John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2026-07-21

Location: Goat Lake

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		8:05	1900	0
Lower/Upper Trail Jct:	8:10	1960	0.3
Lower/Upper Trail Jct:	9:24	2600	3
MacKintosh Falls:	10:20	3100	5.5
Goat Lake:		10:45	3167	5.7
Leave:			11:30	
Lower/Upper Trail Jct:	12:37	2600	8.3
Trailhead:		2:00	1900	11

To keep our party less than twelve (due to going into Wilderness area) we split into two groups, one starting at 8, the other at 8:30. 

We started early as the day was a hot one with highs getting into the 90s.  At 7:45 when we arrived at the trailhead, it was pretty empty, but by the time we left, the cars were parking down the road a ways due to the lot being full. 

It was pleasantly cool in the morning, and the trail was shaded.  It was hotter on the return hike when the sun was high overhead, but we weren't working as hard going down.  Back at the car it was 79 in the ahade. 

After 3 miles, the Upper and Lower Elliott trails rejoin one another and continue towards Goat Lake.

Near the lake the trail steepens and switchbacks up the final hill to the lake.  At the first switchback bend, a side trail leads off to the right to a view of the lower falls.  This side trail isn't really a trail so much as a boot track.  It was blocked off, presumably to keep folks from thinking it was the trail to Goat Lake.  I missed the side trail on the way up, but visited it on the way down.  It is worth it for the views. 

Near the top of the switchbacks, another side trail leads to Mackintosh Falls, an inspiring cascade of water coming down Elliott creek from Goat Lake. 

We got to the lake and started lunch.  A while later the rest of our group showed up.  One guy even brought a little inflatable raft that he blew up and took out on the lake.  A couple of our group braved the water to go swimming. 

Mackintosh Falls below Goat Lake

Goat Lake reflection

Goat Lake

Lower falls on Elliott creek