Goat Lake via Alpine Way Trail and Trail 640
3.9 mi
Distance
1 hrs 57 min
Time
terrain
1,503 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a spur trail of the Alpine Way trail which leads to Goat Lake. The section on the Alpine Way trail is relatively even and well maintained. The final push to the lake is very steep and sandy, multiple use trails go up the steep section over the granitic rocks.
This trail goes by Iron Creek Trailhead.
Getting Started
Parking is provided at the irongate trailhead, which is a very popular trailhead.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Ran into snow while attempting Horton Lookout(June 24th) at 8800', so diverted to Goat lake. Super nice hike, water crossing (waded on the way in, used a log on the way out).
Last mile or so involved some slippery scrambling, but nothing too bad. The last 1/2 mile is a boulder field, since the regular trail was still snowed in. It looked like there was still a little bit of scrambling on the trail, but...
Lovely lake, just coming ice off. A little open water near the edge. Ended up being a +9 mile day according to my Forerunner, but...
My wife, our dog and I really liked the hike.
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We are vacationing in the area. One of the local purveyors told us about this hike. The first three miles of the trail are normal dirt paths with moderate incline. The paths are easily followed although not marked. After that the level of effort increases as you climb up a steeper slope consisting mostly of scree for maybe a quarter of a mile. The final section involves climbing over talus where the ascent is minimal but the effort still significant. Goat Lake is beautiful, probably in the top 5 pristine and scenic mountain lakes I’ve ever seen. The final section of scree and talus can require some detective work to figure out and Gaiagps was very helpful in that regard. Providing you don’t mind the investigative work I think you’ll be very happy you made the effort.
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