Goat Flat / Saddle Lake / Three Fingers
(Trail #641)

HIKING / BACKPACKING

Distance: 13.4 miles round trip Hiking Time: 2 days High Point: 6854 feet

Elevation Gain: 3900 feet

Maps: USGS Meadow Mountain, Whitehorse Mountain Greentrails - Granite Falls #109, Silverton #110

Originally built for access to the lookout on Three Fingers, the trail has become a popular route during summer weekends. The trail travels from Tupso Pass through dense forest to 4.0 acre Saddle Lake. At the edge of the meadows by the lake, a shelter was constructed by the Everett Mountaineers in the early 1970's. The trail continues through sub-alpine meadows and timber to Goat Flat. Firewood is scarce. From here, the trail continues on to Tin Pan Gap a half mile from the summit. The last half mile is considered a technical climb requiring equipment for safety while crossing Three Fingers Glacier, a rock scramble and an ascent of steep ladders to the lookout built in 1932-33. Old telephone wires can be found along the trail which started originally in Boulder River (see Boulder River Trail).

Directions: From Granite Falls go east on the Mountain Loop Highway to the Tupso Pass Road #41. Turn left (north) and follow for 18 miles to the trailhead.