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GOAT ROCKS
WILDERNESS
Wenatchee National Forest
P.O. Box 811
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 622-4335
Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
6926 E. 4th. Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98668
(206) 750-5000
Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/
The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a unique area
characterized by high alpine terrain and fantastic
scenic views. This 105,802 acre Wilderness
is centered around an ancient volcanic cone
which dominated the area some two million
years ago. Several glaciers originate off
these volcanically created rugged peaks, the
highest of which is Mt. Curtis Gilbert at
8,002 feet elevation. This geological cluster
of rocks and peaks have become known as Goat
Rocks because of the bands of Mountain Goats
which live there.
Goat Rocks Wilderness is located along the
southern Washington Cascade Crest, south of
White Pass (Highway 12) and west of the town
of Packwood. Mt. Rainier National Park is
located northwest of Goat Rocks Wilderness.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs
down the crest of the Goat Rocks Wilderness,
and the highest point on this trail in Washington
State is at Old Snowy Mountain.
Goat Rocks Wilderness was originally
designated as a Forest Service "Primitive
Area" in 1931. This area was expanded
in 1935 and 1940 as Goat Rocks "Wild
Area." The area was designated as
National Forest Wilderness with the passage
of the 1964 Wilderness legislation. Goat
Rocks Wilderness features mountainous
terrain with elevations between 3,000
and 8,201 feet. Much of this area lies
above timberline and provides outstanding
alpine scenery. Elk, mountain goats, marmots,
deer, and a variety of birds reside within
this Wilderness.
Special restrictions: Shoe Lake and Snow
Grass Flats are closed to camping and campfires;
camping is available at Hidden Springs (about
1 mile west of Shoe Lake). Trailhead registration
is required.
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