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Tremendous
views, great camping, and a near wilderness
experience are yours for a short trip up and
over the Norse Peak ridge into Goat Lake
Basin.
From
Sand Flats Horse Camp follow trail #1191
(Norse Peak Trail) 2.6 miles to the top of
the ridge then descend on trail # 1161 (Goat
Lake Trail) for .6 miles to the first marked
trail heading to Goat Lake. Total length of
this trip is 3.7 miles each way. 
From the Sand Flats
Horse Camp the Norse Peak Trail (#1191)
doesn’t waste any time in climbing towards
great views. You’ll watch the Crystal
Mountain ski slopes falling below you as
make the climb past 13 switchbacks to the
top of the Norse Peak Ridge. At the top of
the Ridge is the intersection with the Goat
Lake Trail (#1161) which you’ll follow down
into the Goat Lake Basin (also known as the
Goat Hole). Should you desire you can also
follow the Norse Peak trail another .7 miles
to the top of Norse Peak proper with a high
point of 6,856 feet. Sites at the ridge top
include tremendous views of the Crystal
Mountain Basin, Goat lake Basin, Mount
Rainier, and generally great vistas of the
central Cascades and Norse Peak Wilderness
areas.
From the ridge top
head down The Goat Lake Trail (#1161) to a
marked trail that heads further down into
the Goat Lake Basin. Once you reach the
basin proper you’ll find many excellent
campsites and the views of the mountains
surrounding you are equally wonderful.
From The Goat Lake
Basin you’ll have access to Goat Lake, and
many other trails heading into the the Norse
Peak Wilderness area as well as the chance
of finding vestiges from the long gone gold
prospecting era.
Getting there:
From Highway 410, (13 miles south of
Greenwater), turn left on Crystal Mountain
Blvd. At 4.3 miles watch for the Sand Flat
Horse Camp entrance on the right.
(Alternately, service road #410 is on the
left and provides limited parking as well,
watch for a sign that says “Half Camp”).
Northwest Forest Passes are required. Dogs
are allowed on these trails.
  
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