The magic mountain goats of Glacier NP

I wanted to see mountain goats badly. Visited Alaska twice, didn't get to see them, not even a tiny grain of white dots up on the mountain. Didn't see any in Canadian Rockies either. My last hope then was Glacier NP, where everyone got pictures of them. Search results showed Logan Pass is the best bet.

Ranger said they frequently spotted on Hidden Lake Trail. Just the trail we planned to hike. It was late June, most of the trail was still covered by snow after short walk on wooden walkway at the beginning. At some point slippery and narrow, but overall an easy and beautiful hike.

Beginning of the trail

Clements Mountain always in sight

My friend got to the high point of overlook first, eagerly signaling something I didn't understand. Following her finger direction, I had to cover my mouth not to make loud noise. My mountain goat!! A juvenile, hidden among a bush focused on digging something in ground, totally ignored us. The clearing around the overlook were mostly out of snow and showing vegetation, the reason why mountain goats foraging there. First out of the winter, they must be hungry. Miraculously, one mama goat took her new born to a far edge of cliff and stay there for a while, everyone with camera on hand just went nuts. What a pair of supermodel for a perfect mountain goats setting.  As they cautiously walked pass us, they were like rock stars. What a day of thrill.

My first mountain goat!

Here they come!

Bearhat mountain at the Hidden Valley Trail overlook

I had the cliff photo cropped and canvas print 20x30 on my wall. I shall be looking at the mother and kid goat for a long time to come.

Then I watched Ken Burns's great documentary National Park, America's Best Idea. The author of the the series Dayton Duncan talked about his family's experience traveling to Glacier NP. While he and his son buddy hiked the Hidden Lake Trail, a group of mountain goats walked pass them at the overlook area. His son noted in his diary that was the greatest day of his life. Mr. Duncan, with tears shining in his eyes, said, "if that was the best of his life, then it would be the best day of my life too".

I sure can relate to Mr. Duncan.