This section of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) is a real treat. You leave the heights of Mt Adams slopes at around 6000ft and drop down into mixed pine forest filled with a lush groundcover of Blueberries and Huckleberries. Fresh fruit along a long trail is such a luxury.

After running low for many miles the dusty trail starts gaining altitude again and you start to see some big peaks rising to the East. After complaining about the dust created by horses I read in the guidebook how much of the area was covered by the 1980 Mt St Helens eruption. I remember this spectacular occasion vividly where 2000ft of mountain was blown across the area in a massive volcanic display.

Soon the icing on the cake appears when the 7000ft high trail takes you next to Old Snowy Mountain and the Packwood Glacier. A constant rain of rock debris can be heard below the trail reminding hikers to watch where they step. I would imagine this area is pretty treacherous during the winter months.

Next you are taken along 'the knife edge ridge' which was simple on the day I went over but on a windy day I reckon you would be reduced to crawling along the rock. The ridge is shown below.

On the last morning out I spotted rock debris coming down in front of me from somewhere above and I soon realised that a number of white goats were responsible for the stone shower. Sadly the drizzle prevented me taking good pictures but I did capture them on video.

In fact I have a mass of Blue-Ray quality video from this trip and hope to turn it into a film or documentary of sorts on my return.

The Goat Rocks Wilderness is certainly a place worth visiting