Mountain goat at Panorama Point, Mt. Rainier, WA

Mountain Goat at Panorama Point, Mt. Rainier, WA

October 25, 2009

It was one of the surprising and lucky hikes on Mt. Rainier that we saw a mountain goat near Panorama Point.  I heard autumn would be one of the best times to be able to see mountain goats because they often come down to lower elevation where vegetation is still available before winter hibernation. We spotted one by chance....it was rather big and busy munching.  The site where we spotted it was right below the outhouse at Panorama Point at 6,700'.

On the way up to Panorama Point from Glacier Vista, we spotted a big furry object off the trail.

  

It was a mountain Goat!

 

It was HUGE!

 

 

 Spectacular fall color at Paradise.  

        

Paradise Valley and Tatoosh range.                                                                Skyline Trail from Paradise.

Seracs are visible in Nisqually Glacier.

Hikers on Skyline Trail. Down below in the valley is Nisqually River and HWY 706 bridge.

 Pebble Creek at 7,200'. Tatoosh range is in background.