the beautiful hillsides.

 Love this.

 The shots mostly before are all Mt. Adams, but as we did another summit scramble, we got Rainer to the north as well.  This climb was steep, but incredible to see Rainer and Adams from the same spot.

 Will got this shot of me climbing up a steep section, literally using my hands too.

 That's Mt. Rainer to the north.

 And this is Mt. Adams to the south.  We could also see Mt. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens.

 After that, we did a kind of long trek back out and down to our truck.  Once we decide it's time to go, we hustle out, lol. 

 It was SUCH an awesome hike.  We absolutely loved it and we've had some great ones.  We just never get sick of being in the great outdoors......together. :)