Logo

Home
Gog Meadow Backpack and White Pine Lake hike, 16-18 August, 2025

Ten people participated in the event.  Five day-hikers went to White Pine Lake and five backpackers went to the meadow north of Mt. Gog.  The Tony Grove Lake parking lot was full when we arrived.  The Cache Hikers who opted for the day hike found a parking spot and waited for the others to find other parking at the overflow lot.  Two sets of backpacker poles were inadvertently picked up by another group, but eventually things were resolved and the hike began.  

On the trail to White Pine Lake there were many backpackers coming back from White Pine Lake; we estimated there were 50-100.  We had lunch together on the trail to the White Pine Lake campground.  After lunch, the two groups split with the backpackers hiking off-trail around Mt. Gog and the day hikers continuing on to White Pine Lake.

After a pleasant pause at the lake the day-hikers began their return trip but took the White Pine Cutoff connector trail at the junction toward the Mt. Naomi Trail and descended past the quartzite steps known as the giant staircase before arriving at Tony Grove Lake.  It was a busy trail with many hikers, backpackers, dogs, a few people with inflatable boats, a couple of bikers, cows with calves, and numerous runners participating in the White Pine 50 Backcountry Race.

The big wildflower show was over but the forest, sage meadows, lake views, scattered boulders and late summer blooms (showy goldeneye, Engelman aster, fleabane, coneflowers, hairy clematis in seed) made for a fine summer hike.

The backpackers followed the route around Mt. Gog to the meadow and arrived about 2 pm.  The stream by their previous campsite was nearly dry, so they set up camp on the east side of the meadow where there was still plenty of water.  The cows had trampled the streams, trimmed the plants, and left their other marks, of course.  There were a few mosquitos but no biting flies.  The weather was warm and clear, and one backpacker left the vestibule of his tent open so he could enjoy the night sky.  About 4 am there were a few sprinkles; he was misted through the mosquito net before he could extend the cover.

The next day they decided to go up the valley north of Mt. Gog.  They got as far as the “elephant rock” when one hiker wanted to stop for a while.  She stayed in radio contact while the rest continued up to the saddle between Mt. Gog and Bullen Peak.  There were cattle in the valley even though this time there was no water.  At the saddle two hikers continued south into the basin and the other two turned west toward the ridge south of Bullen Peak.  The hiker who had stopped by elephant rock hiked up and over the saddle and met the basin hikers as they were returning.  The hike to the ridge was off-trail and through rough dolomite rocks, but the two got to the ridge and were greeted by a flock of chickadees in the wind-blown limber pines.  There was also a great view across upper High Creek valley to Cherry Peak. When we all got back to camp we spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and napping.

The third day they packed up and followed the route back to Tony Grove.

 Trip Summary:
  • Drove 27 miles to the Tony Grove Lake parking area
  • 10 participants: 
    • 5 White Pine Lake hikers: Ralph, Michelle, Alex, Jane, and Deanna
    • 5 Gog Meadow backpackers: Brent L., Susan, Teresa, Catherine, and Dave P. (leader)
  • Started hiking about 9:25, Lunch about 11:30
  • About 11:50 the backpackers headed toward Gog Meadow and the hikers went to White Pine Lake
    • Hikers returned to Tony Grove Lake about 2:30 pm Saturday afternoon
    • Hiked 8.1 miles with 700 ft elevation gain
    • Backpackers returned Monday
  • Pleasant temperatures, calm winds and clear skies

Thanks to Dave P and Jane for the narrative and photos, Catherine and Alex for photos, and Ralph for photos and GPS data.


10 Cache Hikers starting out from Tony Grove Lake


Leaving Tony Grove Lake
 On the trail

Descending into White Pine Canyon, with Mt. Gog in the background
 Crossing White Pine Creek

Lunch
White Pine Lake
These quartzite "stairs" are featured in Wikipedia


Five backpackers, ready to travel north of Mt. Gog
 Their off-trail route was challenging at times


The meadow north of Mt. Gog
 Lounging in the campsite "kitchen"
"Elephant Rock"
 Clint and Grike karst pavement on the way to Bullen Ridge

Fossil in Fish Haven dolomite
 Leaving the meadow on Monday morning


Red elderberry, Sambucus racemosa (and Mt. Gog)
 Fringed Grass of Parnassus, Parnassia fimbriata

Mountain dandelion, Agoseris

Our GPS track shows about 8 miles and 1300 feet of ascent for the day-hikers.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.