Packwood Lake
1 week ago
Scarlet vine maples along the rocky stretches
4 this month · 36 reports
Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass
South Cascades
updated 1 month ago
The Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass trail offers a spectacular, though sometimes challenging, hiking experience. Recent reports from July and August 2026 indicate the trail is generally in good condition, with wildflowers in bloom and stunning views of surrounding peaks. While most snow has melted, intermittent snowfields remain, particularly before reaching Old Snowy, though they are reportedly not difficult to cross and do not require special gear as of August 11. The road access is generally suitable for all vehicles, though some reports mention washboard sections or rougher patches in the last few miles. Hikers should be aware of potential exposure on some sections of the PCT near Old Snowy. Water is generally available along the trail to Elk Pass and on the east side below the pass, but scarce on the PCT leading to Old Snowy.
Generated from 21 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The road is generally suitable for all vehicles, though some reports mention washboard sections that can rattle a vehicle. There may be rougher patches in the last couple of miles of NF-21, but they are typically passable for most cars as of R1 and R2.
As of August 11, there are intermittent snowfields, but they are not difficult to cross and are generally not hard to traverse. A snowfield of about 20-25 feet was reported below Old Snowy, and no special gear was needed as of August 11.
Water is plentiful along the trail to Elk Pass and on the east side below the pass. However, the PCT section leading to Old Snowy has very little to no water, so carrying enough is recommended.
Most reports indicate the trail is well-maintained with minor obstacles. Some logs have been reported, but generally, they are easy to navigate around. The PCT below Old Snowy can be dicey with shifting rocks and is not always clearly visible.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
I had a long weekend (3 nights) to spend in the Goat Rock Wilderness and decided to do a counterclockwise hike, starting on the Snowgrass Flat Trail, with side trips to Cispus Pass and Old Snowy.Road ...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Distance: 28.6 milesElevation Gain: 5,410 ftDuration: 2 days / 1 nightTrailhead: Berry Patch TrailheadDay 1 — Berry Patch to Cispus BasinStarting from Berry Patch Trailhead, there isn’t much of a warm...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Regarding the snowfield below old snowy on the pct. Melted down to approx a 20-25 foot section of snow that is not hard to cross.
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
I made it back up to the Goat Rocks area, specifically to hike the PCT‘s “Knife’s Edge”. It was a long day out in the sun and exposed ridgelines, but awesomely beautiful. I’d love to backpack up here ...
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
Summary3-day Goat Rocks backpacking loop, counterclockwise, 2 nights, roughly 33 miles. Great route, rough weather, one navigation mess on the Klickitat Loop, see step 10. Two biggest takeaways: (1) u...
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Gorgeous terrain, but not much solitude in this area of Goat Rocks. We shortened our trip to a single overnight due to the surprising midweek crowds. There were at least 10 groups planning to camp nea...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Took the route into Goat Rocks from Scatter Creek TH/N Fork Tieton. This a longer route than from the west side to Snowgrass, hence less busy. Camped at a site below/east of Elk Pass with views of Rai...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Loop Route:Snowgrass #96 > Packwood Glacier Trail > PCT alt to Old Snowy summit > Lily Basin Trail > Goat Ridge Trail #95Wow - where do you even begin? Snowgrass trailhead, I reckon. There is an outho...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
My partner and I were able get up to Snowgrass Flats and beyond on a midweek trip. The first day we hiked from Snowgrass TH to Elk Pass and camped in the basin below Elk Pass. We avoided the traverse ...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
My friends and I were hoping for an uncrowded three day backpacking trip this Fourth of July weekend within a two hour drive from Central WA. We settled on an out and back to Old Snowy via the North F...