White Pass Scenic Byway
Goat Rocks Wilderness Area, WA

A portion of the Cascade Mountain Range, Goat Rock Wilderness is an alpine wonderland. This area is the remnants of a large volcano that has been extinct for about two million years. Erosion has worn away the peaks, but the volcano once stood over 12,000 feet in elevation. The remaining cluster of rocks and peaks has become known as Goat Rocks because of the groups of mountain goats that live here.

The terrain is mountainous with elevations ranging from 3,000 feet to 8,201 feet on Gilbert Peak. A 120-mile system of trails exists mostly above the timberline providing striking alpine scenery. Many of the trails remain impassable until July because the snow generally accumulates to more than 25 feet. When the snow is almost melted entirely in August, a great many of ponds and lakes dot the area, providing park-like meadows with ponds in their centers. This 105,600-acre wilderness is open for various recreation activities, such as hiking, camping and horseback riding and includes portions of the Pacific Crest Trail.