[Perry]

I was able to get out on another pack trip with the goats last week. I again took Grant, Albert, Bryce and Benson. This time we were out for 4 days. Tuesday, 7/28 we started at the Little Wenatchee TH and headed up Cady ridge. The east Cady ridge trail starts with well graded switchbacks, but then about 1/3 of the way up, it heads straight up the ridge line. That section is steep, but not extremely steep. At about 4 miles from the TH, the trail gets onto the top of Cady ridge. From there it’s a ridge walk, mostly through meadows, with some ups and downs.

Tuesday evening, we camped on Cady ridge with a nice view of Glacier Peak.

Wednesday we continued on the last mile of the Cady ridge trail to connect to the PCT and headed north, in meadows much of the time. We went about 7 miles that day and camped at Reflection Pond.

Thursday morning, we headed north through the meadows for a little over a mile to the Glacier Peak white pass area.

The hike had been beautiful, but generally warm, about 80F, and often quite buggy. There tended to be gnat and mosquitoes in the mornings and evenings, and biting flies during the day. The bugs weren’t bad all the time, and sometimes breezes made the temperature more comfortable. I’d seen the main area that I want to, so decided to turn around at that point and started heading back. The meadows along this section of the PCT are a lot lusher than those in the Chelan Sawtooth area. Thursday evening, we again camped on Cady ridge. This ended up being a fairly long day, about 9 ½ miles. Benson was dragging behind some the last 1/3 mile or so. He perked up after a good rest at camp. Friday morning, I woke about 4:30 am to the sound of rain drops on the tent. It rained lightly for a little while. When it got light around 5:45 am, I got up and packed. It was surprisingly warm and muggy. And there were lots of gnats buzzing around. The hike back to the trailhead was uneventful.

I met a few people on the trail each day, but not a lot. I really enjoy this area of high meadow country.

[flatsqwerl]

Hi Perry. We met and chatted briefly by the reflection tarn south of white pass. You were calmly resting in the shade in a chair surrounded by your critters...you're living the life!

[OutOfOffice]

Goatpacking looks awesome. I'm jealous

[Kim Brown]

Thanks Perry; I love your reports. I enjoy the pictures of your campsite and resting spots!

[altersego]

We did the N Fork Sky -> Pass Creek -> Dishpan Gap loop Fri-Sun. Would've loved to met you and the goats up there. For some reason I was telling my wife about seeing one of your goat trip reports during our hike. Great flowers in the meadows after switchbacks from the PCT jct. I'd spend an extra day up like you next time we go.

[Get Out and Go]

Thanks for the TR Perry. I hope to make a visit to the vicinity later this month when cooler temps set in. Always a trade-off of wilted flowers for fewer bugs.

[Kim Brown]

[Anne Elk]

Lovely photos, Perry; this is the first TR of yours that I've seen; I'm really curious about the logistics of goat-assist trips. Do you take 4 goats b/c that's how many it takes to haul your gear? Do you have to carry supplemental food for them too, or can they just graze? What about watering them, since you weren't camping at lakes/near streams?

[FiresideChats]

As others have said, love the goats and pics. Under clear and smoke-free skies too. The N Fork-White Pass-Pilot Ridge is my all-time favorite hike. There are so many lovely locations, but that area has to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet.