Mountain goats on road

[Rotnguns]

My brother and I set out to find mountain goats in the sawtooths, but saw this small herd in the road on Idaho 21 between Lowman and Stanley! They were licking the road material, perhaps for leached minerals.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/84sdd2lux111mal/goats2%20edit.jpg?dl=0

Also included a picture of Goat Lake (about 9000 feet), which we hiked into in hopes of catching a big cutthroat trout that it is famous for. No dice - it is still frozen over. Edit -this little lake is NOT really Goat lake, which is lower, larger, easier to access, and further up the trail.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7yr1f0njdvpfx1r/goat%20lake%20above%202.jpg?dl=0

And here is a view above Marshall Lake, which is at about 8000 feet. Funny how it is open water! You can see the lower part of a snowfield and a talus slope that we had to traverse to get to (not really) Goat Lake- not recommended; safer to go up from Marshall lake.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vfog517xgc05934/marshall%20lake%20above.jpg?dl=0

These are not space aliens - they are sandhill cranes. AKA the Sirloin of the Sky, they are supposedly delicious. They like to spend their summers in Idaho and Wyoming before migrating south.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6hthka2wvksld8x/cranes%20edit.jpg?dl=0

[nitroxdiver]

Great shots! Dude goat lake is a legit freaking hike. It kicked my butt. That talus/scree field two steps up one slide back haha. The falls on the way up are gorgeous too.

[Rotnguns]

Great shots! Dude goat lake is a legit freaking hike. It kicked my butt. That talus/scree field two steps up one slide back haha. The falls on the way up are gorgeous too.

Yes, I have heard this about Goat Lake! Unfortunately, bro and I took the wrong turn and ended up at a smaller, unnamed lake with a little waterfall that we mistook for Goat Lake and Goat Lake falls.

Thinking of heading back up Thursday after setting up waypoints on AllTrails so I won't take the wrong turn again! Bears are still in season so I will likely take a 44 mag along, just in case I see one closer to the trailhead.

[nitroxdiver]

[PoorRichRichard]

Very cool. Thanx for posting.

[Rotnguns]

Thanks for the map and advice, Nitrox! Bro and I were way off course - left from the Redfish trailhead for marshall lake and mistook the small lake above it for goat lake lol. What a scramble over a snowfield and talus slope to get there! I'll be leaving from the Iron Creek trailhead instead. Your advice is much appreciated as always!

[nitroxdiver]

[Rotnguns]

Just got back from a day hike to Goat Lake. Wow, that talus/snow traverse is a piece of work! I found out that there is a sneak route close to the waterfall and creek that is said to be easier than the Talus Slope of Death. However, it is easily missed, and more so when covered with snow. That said, there was a happy family with young kids that seemed to know where the sneak route was, and they vanished merrily downslope just as I was getting to the lake.

What an amazing view, though! The lake is still frozen, but the edges are melting and I don't think I've ever seen water so clear. No ham radio, and unlike the area closer to redfish, very spotty cell service. You are so right about that trail - it is quite confusing and more signage would help. I was using OnX hunt, and some other hikers were using alltrails pro, and we all took several different wrong turns. All in all, a challenging and great hiking adventure! I will edit and post pix later. Thanks for all the advice, my friend!

[nitroxdiver]

Brother congrats!!! That is a legit day hike for sure and a place not many will ever get to see. Huge congrats on your accomplishment.

[BOBGBA]

...they are sandhill cranes. AKA the Sirloin Ribeye of the Sky, they are supposedly delicious...

FIFY

Here's the Meat Eater episode on Sandhill Cranes.

[Rotnguns]

Brother congrats!!! That is a legit day hike for sure and a place not many will ever get to see. Huge congrats on your accomplishment.

Thanks, Nitrox! Your advice was very helpful. I am going to edit and post some pics.

[Rotnguns]

FIFY

Here's the Meat Eater episode on Sandhill Cranes.

Wow, guess the rumors I heard are true! Thanks for the videolink.