Mountain Goats on top of Mt St Helens!

[Chip Down]

I recently observed (complained) that I haven't seen goats on my last couple MSH trips. Today's route took me through a high grassy slope, and I got to see a couple goats who stopped their grazing and scampered off when they saw me. But the real excitement came when I reached the rim (unplanned, but so close, might as well). At the rim (between Monitor Ridge and the summit), I saw a big white dog. Odd. Hey, wait, that ain't no dog! It wandered off when it saw me. I continued up the rim towards the summit, hoping to get another look. No luck. I was so close to the summit, I decided I might as well, especially considering how quiet it was. From the summit I saw more goats exploring high points on the west rim (clockwise from the summit).

Question #1: Has this been observed before? I've never heard of goats on the crater rim.

Question #2: Why? There's no habitat for them up there (no running water, no food, no shelter). Of course, maybe they think the same thing when they see us up there.

Yeah, I know, these pics are awful. As bad as some Sasquatch pics.

[adamschneider]

They just seem to like being on top of high places.

[Chip Down]

Hmm...now that you mention it, I have seen goats perched on steep peaks with no evident purpose, except maybe as a defensive posture. Their normal habitat is so inhospitable though, it doesn't seem they have to worry about predators. Maybe I'm over thinking it though. Animals do weird random stuff.

[adamschneider]

Sometimes animals, like people or Cyndi Lauper, just want to have fun: https://youtu.be/bsiqdl6vsGQ

[retired jerry]

But did they have the proper permits??? The MSI needs their funds