Mountain goats, really harmless?

[humperson]

Hey all, im curious as to how harmless these goats actually are? Recently i was about halfway through the east ridge of pacific peak, and as i pulled myself up over a rock, i had an unexpected encounter with a mountain goat probably 10 or 15 feet away. The goat seemed just as shocked as i was. When i turned around, there were 2 more behind me. I must have unknowingly climbed over those two before seeing them. This was my first ever encounter with mountain goats. Having done a ton of hiking in the Wasatch, but still new to Colorado, i didn't think they were actually that common out here. I was so spooked, that i bailed on my hike. I am a solo hiker and would love to go back and finish this hike, but for some reason, im now terrified of encountering these goats again on the skinny ridge. Did i just have an unlucky encounter, and are they really harmless like everyone says? What could i have actually done instead of bailing, or did i make the right call?

[HikerGuy]

You had a lucky encounter! They would have either walked away or led you to the summit. Sometimes you need to wait out the animals when hiking, no need to turn around unless it's a moose. If a moose, find safe alternative passage (give 'em a wide berth) or turn around.

[justiner]

CO goats are pretty docile. In some other areas, they can be more aggressive, esp. if young are around, which they just want to naturally defend. As gross as it may sound, the more aggressive ones that aren't protecting their young want the salt that's found in your pee more than anything, so they'll stalk you and wait. More often than not, they'll spot me way before I spot them, and book it at a speed approaching 10x anything I can muster. I've seen videos of goats holding their ground if messed with, so better to live and let live with them. I enjoy bumping into them and their wry little smiles.

[d_baker]

Hey all, im curious as to how harmless these goats actually are? Recently i was about halfway through the east ridge of pacific peak, and as i pulled myself up over a rock, i had an unexpected encounter with a mountain goat probably 10 or 15 feet away. The goat seemed just as shocked as i was. When i turned around, there were 2 more behind me. I must have unknowingly climbed over those two before seeing them. This was my first ever encounter with mountain goats. Having done a ton of hiking in the Wasatch, but still new to Colorado, i didn't think they were actually that common out here. I was so spooked, that i bailed on my hike. I am a solo hiker and would love to go back and finish this hike, but for some reason, im now terrified of encountering these goats again on the skinny ridge. Did i just have an unlucky encounter, and are they really harmless like everyone says? What could i have actually done instead of bailing, or did i make the right call?

Just don't look into their soulless dark eyes....and you should be fine.
Or, just pee. They will love you for it.

[PJ88]

Aside from Evans, my only experience with them was on Sherman. I hit the summit ridge at the most narrow part and there was a goat lounging up ahead. As soon as it saw me it got up and walked my way. I backed up and we stood there looking at each other until a couple hikers came up behind me. He took off and we all summited safe and sound. Give them their space and it’ll be fine.

[ECF55]

There are quite a few that live on Grays and Torreys. I was eating on the saddle between the peaks and these two sauntered by. While I have a well stated policy of “Never trust a goat”, I make exceptions for Mountain Goats. They were calm and I didn’t make any quick movements and it all worked fine.

[Ed_Groves]

On August 8th, I hiked Kelso Ridge to Torreys Peak. I was on the ledge to the right of the white rock just past the "knife's edge" when a mountain goat decided to cross the ledge at the same time from the other end. It looked as bewildered as I was. We stood there eyeing each other for what seemed an interminable moment. I eventually took one or two steps forward while speaking to him, and he took a path just above my head, keeping his gaze upon me. We passed each other without incident. These animals are amazing. From my perspective there were very few holds on which to gain purchase above my head on the side of the white rock, but he walked across like it was nothing. Once I reached the summit, looking back down, I could see he was still hanging out on the ridge just east of the knife's edge. Mountain goats were present on every hike I took that week but one.

[blazintoes]

You're new around here aren't you? Your question reminds me of one my friend asked many years ago. He visits Colorado from Chicago every summer to climb our mountains when he asked, what are all those trees with white bark? I was shocked that he had no idea what an aspen was. I digress. There are few animals to be afraid of in Colorado and the mountain goats are an invasive species brought here to be hunted. In my decade of climbing I have never seen one be aggressive even with young nearby. Matter of fact my most memorable experience with a mountain goat was while solo on Pigeon Peak in winter. After a very long day this majestic powerful male goat in its natural habitat gracefully hoofed through my clumsy snowshoe tracks clearly following and looking for something I left behind. When I came up behind him we were both startled as I watched him digging through the tracks. The sheer power and majesty of getting to experience something like that will never leave me. Too see something casually rearrange it’s world so gracefully was peaceful.

However recently while solo on Colony Baldy two very large bucks jumped on the ridge opposite of me and flexed. I was definitely scared. Even if it was a bluff had I been closer they probably would have gored me. I'm not sure when rutting season occurs for deer and I wonder if a goat would behave the same way as I haven't been in that situation so to answer your question if your gut instinct was to back away, you did the right thing.

Don't become a footnote in history.

[Dan_Suitor]

I’ve encountered mountain goats numerous times, and never did they threaten me, even with their young around. I’m so used to them that I don’t give it a second thought to walk by them when they are on the trail. I’ve found the same for Bighorn sheep. However once, in the Sangre De Cristo’s, watching from a distance, I saw a hiker surprise a Bighorn sheep. The hiker turned and ran. Bighorn sheep gave chase. It was brief and the hiker was unscathed. I think if the hiker had not run, the bighorn would have ignored him.

Here is a pic of a mom and their baby on Kelso Ridge. I could not pass up the selfie.

PXL_20220910_162934815.jpg

[greenonion]

Most times they are pretty docile as stated above by others, but one killed someone in Washington state back in 2010... https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-ne ... onal-park/

Just one incident, but do be careful.

[vandy]

One time on Pyramid Peak I had a goat and kid following me down the standard ridge from the summit. They were never aggressive - my only concern really was the possibility of them knocking choss down at me. Eventually the pair caught up to me and passed me, and afterward it sure seemed like they were leading the way for me. I'm sure they were just looking back to make sure I wasn't being aggressive toward *them*. I've never had a problem with goats, but that was my favorite encounter.

P9088229 (2).JPG

[Bale]

I’ve been bothered more by marmots than goats, but justiner is right about the urine. Pee far away from your tent in the Beartooths:)

Goats are awesome!