Winthrop, Washington

 Native Americans were the first inhabitants of Winthrop.  In 1883, the lure of gold brought the first permanent white settlers

Chewuch River

At 6,254 feet, Blue Lake sits quietly a little over two trail miles from Highway 20. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and of course the beautiful mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for the sky.  With only 1,050 feet of elevation gain this hike is doable. 

Nice foot bridge

Okanogan National Forest

Look at what Dave spied down the mountain slope.

A mama and two babies

She sees us now

Established July 16, 1894

Looks like recent miners have modernized things a bit

Nice waterfall in the distance

Road not maintained for cars or trucks.

The mosquitoes were thick here.  I got three bites getting out to take this picture.

Never a good thing to find on your trail.  On to plan B.

Shady lunch spot along the Chewuch River

Falls Creek Falls  

Explore an easy, gently graded trail to Falls Creek Falls. The first waterfall is just a quarter-mile from the trailhead and is accessible via a paved trail.

If your thirst for falling water isn't quenched by just one, follow a gentle switchback from the lower viewpoint to the top of the first falls. Here you can enjoy views of an upper falls in addition to the water rushing over the rocks that creates the lower falls.

Bull Trout

A rare resident

Grouse

I hear they taste like chicken.

If you look closely there is a fire lookout on the top of the mountain in the center of this photo.  That's where we are headed today.

Goat Peak here we come

We need to hike the last 1.75 miles with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet.

I don't know, that looks like more than 1.75 miles.  Just sayin.

The trail begins in subalpine forest opening up to the occasional meadow of wildflowers. 

In two thirds of a mile, you reach a steep section that is mercifully but brief.

After another two thirds of a mile and 800 vertical feet, the lookout comes into sight.

Getting closer

Rising to a height of 6,995 feet, Goat Peak and its historic fire lookout comprise the most prominent landmark in the Methow Valley, visible from almost anywhere between Mazama and Winthrop.  While the trail to its summit may inflict a little pain during its early steep stretches, you soon gain sweeping views from the floor of the valley to the tops of the airy summits of the North Cascades.

We found a nice shady spot for a needed rest.

The current Goat Peak L-4 cab on a 15' timber tower was constructed in 1950.

Goat Peak had been staffed every year until 2014.  Though Goat Peak was no longer seasonally staffed, it was still actively maintained by the Forest Service and used as-needed during times of emergency or severe weather.  After a 7 year break, today the lookout is being staffed again.  We got to visit with the young lady working it.

Hope our girl spotted this one.