Goat Mt West

September 19, 2025 -- Mt. Baker Wilderness, Washington

Stats: 16.67 km / 1284m gain / 2015m high / 5:30 hours

Brilliant autumn colors -- this was the hike to do. It's a tough one. The terrain on the Devil's Staircase was very steep. But the pay off was worth it.

About half of the hike was on a more gradual grade in the forest.

And then came our first viewpoint. "Wow!" - the crowning jewel, Mt. Baker -- south.

Mt Shuksan -- southeast.

Sefrit Mt (2134m) -- east.

Hannegan Mt to the right (1885m) -- northeast.

On the Devil's Staircase, a narrow slanting path.

There were so many blueberries that were super sweet but at the end of their peak. We were perplexed as to why we didn't see any bears.

This last stretch to the ridge was straight up.

Views from the ridge on Yellow Aster Butte, Tomyhoi, The Canadian & American Border Peaks + Larrabee -- northwest.

Border Peaks, Larrabee, Pleiades + Slesse -- north

Almost there.

Group shot: Teresa K, Sheri K, Kevin D, Karl V, Bote M, Denise D + me

south

Sheri had been up milking the cows since 3:00am before doing this hike. She had a nice long nap. The south summit behind her, did not look hikable. Too many loose rocks -- northwest. The true summit is a technical climb.

The Pleiades right of Mt Larrabee + Slesse (2220m) -- north.

northeast

Hannegan Peak -- east.

Heading back down.

Mt. Ruth tucked in behind Mt. Sefrit -- southeast.

One person coming up. We ran into only two other hikers this day.