Goat Rocks Wilderness

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Goat Rocks Wilderness

Goat Rocks Wilderness is a protected area in Washington state. It covers about 108,000 acres in the Cascade Range, south of Highway 12, and spans parts of the Okanogan–Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot national forests. The land’s most striking feature is the Goat Rocks—rugged peaks named after the mountain goats that live there.

A long-ago volcano helped shape the landscape, but it has eroded over millions of years. The peaks now average around 7,000 feet, and the highest point is Gilbert Peak at 8,184 feet. Glaciers sit on the northern sides of some peaks, including Packwood, McCall, Conrad, and Meade. The wilderness is drained by the North and South Forks of the Tieton, plus the Cispus and Cowlitz rivers. The lowest spot is near Packwood Lake at about 2,920 feet.

History: The area was first protected as Goat Rocks Primitive Area in 1931, starting with about 44,500 acres. It grew over the years and became Goat Rocks Wild Area in 1940. When the Wilderness Act passed in 1964, it became a formal wilderness area. In 1984, additional land was added. The U.S. Forest Service manages the area to preserve its wild character while allowing public use.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes through Goat Rocks. The Washington portion of the trail was completed in 1935 and became part of the PCT in 1968. The Yakama Indian Reservation borders the southeast side of the wilderness and is mostly closed to the public, except for access along the trail.