Hike description: This hike in Mount Rainier National Park is a 13-mile trek if you start within the park. But there is a backdoor route, starting in the Glacier View Wilderness just west of the park that takes you by Goat Lake and cuts almost 6 miles off the trip.
A few steps from the parking lot is the junction of Trails 267 (Glacier View) and 248. Take Trail 248, to the right, through Beljica Meadows. In 0.9 miles, follow Trail 248 left toward Goat Lake. In 1.4 miles you will be at Goat Lake, with campsites along the lake. Continue on Trail 248, crossing into the park in 0.4 miles.
Inside the park, the trail will take you in a half mile to the Gobblers Knob trail junction. Go left at this junction and in another 0.4 miles, you will be at the knob, your lunch destination. Rest and refuel your body as you take in the views of Mount Rainier, Mount Wow and everything between you and the horizon.
Directions: Drive state Route 706 toward Mount Rainier National Park and go through the town of Ashford. At 3.8 miles past Ashford, turn left on Copper Creek Road (Road No. 59), just before Copper Creek Inn and the 11-mile marker. Road 59 will take you to the trailhead parking lot at 45,00 feet, 9.1 miles from the highway.
Difficulty rating: 2 (1 is easiest, 5 is most difficult)
Miles round-trip: 7.2
Elevation: 1,000 feet
Best time of year: July through October
Map: Green Trails 269-Mount Rainier West
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass at this trailhead
Also: The 10 essentials, including adequate food, water and clothing for the trip should always be in your pack. Practice leave no trace by staying on the trails to minimize resource damage and by packing out your own trash, as well as any trash that others leave behind.
Info: Check the park and Gifford Pinchot National Forest websites for current trail, road and permit information: nps.gov/mora or fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/wilderness; “Day Hiking Mount Rainier,” Mountaineers Books.
Hike of the Week is presented by The Mountaineers Tacoma Branch Hiking/Backpacking Committee.
