See mountain goats on Tushar Mountain at Goat Watch
By Mark Hadley
You could see as many as 100 mountain goats on Tushar Mountain. And you might not need binoculars to see them. At some past viewing events, goats have gotten as close as 35 feet to those viewing them. On Aug. 11, the Division of Wildlife Resources will host its annual Goat Watch on the Tushar Mountains east of Beaver. The event is free.
The trip will begin at 8 a.m. at the Cardwell convenience store and gas station at 215 N. Main St. in Beaver. The station is at the start of State Route 153 in the center of town.
From the station, participants will caravan to the top of the Tushar Mountains. When you reach the top, you’ll be close to 11,500 feet above sea level.
Phil Tuttle, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR, says the view from the top of the Tushars is amazing.
“From the top of the mountain, you can see all of southern Utah,” he said. “Seeing wildlife at such a high elevation is truly remarkable.”
If you need binoculars or a spotting scope, the DWR will have some you can borrow. But if you have your own viewing equipment, please bring it.
Tuttle also encourages you to bring water, a hat, a jacket, and a sack lunch. It’s also a good idea to travel in a vehicle that has high ground clearance.
“Towards the top, the road is quite rocky,” Tuttle said.
In addition to seeing mountain goats, attending the viewing event will allow you to explore the alpine-tundra ecosystem the goats live in. Found only above the timberline at high elevations, it’s an ecosystem seldom seen in southern Utah. Tuttle says unique animals live in this alpine-tundra terrain, including yellow-bellied marmots and pika.
For more information about the goat watching event, call the DWR’s southern region office at (435) 865-6100.
