Author Topic: Goats in the Enchantments (pic heavy!) (Read 6479 times)

javman · « **on:** July 22, 2009, 07:49:20 PM »

I just spent 3 days marching through the Enchantments for the first time. The goats are insane and not afraid of humans at all since it's an extremely popular hiking and backpacking destination (and they want the salt in your urine).

First morning we woke up to seven in camp (all nannies and kids), and a few more came later. We moved a few miles and the next morning there were at least ten in camp (with a couple billies), and I woke up to a goat shadow on my tent. The scenery was awesome. I think I took over 800 goat pics! Here's a few of the better ones...

I think this state could support more than 16 goat tags a year

javman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:52:08 PM »

And some more...

I had to sprint a couple hundred yards over boulders to get these shots of the goat on top of the waterfall...

My favorite of the bunch...

And my tent guardians:

gasman · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:59:37 PM »

Absolutly awsome pic.

Where is the place, i have not heard of it before.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:00:47 PM »

Great photos Javman. I love the enchantments and there are tons of goats there. Yet no tags... That place always reminds me of Logan Pass in Glacier Natl. Park. Tame goats. Even in Glacier they don't lick your urine though...

ButcherBoy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:01:01 PM »

SWWWWWEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!! Man I have to do that!!!!! Thee best pic's of goat's I've seen in a long long time! Thank you very much.

javman · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:04:55 PM »

Quote from: gasman on July 22, 2009, 07:59:37 PM

Where is the place, i have not heard of it before.

In the Alpine Lakes Wilderness out of Leavenworth. Pretty decent trek to get to the upper basin (over 5k elevation gain), and around 18 miles if you start on one side and come out on the other. It's so popular they only let 15 people camp up there per night, and there's a lottery system to get permits. Lottery was back in March or April I think. It is well worth the effort though!

RyanD · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:11:32 PM »

Those pics are AWESOME!!!!!!! Thanks for sharin.

swanny · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:12:06 PM »

Great pictures! I really need to get up there sometime, beautiful looking country.

Huntbear · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:08:01 PM »

Amazing pictures, of the goats and the scenery... That would make me want to get in REAL good shape and go hiking up there...

Tree Killer · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:11:42 PM »

Quote from: javman on July 22, 2009, 07:52:08 PM

My favorite of the bunch...

Very nice photos, thanks for sharing! The only thing that would make that photo better would be a long winter coat on the billy.

zackmioli · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:12:43 PM »

best pictures ive seen in a long time! stunning country!

MuleySniper · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:16:11 PM »

Those are so cool they almost look fake. That's Gods country for sure. Thanks for sharing.
MS

alecvg · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:23:12 PM »

Awsome! I want to go there!

Ray · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:33:57 PM »

Fantastic area and photos. It is just below Prusik Pass. About 9.5-10 miles from the road.

There are goats much closer to the road in that area. One place is up on "Snow Creek Wall". Go up the Snow Creek trailhead a few miles and then look right and across the drainage uphill to the wall across the way. You have to leave the trail and cross Snow Creek (usually wading or on blow downs) and head up the climbers path to the base of the wall.

The goats roam up above below and around that wall which is about 1/4 mile long or so. You can obtain the area above the wall by scrambling the gulley way out left. They will come right up to you. I am guessing Snow Creek Wall is about 3.5 miles from the road. There are raptors nesting there so a closure to the area may or may not be in effect.

javman · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:36:17 PM »

Thanks for the compliments everyone! Like pope said, they're pretty tame. But it'll freak ya out when you're trying to take a whiz and three goats surround you with their sharp horns and all

Somewhere along the trip I lost a 1 gig memory card that had another 100 plus shots on it

Luckily that was my smallest card...

Here's a couple more for the goat nuts out there.

shanevg · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:13:07 PM »

Those are some pretty awesome pictures, I will definitely have to get in there sometime to hang out with the mountain goats. As a lot of you probably know from my various posts, mountain goats are my favorite animals, so I love seeing any pictures of them! Thanks for posting!

What camera/lens are you using? Great clarity and quality of pictures!

Tom Reichner · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:25:55 PM »

What a wonderful series of images, Javman! That goat on the waterfall is a tremendous opportunity. I'm always looking for a photo opportunity that is different from the usual, and that certainly is! I've wanted to get up there for a couple years now, but having to choose your dates several months ahead of time is something that just hasn't worked out for me. Maybe next year.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #17 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:57:01 PM »

You can go off trail and hike to a few other lakes in the area and camp... Not sure on the rules with that? It is a long hike in there to the upper enchantments. I use to hike in there for the "golden" opportunities with my pack rod.

Ray · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2009, 11:00:25 PM »

The rangers require permits to camp in the Enchantments during the summer months which I believe is something like June 15th - October 15th. After October 15th then you do not need the permits to camp in the Enchantments and the larch trees turn gold. The second week of October is probably a good time from a photographer's point of view. Traveling to and from anywhere off trail is acceptable at any time.

Most of the time I have traveled just for a day to climb of Prusik Peak (7 times).

actionshooter · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2009, 11:46:35 PM »

awesome pics!!

SHANE(WA) · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:18:53 AM »

Those are awesome

boneaddict · « **Reply #21 on:** July 23, 2009, 05:37:00 AM »

Those ROCK Javman. OUTSTANDING
You have to put a couple in POM. WOW!

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #22 on:** July 23, 2009, 05:54:40 AM »

The goats in the Enchantments and for that matter Robin Lakes areas are like pets. If you want to take picks of them its easy. Just take a piss and they will practically run you over looking to lick the salt. We used to trick them by taking our water bottles filled with water and act like we were peeing. They would come running.

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #23 on:** July 23, 2009, 06:17:57 AM »

wow, awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing them

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #24 on:** July 23, 2009, 07:30:22 AM »

Very nice. And we have no tags there because?

Slider · « **Reply #25 on:** July 23, 2009, 09:30:15 AM »

Gods Country!!!

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #26 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:16:48 AM »

Quote from: WDFW-SUX on July 23, 2009, 07:30:22 AM

Very nice. And we have no tags there because?

It would be kind of odd to sit there and pee with your rifle in hand ready to go when they come up... Also, would this be considered baiting?

Bean Counter · « **Reply #27 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:20:18 AM »

Rifle? Ha! It wouldn't even be a challenge to hunt these guys with a primitive spear that you sharpened yourself. Seriously.

Great job on the photos. I was there this time last year and sometimes still dream about the place. Most beautiful backpacking trip I've ever been on.

Timber · « **Reply #28 on:** July 23, 2009, 09:45:04 PM »

Wow, those are some of the best Mt Goat pics I have ever seen! Good job!

Armadillo · « **Reply #29 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:33:20 AM »

Holy Cow, those are awsome pics. I love seeing the pic of the goat on the waterfall, beautiful country!!

javman · « **Reply #30 on:** July 24, 2009, 07:28:19 PM »

Quote from: WDFW-SUX on July 23, 2009, 07:30:22 AM

Very nice. And we have no tags there because?

Too many subarus at the trailhead

Shanevg: I'm in the minority here, with a Nikon D200. These pics were taken with both the 80-400mm telephoto and an 18-70mm standard zoom.

Thanks again for the compliments everyone

PacificNWhunter · « **Reply #31 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:49:46 PM »

Awesome pics

Antlershed · « **Reply #32 on:** July 24, 2009, 10:20:46 PM »

Quote from: javman on July 24, 2009, 07:28:19 PM

Quote from: WDFW-SUX on July 23, 2009, 07:30:22 AM
Very nice. And we have no tags there because?

Too many subarus at the trailhead

Shanevg: I'm in the minority here, with a Nikon D200. These pics were taken with both the 80-400mm telephoto and an 18-70mm standard zoom.

Thanks again for the compliments everyone

I'm in the minority with you, except I just have the D80 for now. Awesome pictures though.

bowhiker · « **Reply #33 on:** July 25, 2009, 06:40:10 PM »

I know everyone has said it, but WOW! Great pics of the country and the goats. Never heard of a draw to backpack in and camp though. I'm more of a just grab the pack and go. That might be my next venture.

ecnclan · « **Reply #34 on:** July 25, 2009, 08:55:26 PM »

Fantastic pictures! Brings back great memories of hiking through there years ago with my grandfather.

Jeffrey · « **Reply #35 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:22:48 PM »

Good golly Javman- This is like thumbing through the pages of a "high dollar" coffee table book! You have done yourself proud, and made us jealous.

BillyG · « **Reply #36 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:53:35 PM »

Great photos! I look forward to scouting for Goat this season in the Chowder Ridge area or West Mt.Baker . If anyone can provide Info it would be greatly appreciated!

Austrian Hunter · « **Reply #37 on:** July 26, 2009, 02:24:43 PM »

I think words cant describe these pictures, WOW is all I can say, well, type because I am speechless.

Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!

rosscrazyelk · « **Reply #38 on:** July 26, 2009, 04:05:29 PM »

Great pictures, Do you know is there only certain limit of permits to get in there or can you just go pick one up?

Branden · « **Reply #39 on:** July 26, 2009, 04:16:56 PM »

Great pics.

rosscrazyelk

There is a limit and the drawing is early in the year. But they also have permits that if you are lucky you can get from the Leavenworth RS early in the morning. You can also day hike the area if you want, just no camping.

tlbradford · « **Reply #40 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:49:15 AM »

I finally was able to catch up on some of the photography threads. Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your photos and story.

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Author Topic: Goats in the Enchantments (pic heavy!) (Read 6479 times)

Branden

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