They announced the lifting of closures on a number of trails Thursday, so you know where a few of us had to go Friday, right? (Sorry I missed crossing trails with you, Don!)
As I was ambling southward along the PCT, I came across what I'm almost certain was a snag of goat hair on a branch that overhung the trail...
Another angle...
For comparison, here's a shot I took up on Mount Adams, near Glacier Lake, a few years ago...
Nothing else it could be, right? My understanding is it's been decades since any have been seen there! Would appreciate hearing otherwise, if I'm mistaken.
Yesterday's photos taken here, where the rectangular photo icon is, just a bit south of (what's left of) Camp Smokey...
Other friends stumbled across a black bear on Herman, yesterday, too. Seems the wildlife has appreciated our absence over the winter!
General observations...
I was actually quite surprised what fine shape the PCT was in! Had been prepared to see far worse devastation than what was encountered. Most of the plateau was either completely spared or fairly low intensity burn (no crowning). Only from about Camp Smokey south to nearly Chinidere was the destruction severe.
Herman was far worse. The upper stretches have sections that are completely grown over, including plenty of devils club. Thankfully, nothing at all is burned from Chinidere until some ways below Cedar Swamp, which is just as freakin' glorious as ever! Fair number of hefty logs to hurdle farther down, in the burned areas. Kind of sad walking through there.
The joy of walking these trails again on the Oregon side was profound. I didn't hurry at all...
General route.
Final stats.
Goats in the Gorge?
Goats in the Gorge?
Last edited by kepPNW on May 2nd, 2019, 6:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
Re: Goats in the Gorge?
Looks goaty to me, but I'm really skeptical. You should grab some and give to USFS for DNA analysis. It could also possibly be insulation from someone's ratted out jacket? Were all the pieces you found in close proximity to one another? On or off trail? Any other spoor?
- adamschneider
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Re: Goats in the Gorge?
I suppose it's possible that the Yocum Ridge goat has wandered north...
Re: Goats in the Gorge?
It was one clump on one overhanging branch. Looked for droppings, and didn't see. Thought I may have seen a few hoof prints, but non-definitive. I hate to say it, but I did snag a smallish sample thinking it could be significant to someone. So that's available, if there are any researchers reading this.pcg wrote: ↑June 16th, 2018, 9:43 amLooks goaty to me, but I'm really skeptical. You should grab some and give to USFS for DNA analysis. It could also possibly be insulation from someone's ratted out jacket? Were all the pieces you found in close proximity to one another? On or off trail? Any other spoor?
Tom reminded me (in PH) that there were some introduced on Tanner awhile ago, too?adamschneider wrote: ↑June 16th, 2018, 10:42 amI suppose it's possible that the Yocum Ridge goat has wandered north...
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
- Don Nelsen
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Re: Goats in the Gorge?
Hey Karl, nice TR and great info - and great job doing such a major hike! Sorry I missed you too - looks like we travelled some of the same ground yesterday just not at the same time. I saw Collette on the way back hiking out with the Sprengers4JC and they told me a little about what you were up to.
Also, looks like goat hair to me too. I'll keep a lookout for more of it as I will be doing all the open trails over the next couple of weeks.
dn
Also, looks like goat hair to me too. I'll keep a lookout for more of it as I will be doing all the open trails over the next couple of weeks.
dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
Re: Goats in the Gorge?
Thanks, Don! That's such a lovely loop, even still. I pulled into the TH just a bit after the gals, so we caught up there, and they told me you'd been through. I need to do that loop of yours, sometime soon, as well!Don Nelsen wrote: ↑June 16th, 2018, 8:04 pmHey Karl, nice TR and great info - and great job doing such a major hike! Sorry I missed you too - looks like we travelled some of the same ground yesterday just not at the same time. I saw Collette on the way back hiking out with the Sprengers4JC and they told me a little about what you were up to.
Pretty amazing to think they may be wandering around up there, (almost) completely undetected, huh? Not sure I'll hit every newly re-opened trail that quickly, but definitely appreciating them (far!) more than usual this time of year.Don Nelsen wrote: ↑June 16th, 2018, 8:04 pmAlso, looks like goat hair to me too. I'll keep a lookout for more of it as I will be doing all the open trails over the next couple of weeks.
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
Re: Goats in the Gorge?
How exciting!
I've been working on an art project in recent months on this topic. It's the tale of an epic goat journey in graphic novel form. Will share......eventually.
I've been working on an art project in recent months on this topic. It's the tale of an epic goat journey in graphic novel form. Will share......eventually.
Re: Goats in the Gorge?
IKR? Totally blew me away to see it hanging over the trail. Would be so fun to have them join us there again.
Cool! Look forward to that.
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...