There’s a very good chance that you’ll spot some wildlife along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats are pretty common, and they’ll probably show up around Logan Pass and some of the trails. I was lucky enough to spot both hanging out at the big curve just to the west of Logan Pass.
Location
Going-to-the-Sun Road reaches its highest point at Logan Pass, in the middle of Glacier National Park. Just down the hill to the west of the pass, you’ll find a small (and always crowded) parking area, that provides access to a boardwalk. This is a good place to look for Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep.
My Visit
I had some time to kill before catching the sunset near Logan Pass, and I couldn’t help but notice a crowd gathering along the side of Going-to-the-Sun Road — a crowd of people who were eagerly watching a crowd of animals.
Mountain Goats
A few mountain goats were hanging out in the meadow near the boardwalk, just west of Logan Pass. Dozens of people were watching them in the parking lot.
The goats (including this kid!) were even mingling with the humans in the parking lot. I’m not sure what exactly they were licking up off the pavement.
The entertainment wasn’t just goats, though.
There were at least a dozen bighorn sheep, slowly wandering along…
… navigating across the meadow and over the rocks.
And when they moved, the crowd followed, as they headed up the road…
… and thoughtfully posed next to a waterfall.
Sheep and goats are pretty common in this area, and you’ll likely spot a few. I also saw several mountain goats during my 2006 visit to Logan Pass, while hiking the Hidden Lake Trail. They are all pretty laid back and mellow, allowing you to get plenty of pictures. Keep in mind, though, they are wild animals, and could behave unpredictably.
Once the mountain goats and bighorn sheep were moving on, so did I, to a spot along the side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, to watch the sunset.
Drivelapse Video
Here’s a look at the drive across Logan Pass:
The Bottom Line
Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as you’re driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats are common.
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