Hiking Goat Mountain in Chilliwack
Contents
Goat Mountain Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Distance: 13.30Km
Elevation Gain: 1,550m
Highest Elevation: 1,992m
Average Gradient: 23.31%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 10 – 12 Hours
– Moderate: 8 – 10 Hours
– Fast: 7 – 8 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Some easy, low exposure scrambling
Goat Mountain Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°05’53.6″N 121°27’41.8″W
Goat Mountain Overview
Goat Mountain is an infrequently climbed peak on the fringes of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. While Goat Ridge has become quite a popular hike, it does not go to any peak, with Goat Mountain seeing far less traffic due to the added difficulties (on what is already a difficult hike) to get there.
Goat Ridge culminates at the first bump along the south east ridge of Goat Mountain, and the true peak itself looks quite far away from the end of the Goat Ridge trail while covering technical terrain. Even reaching the first bump of Goat Ridge is a difficult hike, so continuing on to the summit is typically left to the most determined and adventurous of parties.
While the route might look quite technical, it’s actually a lot more straightforward than you might think. Much of the route follows a faint trail that can often be well flagged. There is some simple, unexposed scrambling along the way, but nothing that ever really goes beyond Class 2. Most of the route is just hiking along a broad ridge. You will mostly just need to be confident navigating in the backcountry and finding your own way, especially towards the end once any flagging and trail ceases.
One major factor for Goat Mountain is that there are no water sources anywhere along the trail, so you will have to carry it all. Given this is a long day, usually in the middle of summer, you can expect to need significant amounts of water. For reference I took and used 4.5L, but you may even need more than that. You will also want to start as early as possible to avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.
While most people will agree that the views along this trail are rewarding, for most this will be a once and done hike. The entire trail up is incredibly steep, and most of it is on slippery dirt. There are several stretches with ropes and you will be utilizing hands for large portions of the climb and descent back down to prevent slipping. Descending is just as hard as ascending as you are constantly trying to avoid slipping on the loose terrain. You will definitely end this hike a filthy mess, and you may want to consider cleaning off in Post Creek at the end of the hike. If you don’t enjoy involved trails that require frequent use of hands, at times pulling yourself up and lowering yourself down ropes, this is not the hike for you.
The season for Goat Mountain is the summer once the snow has fully melted. This is not a hike you would want to try with snow on the trail, and in fact snow along the ridge may prevent you from continuing. That being said, July to October is the peak season.
Parking for Goat Mountain is 2WD accessible along Chilliwack Lake Road, it’s also possible to use the Lindeman Lake parking lot if you wish. As always when hiking down Chilliwack Lake Road, leave your vehicle empty to reduce the risk of break-ins.
Dogs are welcome on this hike but you may want to consider if they’re capable. It’s a long, hot day with no water sources, so you’d need to carry enough water for both you and your dog, which could be a significant amount. Personally I would suggest leaving the dog at home for this one.
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Is Goat Mountain worthwhile?
Most people looking to summit Goat Mountain in Chilliwack are doing so because they know how difficult it is and they want to challenge themselves. Some have probably completed the Goat Ridge hike and seen the summit, and want to return for it. The views from this peak speak for themselves, but it’s not an easy hike by any means, and the average party will likely feel quite content to stick to the Goat Ridge trail. While the views from Goat Mountain are fantastic, whether they are worth the extra 4 – 5 hours it takes to get there from the ridge is up for debate. This is decidedly a hike for groups that are wanting to challenge themselves.
How difficult is the hike to Goat Mountain?
Goat Mountain is up there as one of the most physically difficult hikes down Chilliwack Lake Road. While its stats may not seem as hard as something like Mount MacFarlane or Williams Peak, it’s just as difficult as those hikes due to the nature of the terrain. The start of this hike is unforgiving in its steepness, then following the ridge to the summit is a slow going affair. For reference, I hiked both MacFarlane and Williams faster than I hiked Goat, despite the fact they both have significantly more elevation gain.
Technically speaking this hike has several challenges as well. The steepness combined with the loose dirt makes for very tedious and careful travel, especially when descending. There are several roped sections on terrain which would likely not be possible to climb without, due to the looseness of the dirt on top of rock beneath your feet. From the end of the Goat Ridge trail to the true summit will require self navigation and several stretches of scrambling. There will also be boulder fields to navigate. While never overly challenging, it all adds up to being a slow and tiring day.
Goat Mountain Route Information
The trailhead for Goat Mountain is from the side of Chilliwack Lake Road, just before the Lindeman Lake parking area. You can park on the side of the road or you can park at Lindeman Lake and hike over. As usual down Chilliwack Lake Road, don’t leave items in your car to reduce the likelihood of break-ins.
The trail begins by running adjacent to Post Creek, which will probably come in useful at the end for washing yourself off as you will be filthy after this hike. Once you begin climbing, almost immediately you will notice how dusty this trail is. The gradient is incessantly steep as well, and shortly ahead you will reach a rope section. The terrain is steep, dusty rock that you would almost certainly slip off without the rope, and you’ll need some upper body strength to pull yourself up it. Footing is plentiful but slick, so you’re somewhat reliant on the rope.
Beyond this rope section it is mostly just steep, dusty hiking. At around the 1,060m mark, you’ll reach the first views of the day, noting a small trail leading off the main trail to the right. Follow it briefly and you’ll reach a small bluff overlooking Lindeman Lake. This is a good place for a break from the relentless climb. The famous Instagram spot will be slightly further along at around 1,200m, with a rocky outcropping pointing out over Lindeman Lake.
Continuing ahead, while still steep, the gradient actually eases off a little now. The trail stays close to the ridge edge, offering multiple viewpoints of Lindeman Lake and Flora Peak behind as you continue ascending. At around the 1,400m elevation mark you’ll reach another viewpoint, this time it’s starting to open up and include Chilliwack Lake as well.
As you continue climbing the trees start to thin out, and you’ll soon reach a boulder field that you’ll need to navigate. At around 1,600m elevation you’ll gain the ridge proper, where the views will now be panoramic, with fantastic views. Following the ridge along there will be some simple ridge hiking with minimal exposure, if any. Soon enough you will top out at 1,660m, where the Goat Ridge trail ends.
Goat Mountain proper will be visible in the distance at the end of the undulating ridge. It will look far away on slow going terrain, but you should be well aware that this was never going to be an easy one. To reach the actual summit and return to this point will be at least 4 – 5 hours depending on your pace, so check your time, your water and food levels, and decide whether to go for it.
If you do continue, you’ll now follow the ridge along, with a couple of narrow spots to navigate. There’ll be some light bush to pass around, but soon you’ll drop off to the west side of the ridge and find a faint trail. This was well flagged when I went, but that might vary year to year.
You’ll soon find a short stretch in the trees, which might involve some light bushwhacking, but you should pick up the faint trail soon enough. Thankfully this ridge doesn’t undulate too much, it’s mostly ascending at a moderate gradient.
At around the 1,780m mark the ridge broadens and becomes open terrain, with plenty of opportunity for exploration. Flagging likely ceases around here, as does any semblance of trail, as you can go whatever way you want at this point. At around 1,820m you’ll need to ascend the final bump before the actual summit. You’ll need to navigate up/down this one yourself, but it’s mostly straightforward. The drop off the other side is a steep one, but if you follow the GPX you should find some straightforward terrain for getting down without any exposure.
The final climb up the peak is a find your own way adventure. A direct attack would likely involve some scrambling, with the easiest route traversing east along a boulder field below the summit, before cutting back west just before the top. This will mostly be steep hiking.
The summit is broad, and you may want to walk around to enjoy all the various viewpoints. Williams, Goetz, Welch and Foley will all be to the west, Northgraves will be to the north, Flora and Wittenberg to the east and Webb/MacDonald/Lindeman will be to the south. You’ll also see Slesse, Rexford and Baker prominently.
Once you’ve finished at the summit, you simply return back the way you came. Traveling back along the ridge won’t be too difficult, but the descent from the ridge back to the trailhead can be just as tough as the ascent on this hike thanks to the loose and steep terrain, so take it slowly and carefully.
When should I hike Goat Mountain?
As noted this is a summer only hike due to the steepness of the trail. You will not want to try this with snow lingering, so realistically July to October is the time to go. You will also want to start this one as early as possible in the day to avoid the worst of the heat, especially if you expect to be on the slower end of the range.
Top Tip
Water management will be a key factor for a successful outing as there is none available on the hike. I used 4.5L, some people may even need more.
Much of the hike is exposed to sunlight, so preparing for this would be important. Hats, sun lotion, long sleeves etc.
Poles will be very useful on this hike to provide balance when descending the slippery, dusty terrain. Some people may want to bring gloves for the ropes as pulling yourself up/lowering yourself down can give you rope burn if you’re not careful.
You will be filthy at the end of the hike, so maybe plan ahead to clean yourself off in Post Creek at the end of the hike. You could also leave some drinks in the creek (make sure they don’t get sent down the creek as garbage) for when you get back, as they will certainly stay cold in the icy water.
