Goat Mountain Lookout

Goat Mountain Lookout is a former U.S. Forest Service fire lookout station reached by a roughly 3-mile trail starting from Road 223 near Teaford, just outside Oakhurst. The lookout tower itself is currently closed to climbers, but the summit still delivers wide views over Bass Lake and the Sierra Nevada foothills beyond, plus a small picnic table if you want to sit and take it in.

What to Expect on the Trail

Reviewers consistently point to two things: the payoff at the top, and the exposure near the end. The final third of the climb runs through open terrain with little tree cover, so plan for direct sun on a clear day. Gnats can be thick along parts of the trail as well, so something to wave them off helps.

At the Summit

• Tower access: Closed to the public at this time — the historic structure is visible but not open for climbing.
• Picnic table: A small table at the top makes it an easy spot to stop for lunch.
• The view: Bass Lake spread out below, with the Sierra Nevada rising behind it.

Good to Know

This is a lightly reviewed but consistently well-rated hike — a good pick if you want lake-and-mountain views without the crowds of Yosemite's more famous trails. Give yourself time on the exposed upper section, and expect a workout getting up to the old lookout site.