Winter Hike to Goat Lake
Details
Distance
10.4 miles
Elevation Gain
1400 ft
Route Type
Loop
Added by Alex Powell
Distance: 10.4 mile loop. Elevation gain: 1400 ft. Trail follows Upper and Lower Elliot Creek. Fairly gradual ascent through thick forest.
This trail is a perfect winter hike for the average outdoorsmen. Be warned that the most difficult part of this hike is getting to the trailhead in winter. The Mountain-loop highway can be a dangerous drive with black ice, snow, and serious potholes along the way. Take proper precautions like chains or studs if you don't have a 4WD car and drive safely.
Once the trailhead is reached, follow the fairly wide path alongside the Elliot creek. Early in the hike there is a sign indicting direction of either the Lower or Upper Elliott trail. Both lead to the same place so take your pick.
There are many points along the trail where small streams cross over, so use caution when crossing these points. Once the lake is reached, the view is spectacular as you stand at the edge of Goat Lake, which lies inside a small bowl of surrounding peaks.
Know for
Nearby
🌎
Local adventures
Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Darrington.
🏕
Nearby lodging
Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Darrington.
Reviews
Leave a Review
Beautiful Hike
Did this in February one year with my dogs. Awesome! Make sure to check that the gates are open on Mt Loop or you might not be able to get there at all. If there has been a lot of snow and no one has cut a trail it can be difficult in places to find the trail. I always recommend using flagging tape to mark your trail. It snowed all day the day we went up and our tracks were pretty much gone on the way back down.
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
