TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
- sierra_youf
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TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
3 day backpacking trip to Goat Mt. from Copper Creek via Grouse Lake.
There is basically no snow right now in the Sierras and I didn't encounter any on the way to the top.
Most elevation gain is on the copper creek trail. Almost at the top of the highpoint before descending to Granite Lake, you leave the trail north towards Grouse Lake. It is obvious to see where the destination is, but I almost never could find a use trail on the way up.
It took me 6 hrs to get to Grouse Lake. I could enjoy the sun a bit before it got cloudy and cold. Soon it started to rain and there were a few lightnings. So much for 5% chance of precipitation
The night I saw a weird light formation in the sky around 9pm. It was a chain of fast moving light sources, around 10-20 total. But I couldn't hear a sound. Planes are usually very easy to hear. And they were high enough up to vanish behind clouds.
From Grouse Lake it is easiest to follow next to the creek towards the start of the climb. It is straightforward and gentle to follow.
I took the following two routes to Goat Mt:
Yellow on the way up. It is steeper and solid class 2 all the way up. Once close to the ridge, don't attempt to climb the ridge and instead traverse north towards the real peak. I reached the ridge a bit too early and had to do some class 3 moves to continue towards the peak.
Red is the way I took down that starts/end a bit more northern. The upper section is mostly class 2 and the lower section is class 1. The lower parts are more sandy, but not too bad. I recommend going down this way.
The way up: View from top: The second night I slept in the forest below lower tent meadows. Next morning I got up at 4am to drive out early and enjoy the rest of the day - though it felt more like a recovery as I felt very dehydrated and had a slight headache. Sitting at home for a month straight probably didn't help.
There is basically no snow right now in the Sierras and I didn't encounter any on the way to the top.
Most elevation gain is on the copper creek trail. Almost at the top of the highpoint before descending to Granite Lake, you leave the trail north towards Grouse Lake. It is obvious to see where the destination is, but I almost never could find a use trail on the way up.
It took me 6 hrs to get to Grouse Lake. I could enjoy the sun a bit before it got cloudy and cold. Soon it started to rain and there were a few lightnings. So much for 5% chance of precipitation
The night I saw a weird light formation in the sky around 9pm. It was a chain of fast moving light sources, around 10-20 total. But I couldn't hear a sound. Planes are usually very easy to hear. And they were high enough up to vanish behind clouds.
From Grouse Lake it is easiest to follow next to the creek towards the start of the climb. It is straightforward and gentle to follow.
I took the following two routes to Goat Mt:
Yellow on the way up. It is steeper and solid class 2 all the way up. Once close to the ridge, don't attempt to climb the ridge and instead traverse north towards the real peak. I reached the ridge a bit too early and had to do some class 3 moves to continue towards the peak.
Red is the way I took down that starts/end a bit more northern. The upper section is mostly class 2 and the lower section is class 1. The lower parts are more sandy, but not too bad. I recommend going down this way.
The way up: View from top: The second night I slept in the forest below lower tent meadows. Next morning I got up at 4am to drive out early and enjoy the rest of the day - though it felt more like a recovery as I felt very dehydrated and had a slight headache. Sitting at home for a month straight probably didn't help.
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- sekihiker
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- dougieb
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
Wow, so little snow. Glad you had a good time out there and thanks for sharing. It sounds like there was just enough storm to add some excitement!
Those lights you saw in the sky were probably the new starlink internet satellites from an Elon Musk company. I haven't seen them myself but I think it's a bummer that even the night sky is getting less wild every day. Oh well.
Those lights you saw in the sky were probably the new starlink internet satellites from an Elon Musk company. I haven't seen them myself but I think it's a bummer that even the night sky is getting less wild every day. Oh well.
- Wandering Daisy
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
What are the lakes on the second from bottom photo?
- grampy
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
Looks like Lake 10,620 - just west of Kid PeakWandering Daisy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 2:55 pm What are the lakes on the second from bottom photo?
- 7empest
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
Thanks for the trip report! I will be embarking on the Sierra High Route and tackling this section first. Looks beautiful !
- sierra_youf
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
Yes, you're right. That's it! It looked so unreal I had to double check that I am really awake.
Didn't realize they are around like this for a while. Couldn't saw them before although I sleep in a bivy and watch the night sky for multiple hours when out.
- KathyW
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
Great report! I keep wanting to do Goat Mountain and your report provides more incentive.
- TehipiteTom
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Re: TR: Goat Mt. 5/29 - 5/31 2021
One of my favorite lakes in the Sierra, and one of my stops on my first-ever off-tral trip some 30-odd years ago. Lovely in its own right, plus great views up the Muro Blanco from the outlet.grampy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:51 pmLooks like Lake 10,620 - just west of Kid PeakWandering Daisy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 2:55 pm What are the lakes on the second from bottom photo?
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