Goat Rocks
the Goat Rocks is part of Berry Patch, United States.Top photos chosen by u all:
Made by another story
this was such a beautiful day, but makes me a nip sad to look at this photo now. this was the last time i went solo hiking, something i love with a passion, but have stopped doing...at least for the time being. i have spent countless hours both with friends and on my own outdoors in the last 10 years. i have always been ultra careful going solo...telling at least 2 people my plans, taking more than enough gear along in case of the unplanned night out, have some training in wilderness medicine and basic mountaineering, consider myself to be in reasonably good shape, and just plain reasonable...blah, blah, blah. yet the horrific kidnapping and murder of meredith emerson while she was hiking with her dog in georgia late last year gave me great pause. she was an experienced hiker, trained in martial arts, and sounded to be in fine physical condition. but what does any of that matter if you run into a psychopath in the woods? apparently not much. her murderer has admitted to singling her out because she was alone and she was female. and while he spends the rest of his life in prison, her parents are left without their daughter. her friends without their friend. and all of them left instead trying not to imagine what the last 3 days of her life must have been like. so at the pleading of friends and family, i haven't been out alone since. and i haven't wanted to in nearly the same way. reading the story of this young girl's ordeal, i kept thinking over and over, that could have been me. that could have been me so easily. why her and not me? i can't pretend to answer such an insane question, but if nothing else for right now i can make sure i don't put myself in the position to have to ask it again. i don't think the peace i had found alone in the mountains would ever be quite the same anyway. lord have mercy on that dear girl's family.
goat rocks
Made by another story
just a small portion of the vista that awaited me on the upper ridge line of a fantastic hike in the goat rocks wilderness. a bit of a steep trail (1500 ft gain in the first 1.5 miles), but completely worth it. i followed along in the snowy footprints of mountain goats for the last half of the climb. they make it look so easy! this trail gets heavy use in the peak summer climbing season, but on a late october sunday, i was the only one for miles and miles. not a bad way to spend a sunday afternoon...
goat rocks vista
Made by another story
from a perfect, perfect day in the goat rocks wilderness last fall. will be headed out to this neck of the woods tomorrow with the new gear, can't wait to see what the weather will allow to happen. i do rather love this mountain.
Campsite
Made by Adrasteia9
Goat Lake at about 1300 ft. (6.5 miles into our hike) Snowgrass Lily Basin Goat Ridge Loop (The South Cascades)
Mt Adams
Made by Adrasteia9
Snowgrass Lily Basin Goat Ridge Loop (The South Cascades)
Nearest places of interest:
| Takhlakh lake Mt. Adams Wapato, WA | White Pass Ski Area Rimrock Lake Packwood Lake Packwood |
