Chris went hiking September 3, 2011 18.5 miles 3,000 feet gained

Goat Rocks - Walupt Loop to Cispus Pass

2

A planned 2-nighter turned into a day trip. I'm not entirely sure why, but I think I'm just getting hiked out for the year. I still want to make 1,000 miles, though.

Drove up Friday night and did some "car camping" (in the car). I did the Walupt lake loop, adding on Cispus Pass and a little wandering. The basin below Cispus is pretty cool, with several cascading waterfalls that would be a great bushwhack, and what I think is the beginning of the Klickitat River.

Since it was labor day weekend, there were a lot of people out, but all backpackers. Met several PCT thru hikers - I think the beginning of the bunch for the year. Backpackers always seem to be more friendly - I suppose because they are usually more seasoned hikers and/or more interested in hiking, and therefore are really happy to be out there - I don't know.

Not much else to add here. I'm looking forward to going back and doing the northern side of the area.

Walupt Lake The bees were lovin' the white stuff. It must be what's producing nectar right now. Sheep Lake. Saw no sheep. Nor goats. Only deer. In the middle there is a big series of waterfalls that lead to the beginning of the Klickitat. Toward Cispus Pass. Two pretzels were walking down the street. One was basalted.

Trail Talk

2 people have hearted this trip.

Roman · September 9, 2011

You are right about backpackers. On Snowgrass Flats I met several dayhikers who didn't even return "hi" to me, but at that basin yesterday (I call it Klickitat Basin, not sure its real name) there were only backpackers and I just chatted with several of them, they seem friendlier bunch overall.

You really have to add a basin just over Cispus Pass, one of the best views in the Goat Rocks IMO (in the evening light).