This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Beaver Canyon and the Tushar Mountains east of the town of Beaver are one of those places that few Wasatch Front people have ever explored.

Yet, this is a spectacular high mountain range with some mining history, a ski area, fishing lakes, U.S. Forest Service campgrounds and rivers.

The Division of Wildlife Resources' southern region office is offering a great excuse to visit the area on August 6.

The agency will host its annual free Goat Watch on that day.

Participants can expect to see as many as 100 mountain goats. In past years, some of the goats have gotten as close as 35 feet to wildlife viewers.

The trip begins at 8 a.m. at the Cardwell convenience store and gas station at 215 N. Main Street in Beaver. From the station, participants will caravan to the top of the Tushar Mountains, reaching elevations that are nearly 11,500 feet above sea level. The view is one of Utah's best.

"From the top of the mountain," said DWR conservation outreach manager Phil Tuttle, "you can see all of southern Utah. The mountain goats are the icing on top of the cake."

If binoculars or spotting scopes are needed, some will be available. Participants should also bring water, a hat and a sack lunch. A high clearance vehicle is also a good idea, since the road gets rocky near the top.

For more information, call the DWR's southern region office at 435-865-6100.