Goat Rocks Wilderness

The Goat Rocks section of the PCT is widely regarded as the single most spectacular stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington state, traversing an exposed volcanic ridge system with views of Mount Rainier to the north, Mount Adams to the south, and Mount Hood in Oregon to the southeast. The centerpiece is the Knife Edge, a narrow ridge of crumbling andesitic volcanic rock at approximately 7600 feet where the trail narrows to less than two feet wide with precipitous drops on both sides.

The Goat Rocks are the eroded remnant of an ancient stratovolcano, and the multicolored rock layers visible on the ridge faces tell a geological history spanning millions of years. The route passes through Old Snowy Mountain, a 7930-foot summit that can be bagged via a short side trail directly from the PCT. Mountain goats, the wilderness namesake, are frequently seen on the rocky cliffs and snowfields throughout the area.

The standard point-to-point runs from Walupt Lake Trailhead at the southern end to White Pass on US-12 at the northern end, requiring a shuttle or two vehicles. The section crosses several permanent snowfields even in late summer, and an ice axe is advisable before mid-August when crossing Old Snowy and the Knife Edge snowfields. No wilderness permit is required for the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Water sources are abundant from snowmelt streams throughout the route. The PCT through Goat Rocks is typically clear of snow by late July.