Family hikes Scotchman as FSPW goat ambassadors
(Courtesy photo) The Joa and Kristie Harrison family from Coeur d’Alene teamed up to be a FSPW Mountain goat ambassador “swarm” on Labor Day. Pictured, from left, are Alahna, 19, Elijah, 10, Kristie, Alyssa, 8, Adison, 13, Joa, Isaiah, 15, and Isaac, 17.
(Courtesy photo) A new Forest Service sign greets Scotchman Peaks hikers low on the trail, reminding people to keep their distance from the mountain goats they may encounter higher on the mountain.
For most of the month of August, few hikers braved the smoky skies to hike Scotchman and very few goats were seen. Now that the smoke has dissipated to a great extent, the hikers and goats — and goat ambassadors — are back. Over Labor Day weekend, the Harrison family of eight from Coeur d’Alene hiked Scotchman as Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness goat ambassadors. All wearing FSPW volunteer hats and USFS T-shirts, they had a wonderful time interacting with other hikers, helping with the cooperative mountain goat education program.
The Forest Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and FSPW share the goal of educating the public about safe hiking in mountain goat territory. Hikers are encouraged to wave their arms, yell and smack their hiking poles together to encourage the goats to keep a safe distance. The goats are seeking salt and have learned that humans are a source.
Mary Franzel, FSPW mountain goat ambassador coordinator reminds people about goats: “They are wild animals and as such, are unpredictable. Their horns are sharp and they can bite – hard. Hikers are encouraged to be very careful to not spill when eating near the summit and to never leave food behind.”
The many hikers weekend hikers also encountered a new mountain goat habitat sign. Provided by the U.S. Forest Service and installed by Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, the new sign asks people to, please keep at least 100 feet between themselves and the goats, even if they approach them. The sign reminds hikers not feed, leave food or allow the goats to lick them or their sweaty equipment. By doing so, the measures will help keep the trail open and safe for both hikers and the goats.
“Our volunteers this summer deserve a big thank you,” said Fanzel. “They have done an outstanding job and the Forest Service has received quite a few positive comments about them on the goat survey cards at the trail head sign.
September and October are great months to hike Scotchman. The temperatures are cooler and the views are amazing with fall colors. There are still a couple Sundays available volunteers — Sept. 16 and 23 — who would like to hike as an ambassador. It’s very easy and, as the Harrison family showed, can be lots of family fun. Email Mary@scotchmanpeaks.org for more information.