See Mountain Goats at Free Event

Sandy — Colorful flowers and warmer weather aren’t the only signs spring is here: So are mountain goats at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

You can see and learn more about the goats at a free wildlife-viewing event. The Division of Wildlife Resources will host the event on April 14.

Scott Root, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR, says April is a great month to see goats. “This event will be a great opportunity to watch a few goats and their sure-footed antics while enjoying the spring weather,” he says.
Free event

The April 14 event will be held at the Park-and-Ride lot at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County. DWR biologists and volunteers will be at the lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To reach the canyon, travel east from Sandy on 9400 South.

“We’ll have spotting scopes and binoculars ready for you to use,” Root says. “The optics will allow you to get a close look at these agile rock climbers. We’ll also be available to answer any questions you have.”

Mountain goat horns and fur will also be available for you and your kids to see and touch.

You don’t have to register for the free event, but Root encourages you to complete an online form. Completing the form will help the DWR make future events even better. The form is available at http://bit.ly/mntGoatsRule.

For more information, call Root at 801-491-5656.

Viewing goats on your own

If you’d like to see the goats before April 14, swing by the parking lot any time during the day. Fixed-point telescopes are available in the lot. The telescopes allow you to zoom in on the goats. You can also learn more about the goats by reading an interpretive panel in the parking lot.

Root says goats are usually visible at the mouth of the canyon from November through mid-April. After mid-April, the goats travel to higher elevations to spend the summer.