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Eastern Goat Rocks backpack (3 days, 2 nights)

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Larry K.
Eastern Goat Rocks backpack (3 days, 2 nights)

Details

In 2023 we did a group backpack to this area only on that trip we set up camp at Surprise Lake and day hiked from there on our 2nd day. This time around, as we discussed last time, the plan is to continue past Surprise Lake a couple of miles and make our base camp up on the higher plateau near Conrad Creek. Although Surprise Lake was very nice and had a nice camp area the beauty of the high plateau was striking. We can still hike to Warm Lake on our middle day or perhaps Cold Lake or just lounge around if we’re so inclined. Part of the last mile is quite steep but we don’t need to charge up quickly, we’ll simply take whatever time we need to scale that last pitch. Far fewer people visit the Goat Rocks Wilderness from its eastern approach than from the more popular western approach (which leads to Snowgrass Flats) so we should encounter fewer other hikers. The crossing of Conrad Creek, although not deep or very fast flowing, might entail wading across. Hikers should consider taking some sort of creek crossing footwear in case we can’t find suitable rocks to hop across.

Bear canisters are not required (although perfectly acceptable) but proper food storage is required. I plan to take an Ursack which should be sufficient. Bear bag hangs are not acceptable as the trees at that location are not well suited for that purpose, too small and the branches all slope downwards.

Distance: +/-17 miles round trip (not counting any day hike mileage on day 2)
Elevation gain: +/-2,000 feet
Pass: NW Forest Pass or Senior Pass
Privy: At the trailhead but of course it's trees and bushes after that
WTA Link: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/surprise-lake-2
This link is only to Surprise Lake which is the first 6.5 miles of our hike in, we’ll go 2 miles past Surprise Lake for our base camp.

Time: Be at the Conrad Meadows trailhead by 9:30 AM, ready to hike shortly thereafter.

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Conrad Meadows Trailhead
46.50876, -121.28095 · Packwood, WA
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