Goat Lake Trailhead / Elliott Creek

Josh Chen

The scene was very pretty with blue sky and the water is crystal clear. There are several spot you can dip you toes and I saw people floating with tubes on water. The trail is not difficult (low elevation) but takes time (10.5 miles). The lower trail has shade most of the time so you may not need a cap. A lot of people camp here but you may want to prepare bear prevention stuff (a big warning sign at the trailhead). Overall, it is a nice hike which takes around 5 hours for round trip.

Mike R

If there is a perfect hike this would be it. 5 stars in all aspects from the great trail tread to the excellent stream views and the lake with overlooking mountains. Camp area great too tho didn't camp there yet. Trail on east side of the lake does peter out eventually but close to it's end the best views are afforded of the mountains. Small glacier up top. Spotted a snake, frog, fancy looking shrooms, and heard a pika in the rocks on west side. Not many people was a plus. The only very slight issue is small parking area at trailhead so weekend could get tight. Toilet in great shape. Be prepared for about 12 miles total depending how you do it...lower vs upper elliot.

Jerome Acosta

Beautiful hike family friendly has good camping spots for an easy out and back backpacking trip unfortunately very busy though. So if you don't mind crowds it's nice but if you do like me I'd stay away from it anywhere in the summer or on weekends especially! The trail about a half a mile in splits to lower and upper Elliot. Lower runs by the river has a bunch of wood bridges and a lot of up and down elevation. Nice if you want the sound of the river the whole time. Upper is way more chill gradually goes up hill some bigger trees down but nothing that you can't get under over or around. Very quiet and peaceful. I'd take upper Everytime! The lake is amazing anytime of year sunny or overcast! Lots of waterfalls on the right side as you near the top to the lake. All of them are worth going to check out.

James Ekstrom

As of May 23 the road from the south is closed about 4 miles from the trailhead road. So prepare to hike on the road before hiking on the trail. But it probably cut down on the crowd a bit. Some trees down over much of the trail. The lower trail has large trees down over it so we had to double back and take the upper, which was more navigable. Not as cold as I was expecting spending the night by Goat Lake, but still a little chilly this time of year. Plenty of fresh streams and waterfalls to enjoy, and great mountain views. Some parts of the trail get a little muddy, but otherwise the trail is good walking. Great spot for camping for the weekend if you don't mind a bit of walking along the closed road for a bit.