Vanson Lake Via Goat Creek Trail

I am a bit on the fence as to whether I should post this entry, but I figure this blog is so little read, it can’t possibly cause a run on this little traveled site.

Vanson Lake was one of my most memorable of recent hikes. It starts with the short and no less wonderous trip to Cathedral Falls. They, themselves, are a wonder to behold and easily accessible to anyone with an hour of time and a fairly steady step as the trail can be a little narrow, but by no means treacherous. The falls themselves are a tall, delicate sprill from high above and falling over a cavernous space defined by an equally impressive natural grotto. This is a popular stop, but continuing on from this easy destination is NOT high on the lists of most of who to the trailhead. That is where I wanted to go.

Continuing along Goat Creek, the trail meanders among old growth, moss, and the lush song of the creek itself on the your left as you make your way to where the trail diverges at the ascent begins. Along this ascent, again, you get to walk along another, more steep creek as it displays several smaller falls amid broken rocks and mosses. This space, I had to myself save for one other hiker who came down from the lake as I journey upward.

One comes to a ridgeline which is a good space to take a breather before making the descent to Vansan Lake. The lake itself is smaller than the alpine lakes oft photographed and plastered all over social media. It is quiet, save for the songs of birds all abouts, the whistle of a breeze among tall grasses undisturbed and untrampled. When I arrived and found my spot to breath it in, I was completely alone. This is the gift of these lesser known places, still accessible by a simple day hike.

When I finally, and reluctanctly, left the lake and journeyed back (not wanting to be out past dark), I did come upon a party comeing in to camp, via mountain bike. That I am a little reluctant to try… while they seemed to have made it work, I would be cautious of some of the twists and sudden drops along that trail…

One of the things I love about the retun hikes is how the light has changed since I journeyed in, and that was certainly true, among the trees. That golden light as the hours draw late, and the sun lowers toward the earth paints moss and evergreen with a vibrancy no photographer can truly capture (but we still try).

I will journey here again… there are several other trails in the complex I want to explore.