Lost Trail: Angry Mountain

The Goat Rocks Wilderness reputation for stunning scenery is rivaled by major access challenges from downed trees to washed out roads. Decreased access as resulted in over used trails on other, accessible trails.

Angry Mountain. Photo by Rachel Wendling.

Nestled between snow-capped Mount Rainier and Mount Adams, the Goat Rocks’ reputation for stunning scenery and relative proximity to population centers, such as Southwest Washington and Portland, Oregon, draws more adventure-seekers every season. The Angry Mountain Trail was once known as a good way to enter the wilderness and provided hikers with a variety of loop options for their trips.

With hundreds of trees across the trail, the Angry Mountain Trail has been practically inaccessible. The Goat Rocks Wilderness also exemplifies the challenges presented by dwindling public investment. As more forest roads succumb to washouts and storm damage, more people are being driven to an ever-dwindling number of trailheads causing ecological damage from trail overuse. Investment is needed to restore access for hikers and trail crews, expanding the number of available trails and dispersing hikers to lessen the impact on this delicate ecosystem.

Unique features:

Goat Rocks Wilderness has superlative beauty with park-like alpine meadows and aqua blue lakes.
Goat Rocks Wilderness terrain is comprised of remnants of an extinct volcano.
Goat Rocks is more moderate and accessible to throngs of hikers looking for a scenic high country adventure.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail travels through the core of Goat Rocks Wilderness and is often cited by hikers as their favorite section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Stories from the field

From Washington State to Washington D.C.: We’re Working for Hikers Like You

Feb 11, 2020

This year, we teamed up with trail groups from all over the country to Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C. and advocate for trails and public lands. Here are the important federal issues and bills we support and talked to our Washington lawmakers about.

Making More Time in Nature Possible

Science shows three days in nature can boost your brain. WTA is helping to make those experiences possible | By Rachel Wendling

Clearing a Path to Angry Mountain

With the support of the hiking community, we're saving backcountry trails like Angry Mountain from falling off the map. | by Rachel Wendling

Major Gains for Lost Trails Around the State

Dec 26, 2018

This year, more than 500 volunteers devoted nearly 15,000 hours of work to saving lost trails across the state. Follow along for a look back at everything we've been up to in our Lost Trails Found campaign.

The Big-Picture Approach to Saving Our Trails

Through our Lost Trails Found campaign, we're working to save tomorrow's trails, today | by Rachel Wendling

Lost Trails Found: Summer Progress Report

Sep 19, 2018

2018 was an incredible summer for our Lost Trails Found campaign! Take a peek at some of the work we accomplished throughout the season.