INCH Hike: Goat Mountain

1313. Goat Mountain (09/29/23)

Hikers (0):
Distance: 6 miles
Rating: 3 difficulty, 7 beauty
Park info: Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument near Cougar

Write-up by Steve -- Pictures by Steve

We were slightly concerned that it would rain, but otherwise, we were all-in for this hike. We carpooled out of Battle Ground, which allowed us to park on the side of the road rather than at the Kalama Horse Camp Campground^†, thus saving 0.1 miles or so. There is another trailhead higher up (on worse roads) that is often used to summit this mountain, but we like to earn our leaves.

The first part of the hike is up the well-used Fossil Trail. Passed a pair of equestrians along the way who were letting their horses rest. Eventually reached the point where a use trail breaks off and heads steeply upward.

Getting close to the steep uphill section of Goat Mountain

This use trail went all the way to the ridgeline without too much confusion. Wouldn't say it is well used, but it's definitely used often enough that the route was never too hard to find. Much of the flagging (tape) had fallen to the ground over the years so put a few pieces higher or in more visible locations.

Along a segment of narrow ridge

Once on the ridge, which was now in the clouds so there wasn't much of a view, we had an occasionally dicey ridge traverse with a few long drops. Much more exhilarating than expected, but never above Class 2. Found the benchmark, took pictures, replaced a geocache, and turned around once everyone made it.

The USGS marker

The route back down was not nearly as bad as we'd expected when going up--the old growth forest provides lots of soft soil to fall on if it comes to that. Jarda bounded down the trail like a Czech Legolas.

Almost back to the cars

Back at the car we had a mini party and then drove back to Battle Ground where we missed happy hour appetizers by 2 minutes, but at least got the beers for $3 a pint. Such a deal! Cowlitz County HP in the bag.

^†That's really the name of the campground--it's a campground for camping with horses.

Milestones:
Highest point in Cowlitz, WA county