Distance
4.4 mi to summit
7.1 mi total
Elevation
6,322 ft start
10,754 ft max
Vertical
4,623 ft gain
Time
3 hr 17 min to summit
4 hr 57 min total
A long traverse of a grand, open alpine ridge on this hike. Even with the thick smoke from summer's fires, the views and immensity of the landscape were precious. My hiking partner and I playfully nicknamed this route the "Goat Nipple Traverse", taking in four peaks (two of which we really would consider peaks on the ridgeline) in our ridge walk. Had summitted West Goat 8 years ago by the Mono Creek TH, which was the route we descended to complete a loop hike.
Obstacles
routefinding, bushwhacking, blowdowns, rockfall/loose rock
Key gear
trekking poles