From the intersection with Lost River Road in the community of Mazama, drive eastward along Goat Creek Road for 3.1 kilometres and turn left onto National Forest road 52 (NF-52; 2WD gravel).  This turnoff can also be reached by turning off State Highway 20 just east of the bridge over Methow River and driving 5.3 kilometres westward along Goat Creek Road.  On NF-52, drive 700 metres and pass Goat Creek Sno-Park (free camping in summer with vault toilet).  Continue for another 3.7 kilometres and turn left onto NF-5225 at a junction in a hairpin curve.  Drive for 9.9 kilometres and turn right onto NF-200.  Drive 4.7 kilometres to road's end at the signed trailhead with vault toilet.  A day-use fee ($5 USD) or federal annual pass (Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful) is required to park here.

Zosia and I got off to an early start and easily followed the trail which runs through some brief stretches of forest before rising more steeply up several switchbacks to the north end of the summit ridge.  The north end of the summit ridge already grants far-reaching views, and we took a short detour here to a rocky knob before returning to the trail.  Continuing southward, we veered off the trail again to tag a subsidiary high point and were surprised to discover a geocache stashed there.  We spent a few minutes rummaging through the contents before replacing them and returning to the trail for the final short climb to the fire lookout tower on the summit.

At the tower, Zosia and I were greeted by a female fire lookout and her very friendly dog, Hudson.  We had a pleasant chat with the lady but never learned her name--Chris--until nearly a week later from another female fire lookout.  Furthermore, it would be long after our road trip was over before I realized that Chris is a blogger herself with an excellent website which I have come across several times in the past.  Disappointingly, we learned from Chris that the access road to Harts Pass--a destination we were hoping to visit the following day--was closed as a precaution against the threat of a looming nearby wildfire.

When we finished chatting with Chris and petting Hudson, Zosia and I dropped down a short distance below the south side of the summit to have a snack break.  For our return trip, we climbed back up to the tower and then backtracked along the same trail.  We made it back to the trailhead without any problems, and the subsequent long drive out to Mazama was also uneventful.  We made a point of stopping at Mazama's general store to try some of their much-lauded fresh bakery before moving on.

	The sign at the trailhead includes warnings for bears and rattlesnakes.
	Zosia gets her first glimpse of Goat Peak from the trail.  The summit is not visible here.
	The trail crosses a small plateau before rising in earnest up the forested slope ahead.
	Zosia briefly leaves the trail to gain a knob (G1; 2082 metres) at the north end of the summit ridge.  The fire lookout tower is visible on the summit in the distance.
	Numerous peaks stretch across the western horizon in this view from G1.
	This is looking northwest from G1.
	Here is the view to the north from G1.

Haze from wildfire smoke nearly obscure distant peaks to the east.

 

	Sonny discovers a geocache on a subsidiary high point (2099 metres) along the summit ridge. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia shows off the contents of the geocache.
	Wildfire smoke begins to creep up from the valley to the southeast.

Zosia makes the final push to the top of Goat Peak.

 

	This massive cairn commemorates the people who have manned the Goat Peak fire lookout tower.
	Here is a closer look at the fire lookout tower.  The summit benchmark (2136 metres) is located on the lower concrete step at the foot of the stairs. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia is greeted by the resident lookout's very friendly dog named "Hudson".
	Sonny and Zosia give thumbs up for the views from the top of Goat Peak.
	To the south are Gardner Mountain and pointy North Gardner Mountain.

Of all the peaks surrounding Goat Peak, Silver Star Mountain to the southwest probably garners the most attention.

 

	A couple of larches on Goat Peak have already started to turn golden. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	After the hike, Sonny enjoys some baked goods and refreshments at The Mazama Store located in its namesake community. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance:  6.4 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  4 hours 27 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  411 metres GPX Data