This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There are around 2,000 mountain goats roaming Utah's highest points. The wild, white and often shaggy creatures can be spotted at certain times of the year and locations across the state.
State wildlife officials help people find mountain goats at annual events on the Tushar Mountains east of Beaver and at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
A new free mountain goat viewing event is taking place on Rock Creek in northeastern Utah on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will be on hand to help people get a good look at mountain goats on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains near Mountain Home.
"During our last trend count in 2011, we counted 858 mountain goats. That shows how good the habitat on the Uinta Mountains is," said Randall Thacker, a DWR wildlife biologist. "Keeping the road open to the Stillwater Dam creates a unique viewing opportunity."
Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available for people to get a closer look at the mammals.
Visitors will find DWR officials parked at the best viewing locations along the Rock Creek Road.
The event is dependent on the weather. People can call the DWR's northeastern region office in Vernal at 435-781-9453 to learn whether weather will force the cancellation of the free event. —
See mountain goats in the Uinta Mountains
State wildlife officials are holding a mountain goat viewing event Saturday near Rock Creek on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains. Here's how to get the site:
From U.S. Highway 40, take one of the roads to Altamont/Mountain Home. If you're approaching from the west, turn left (north) onto the road to Mountain Home. This road is about four miles before you reach Altamont. If you're coming from the east, drive through Altamont to reach the Mountain Home Road.
To reach the viewing site, travel north on Mountain Home Road about 2.8 miles and turn left at the Mountain Home Store onto Country Route 95, the road to Rock Creek. The turn is not well marked, but there is a sign for the Miner's Gulch, Yellowpine and Stillwater campgrounds. Follow Route 95 roughly 20 miles to the viewing area. —
Mountain goats in the Uinta Mountains
State wildlife officials are holding a mountain goat viewing event Saturday Feb. 22 near Rock Creek on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains. Here's how to get the site: From U.S. Highway 40, take one of the roads to Altamont/Mountain Home. If you're approaching from the west, turn left (north) onto the road to Mountain Home. You will continue on this road for about four miles before you reach Altamont. If you're coming from the east, drive through Altamont to reach the Mountain Home Road. To reach the viewing site, travel north on Mountain Home Road about 2.8 miles and turn left at the Mountain Home Store onto Country Route 95, the road to Rock Creek. The turn is not well marked, but there is a sign for the Miner's Gulch, Yellowpine and Stillwater campgrounds. Follow Route 95 roughly 20 miles to the viewing area.