Goat Marsh Lake Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Goat Marsh Lake Trailhead
- End point: Goat Marsh Lake
- Hike type: In and out
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 80 feet
- High point: 2,915 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Summer into Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
This short hike into the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area allows you to encounter a variety of natural habitats in a rather small area: a Mt. St. Helens pyroclastic layer reforested with lodgepole pine; massive old growth, most notably of noble fir; and relatively young wetlands, formed about 400 years ago along the base of Goat Mountain when pyroclastic flows blocked Coldspring Creek, which essentially "disappears" into this marshy area. There are two areas of open water which have earned the name "lake." The massive noble fir groves here are equaled on the planet only by stands of coast redwoods in density of wood biomass. As this is a scientific research area, only the minimum disturbance of keeping to the hiking trail is permitted.
From the Goat Marsh Lake Trailhead, walk on a wide track heading down an old road bed among lodgepole pines, pass a horse detour, and clamber in and out of a washed out gully before reaching the Goat Marsh Lake-Kalama Ski Trail Junction. Take the Goat Marsh Trail #231A. Head gently up in lovely old growth forest and pass through a split rail fence where signs announce the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area among old growth Douglas-fir, noble fir, silver fir, and western hemlock. The trail here can be muddy in the wet season. See the marsh to the right and then the small expanse of water that is the first open body of water in Goat Marsh Lake, rimmed by old growth and oval-leaf blueberries. Pass along the western shore of the lake, coming to the sign that says you’re entering the Research Natural Area. The trail continues along the shore of the lake, becoming more indistinct, passes along the edge of a wet meadow with a view of Mount Saint Helens, and reaches the second open expanse of water in the wetland. Note that trees along the edges of the wetlands have been killed by a rising waterline due to beaver dams.
Return the way you came. This short hike can be done as a family excursion or part of a longer day to be combined with hikes like the Fossil Trail Loop Hike, Sheep Canyon Loop Hike, or Cinnamon Ridge Loop Hike. A slightly longer excursion can be had by beginning at the Kalama Ski Trailhead.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Restricted area: Keep to the trail. No horses or motorized vehicles.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA #332S
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & Administrative Area
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount St. Helens - Mt. Adams
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Goat Marsh Lake Hike
- Goat Marsh Lakes, 9/16/2023
- Cinnamon Ridge attempt & Goat Marsh, 7/1/2022
- The worlds largest Christmas Trees. Goat Marsh - Toutle Trail - Red Rock pass
- Goat Marsh MSH 12/15/2019
- Goat Marsh 8/9 and 8/16/15
- Goat Marsh Research Natural Area 1/31
- 5/12/13 Goat Marsh Research Area Hike
- 5/29/12 Goat Marsh Lake Hike (MSH) Second Try - SUCCESS!
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Goat Marsh Lake Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hiking: Mount St. Helens by Craig Romano & Aaron Theisen
- A FalconGuide to Mount St. Helens by Fred Barstad
- Hiking the Gifford Pinchot Backcountry by the Columbia Group Sierra Club
More Links
- Goat Marsh Research Natural Area (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service)
- Mount Saint Helens | Goat Marsh RNA (Conifer Country)
- Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Goat Marsh Research Natural Area (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)