Trip Date: August 17, 2018

Goat Island Mountain Summit Loop:  East Ridge to West Ridge

Goat Island Mountain (7288′)
West Goat Island Saddle
Fryingpan Creek Footbridge

Trip Report Summary

Region: Southern Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Mt. Rainier Massif

Area: Mt. Rainier National Park

Starting & Ending Point: Fryingpan Creek Trailhead on Sunrise Road (Elev. 3800 feet)

Way Points: Wonderland Trail junction & East Goat Island Ridge & Goat Island Mountain summit & Point 7186 & Point 7218 & Point 6714 & Southwest Goat Island Saddle & Fryingpan Creek & Wonderland Trail junction (trail hike & off-trail hike & rock scramble)

Summit: Goat Island Mountain (off-trail hike & rock scramble via East Ridge; descent via West Ridge)

Approximate Stats: 11 miles traveled; 3650 feet gained & lost; 6.3 hours elapsed.

Full Trip Report

I had a sunny Friday and a park pass available for a trip down to Mt. Rainier National Park, so I picked Goat Island Mountain as a worthy destination.  Starting at the Fryingpan Creek Trailhead, I hiked up the trail a few dozen yards, then turned right onto the Wonderland Trail and continued for 1/2 mile to a distinct bend in the trail.

At the bend, I stepped off the trail and headed straight up the mountain’s east ridge.  To my surprise and delight, there was a climber’s path going almost all the way up.  It was faint in places and would frequently split into two or more paths, but it continued up the ridge crest to a high, rocky point.  There, I traversed along the southern flank until able to regain the crest at a saddle.  Although the path faded out, it was easy terrain to the summit (2.5 hours + 3450 feet from TH).  Views of the Emmons Glacier, Little Tahoma Peak, and Cowlitz Chimneys were outstanding!

Rather than descending the same way, I decided to continue hiking westward along the crest.  This was a fairly long traverse that went over several high points, then dropped to a 6400-foot saddle above Fryingpan Creek (1.2 hours from summit).

For a short distance, a well-beaten footpath descended easterly into the creek drainage. When it faded away, I continued down the rocky and grassy draw until reaching the cobbles and boulders of Fryingpan Creek. Lots of boulder hopping led me down to the footlog that crosses the creek, then it was a quick few miles down the Wonderland Trail back to my car, arriving in late afternoon (3.3 hours + 200 feet from summit).

Route Map

Photo Gallery

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