I made this day hike in a clockwise loop, starting at a parking area by the bridge over Fryingpan Creek. Following the Wonderland Trail towards Summerland, I crossed the log bridge over Fryingpan Creek at 3.4 miles, then continuing another 4/10 mile to where the trail heads south and starts a steep climb towards Summerland. I left the trail here, following a clear use trail through thick trees and brush down to Fryingpan Creek and immediately crossed over to the other side. From here I followed the wide, rocky drainage channel uphill heading towards an obvious meadow below a saddle on the west ridge of Goat Island Mountain. After 1/2 mile, I left the creek drainage and headed uphill following a narrow rocky dry creek bed leading directly to the steep meadow. A short climb up the meadow put me at the saddle on the southwest ridge. The distance from where I left the Wonderland to the saddle is approximately one mile. From here I hiked up the ridge plowing through thick trees with only an intermittent goat path available. The trees thin out after 1/3 mile as I began enjoying the rewards of easy hiking and a panoramic view. Another 1.8 miles and I was standing on the highest point of Goat Island Mountain. My GPS stats registered distance as 6.5 miles, elevation gain- 3466’, elapsed time- 4 hours. After a 20 minute lunch break, I headed down the eastern ridge arriving at the top of a large steep bowl.
