GOAT LAKE

This is called Goat Lake, in August. It rests on the side of a mountain in southern Washington in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. It can be viewed from the Pacific Crest Trail 2000 south of Old Snowy Mountain. The lake is usually frozen over or piled high with so much snow that it gives the appearance of being frozen. In years past, my view of this lake was very typical. I would expect it to be white...and it was! However, for the past 4 years and 3 trips into the Wilderness, the lake has been thawed. The result is a strange color of green. This year, as 8 of us approached the lake, it looked inviting enough to take a dip. That's exactly what Brian and Josha did! However, the water was still very cold, as there was yet snow on the opposite bank. It didn't take them long to be "refreshed", shivering until they dried out!