A marker denotes the Goat Peak Trail. 

Goat Peak Trail is narrow and requires mindful steps. 

An assessment or critique of a service, product, or creative endeavor such as art, literature or a performance.

Goat Peak Trail is narrow and requires mindful steps. 

Driving 42 miles from Yakima toward Chinook Pass, you’ll find a great hike: Goat Peak Trail, one of the best in Washington state and my favorite.

A good trail must have challenges. Too easy is not fun unless it’s beautiful, like the Naches Peak Loop Trail. However, I don’t feel that’s a real hike. A good hike, like a great dinner, should have appetizers, a formal meal and dessert. Naches Peak Loop Trail is just an appetizer.

A good trail has beautiful scenery, like colorful flowers, green trees, crystal-clear lakes and deer and mountain goats. Bears, cougars or Bigfoot? That’s another topic.

I feel tipsy on trails that I am addicted to. Completing a hike, I feel exhausted, even tortured, but gain peace and soul therapy and see natural beauty. I call that tipsy. People with this addiction can be crazy. I’m that kind of dork.

I went to Goat Peak on July 10. I was late, so several cars were already parked at the trailhead.

A marker denotes the Goat Peak Trail. 

I got out of my car, put on sunscreen, bug spray and my hat. I carried my backpack and adjusted my hiking poles. I started to climb. It was up, up and up. And hot, but there was a lot of shade— always a bonus. I did not get overheated. A small creek followed me and played melodious classical music in my heart that soothed my soul.

I love to hike to lakes in the summer. I sometimes go to Crystal Lake. The scenery is stunning and the flowers are amazing, even though the weather is hot and the sun toasts me dry. By the lake, greedy, bloodsucking mosquitoes immediately surrounded me. I took off my hiking shorts and T-shirt as quickly as possible and put on my swimming shorts and shoes and jumped into the lake without hesitation.

The water was crystal clean and chilly, but I felt refreshed. I swam and forgot myself. My body moved up and down with the waves, I was immersed in happiness. The surrounding mountains were my companions. All the hardness, heat and sweat turned into enjoyment and appreciation of nature.

Back to the present on Goat Peak trail, I stopped to rest about a mile in at the creek. It was hot. I washed my head, neck and arms to cool down. I felt cool, comfortable and fresh again. I took out my Squeeze bag to collect the crystal water and I screwed a water filter on it. I raised the water bag above my face. I squeezed the bag, and the water flew out from the filter. I started to drink the cold creek water. It cooled my body and sweetened my heart. It was the best water I’ve ever had.

A young couple with a big black dog came down to the creek. I greeted them, “Hello, there! How are you?”

“Fantastic! The trail is great! The scenery is stunning,” the husband said.

The black dog ran to the creek to gulp water. Afterward, he ran to me, shaking off water, wiggling his tail, smiling and sniffing me. I scratched his neck. “Hello, buddy! What’s his name?” I asked.

“Riley,” the wife said. “He’s 3 and very friendly.”

As I walked, the trail got narrow and steep. That’s the reason the peak earned its name. I’m not a goat, so I walked slowly, in short steps with more stops. It worked well. I had enough water and trail mix to keep going for hours.

My breath and steps were my rhythm. There were different flowers, and the lupines looked sad, but the Indian Paintbrush were happy. Bugs were buzzing, and the breeze was my friend. Birds perched in my soul, singing happy tunes, and the sunshine was on my shoulders.

The zigzag trail was like my life, with ups and downs, enjoyment, solitude and bliss. I walked by myself but never felt alone.

After three hours, I had hiked over 3 miles with 3,150 feet in elevation gain. I stood on the summit of Goat Peak. Mount Rainier was a giant looming toward the northwest. The Goat Rocks ranges were endless. Bumping Lake was a sleeping beauty and Mount Adams was far away.

The bugs and bees were buzzing and butterflies were flying and dancing. My heart was completely open and my spirit was delighted.

I opened a nearby canister and took out the Summit Book. I read that day’s comments:

“Couldn’t have asked for better weather.”

“Couldn’t have asked for a better view.”

“World-class views with a world-class hike with a world-class friend.”

Everything made me laugh. Then I read, “So proud of you, Yakima!”

The words touched me, made me teary and feel blessed to live here around so many beautiful hiking trails, so I wrote:

Hiking teaches me to be strong-willed, to persevere and to observe. I’m always well-prepared and cautious. I pay attention to each step; they have to be solid and correct or I will have trouble. It teaches me to pay attention to my steps in life, too.

Hiking brings me peace and helps me appreciate nature and enjoy beauty. It makes my life rich and soothes my soul.

Gensheng Tian is a first-time contributor to Explore. He’s an avid writer, and this is his first time writing in English for publication. English is Tian’s second language.

Tian was born and raised in China and moved to the United States at age 36. He is now 57 and has been in Yakima for 18 years.

Tian started his first business at age 18, a translation company. He followed that with an adult school for learning English. He also has written two booklets for children learning English.

“I know my hometown in China is famous for cherries and apples, too. Maybe the sweet Rainier Cherry seed has taken root in my heart,” Tian said in an email about his residence in Yakima.

He is currently a card dealer a Legends Casino in Toppenish but proclaims his real business is hiking and backpacking. He also enjoys singing, traveling, visiting museums, tending to his garden and writing.

The Yakima Herald-Republic wants to hear from you! Explore is driven in part by readers.

We're looking for contributing writers who can share their favorite new (and old!) eats and drinks, karaoke spots and day hikes, hidden or well-known. No need to be a professional writer.

Explore wants to share what readers consider their communities with others in the Yakima Valley. Contributions can be as often or as little as you’d like.

We want to hear from the community. Check out some recent reader-submitted articles, such as a review of Sage Rat Wine, a review of Zack’s Zzas and Salt and Stone, a family-friendly life and recipe column that focuses on Yakima Valley produce and products.

If you'd like to learn more about writing for us, please reach out at sshields@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7693.

I look forward to learning more about this beautiful, diverse area from you. Let’s explore the Yakima Valley together.

Your comment has been submitted.

There was a problem reporting this.

What a wonderful article!! More from this writer, please! Make me want to take this hike!!

I hiked that trail years ago with my then girlfriend. It was a beautiful hike. We spent a wonderful day with each other until the trail disappeared. We took a step and the trail was gone.

Comments can only be made on article within the first 3 days of publication.

The Yakima Herald-Republic is hiring.

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.