Sunday, July 3, 2016

Glacier NP: Mountain Goat at Goat Lick

Goat Lick is a park feature along US Route 2 at the southern end of the park. Going over Logan Pass on Going to the Sun Road and returning to the east side of the park via this route is a nice all-day outing. 

For park visitors who are not comfortable with the heights, precipices, sharp curves, narrow winding roads, and hoards of traffic on Going to the Sun Road, making this circuit counter-clockwise is the way to go. The passenger is on the inside for probably 85% of the mountainous part of the trip if driving it east to west. Another way to go is via Red Bus, Sun Tours and, from July 1 on, the frequent park-run shuttle busses. 

Goat Lick is a natural mineral formation along Middle Branch Flathead River that mountain goats and some other mammals flock to annually to replenish minerals. The formation is visible across the river from the parking lot and from a hidden viewing platform. 

Ed spotted this goat along the road as we approached the pull-off. He correctly kept his eye out for it to descend to the river and his patience paid off as it reappeared and posed just off the end of the platform. 

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