[wildernessed]

Location : North of Winthrop at the West end of Eightmile Rd. / Billy Goat TH Map : GTM - Billy Goat Mountain, TOPO Stats : 14.7 mi, 7030' loop

Billy Goat - Eightmile Ridge - Two Bit Creek Loop

After having done Burch, Obstruction, and Billy Goat in previous years and looking at the ridge leading out North of Point 7482' we had long thought that it would be nice to work that and Point 8055' into a trip. After looking at maps long enough I came up with what on paper seemed to be a workable loop circling the Drake Creek drainage from high above coming in via Billy Goat Pass to Burch Peak and out dropping down Two Bit Creek drainage near Drake Creek and back up to the Pass and the TH. It worked, but as an overnighter and current conditions it was a worker. Steve and I were on the trail around 0800 well aware that both days were expected to be among the hottest of the year so far. I was pre-hydrated and stocked with energy gel, chews, bars, and electrolyte tablets as we headed up the Billy Goat Trail (the only vehicle in the area). We hit the first snow in the trail at 5800', with near continuous snow at 6000', and many drifted feet of well consolidated snow at the Pass. We followed the direction of the Eightmile / Burch Peak trail until we were above tree line after which most of the trail was open up to around 7400' then we had snow in the trees, saddles, and on the summit of Burch where we had lunch and great views of the area. From there on we had snow you could work on or around on all the high points and saddles until we finally made camp in a saddle at 7540' short of our goal but given the extreme heat and terrain a full 10-12 hours work with a backpack on. We melted snow for water all day using the heat of the sun then melted 6 liters at camp with the aid of a jetboil. After a Probar supper and a liter of electrolyte laced water I crashed and never woke up until 0400 the next morning.

Billy Goat Trail

Nearing Billy Goat Pass at 6600'

Burch Mtn. / Eightmile Ridge Trail from Billy Goat Pass

Lots of snow in the saddle.

Burch Peak 7782'

From Burch looking at our destination across Drake Creek drainage.

Three Pinnacles

7482'

On the North ridge of 7482, some maps have the entire ridge listed as part of Eightmile Ridge.

Unnamed lakes just East of the ridge.

Big Craggy, North Craggy, West Craggy

Steve high on GU leads the assault on 8055'

Heading for 8055'

Peepsight

Silver Star

Steve strategically set his tent up for views.

So I had coffee and watched the sun come up, Steve slept in for a little longer. I was thinking the hardest part of the trip was behind us today we might be able to get up to cruising speed on the downhill and some trail too. We dropped down into the head of Two Bit Creek which was full of snow and crossed a small stream in a flat basin which was really nice between 7100-7200' this would be a sweet area to camp in. We then traversed along the side of the ridge until we hit the crest as it dropped. The ridge is steep, but manageable, Two Bit Creek eventually becomes a raging torrent in a deep narrow drainage. We eventually hit a nice, dry trail (Larch Creek) but soon realized we would have to ford Two Bit Creek, which we did, then Drake Creek, after which we thought we would gain some momentum, but the down fall and trail erosion was pretty obstructive and it was stop and go every minute or two until we hit the snow and it is all snow as you approach the Pass, it was well consolidated for the most part even in the high temps. We saw a wet slide off the face of Billy Goat and stopped for lunch just on the South side of the Pass. There was snow back down to 5800' with occasional blow down all the way back to the TH. That was our 8 hour day. The terrain and views were outstanding along with the solitude and company, the beta gathered will be useful for future trips. Tough haul, but it's wilderness. I think I consumed 6 GU's, 4 Energy chew packets, 3 Cliff Bars, and a tube of Nunn electrolyte tablets. The Billy Goat Trail is a mess, but looking down at Eightmile Pass that was snow free I don't know about blow down.

Early A.M. at camp in a saddle at 7540'

Looking back at 7987'

West Craggy in the morning.

Point 8062' and a ridge route out to Fool Hen and Fox Lakes.

Head of Two Bit Creek where we dropped down off the main ridge down to the Larch Creek Trail (205) then back towards Billy Goat Pass from the North.

Upper Two Bit Creek

Drake Creek Ford

Slide off Billy Goat.

Cathedral - Ampitheater - Andrews - Peepsight and smokey haze

Craggies and Eightmile

Eightmile

Isabella Ridge Peaks and more

Route options for Eightmile

Views with morning joe.

Views as we drop into Two Bit Creek Drainage

Views off 7836'

Pasayten Peaks

[Distel32]

nice and good Pasayten snotel update! And now I know what it looks like

[fourteen410]

Thanks for the info!

[wildernessed]

Yeah look at the lack of snow back in that area and at elevation. The trails and snow in unexposed areas lower is what slows you down those slopes and ridges look good for getting around. I had surgery and couldn't hike for nearly 4 weeks so I didn't have a clue as to the conditions but it looks like summer. They are doing controlled burns in the area and the lower end of Eightmile was very smokey, but the Upper end was fine. Driving the road up they were doing controlled burns right across from campsites where people were camping.

[raising3hikers]

i also appreciate the update for the area! thanks and glad you guys had a good trip

[silence]

I'm always jealous of your early season outings ... nice work! Love the pix!

[HitTheTrail]

Yup, looks like a killer trip in more ways than one. Looks like the dudes nailed it again.

[Distel32]

Now you're going to make me have a total 6hrs+ of driving this weekend

[Leafguy]

I'm telling your doctor

[wildernessed]

[Brockton]

Thanks for the report. What's the road like up to the trailhead? Anything rough for a passenger car?

[Get Out and Go]

Glad to see a TR from you again...and a hearty one at that.

[HitTheTrail]

[wildernessed]

[wildernessed]