See Mountain Goats April 16

Viewers gather to watch goats at last year's event.

Photo by Scott Root, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Sandy -- Colorful flowers and warmer weather aren’t the only signs spring is here: So are mountain goats at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon!

You can see and learn more about the goats at a free wildlife-viewing event. The event will be held Saturday, April 16. Free activities for your children are also part of the event.

Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says April is one of the best months to see the goats. “This event will be a great opportunity to get out and watch their sure-footed antics,” he says.

The April 16 event will be held at the Park-and-Ride lot at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County. DWR biologists will be at the lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To reach the canyon, travel east out of Sandy on 9400 South.

“You’ll be able to get a front-row look at these agile rock climbers using spotting scopes and binoculars we’ll have on hand,” Walters says. “You can also pick up a poster and a card that will teach you more about mountain goats.”

Activities for children will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. “Your kids can stamp goat tracks using ink stamps and paper that we’ll make available,” Walters says. “We’ll also have some goat horns and goat fur that you and your kids can pick up and handle.”

For more information, call Walters at (801) 209-5326.

Viewing goats on your own
If you’d like to see the goats before April 16, swing by the parking lot any time during the day. Fixed-point telescopes are available at the lot. The telescopes will allow you to get a close look at the goats. And an interpretive panel at the parking lot will teach you more about them.

Walters says goats are usually visible at the mouth of the canyon from November through mid April.



Free Full Moon Snowshoe Outings in a Winter Wonderland!

Clear skies or cloudy, nothing beats snowshoeing under a full moon with fresh snow in the mountains. Join the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for a free evening, learn about the nocturnal residents of the mountains in winter. This is a great way to spend a night wandering around on snowshoes!

Upcoming scheduled dates include--

•January 21st, Friday 2011 7:00PM Spruces Campground, Big Cottonwood Canyon
•February 18th, Friday 2011 7:00PM Alta
•March 19th, Saturday 2011 8:00PM Spruces Campground, Big Cottonwood Canyon
•April 16th, Saturday 2011 8:00PM Alta

How to make a reservation:
•To make a free reservation, call (801) 466-6411
•Reservations can be made up to 2 weeks in advance
•We can take reservations for groups up to 6 people

Outings will be cancelled in case of inclement weather.

High Water Impacts Forest Roads and Facilities-- Officials Urge Caution

SALT LAKE CITY, June 7, 2010 – Triggered by rapid snowmelt, swift and high water in streams and rivers are impacting localized roads and recreational areas on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Areas and roads inundated by water have been temporarily closed off to the public. In camping facilities with flooding, campers have been relocated to higher ground. Forest crews are working to manage water flows and mitigate impacts.

Areas affected by swift, high water include Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons, American Fork Canyon, North Slope of the High Uintas, Mirror Lake Highway, Stansbury Mountains, and Weber River area near Kamas.

A Forestwide assessment of the impacts is underway. More information will be provided as it becomes available. In the interim, Forest officials emphasize for their own safety that visitors adhere to road closure signage or blockades. Travelers should not attempt to cross roads where water is flowing across. Visitors should use extreme caution when recreating around fast moving streams or rivers. Also, parents should keep children close-by and insure they understand the dangers of fast moving water.

In the affected areas, a limited number of campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads are under emergency closures to protect public health and safety due to the high water and run-off. Currently, these are:

Ledgemere Picnic area, Big Cottonwood Canyon – Closed

Temple Quarry Trailhead, Little Cottonwood Canyon – Closed

Upper Narrows, Lower Narrows and Loop Campgrounds, South Willow Canyon, Stansbury Mountains – Closed

Little Mill Picnic Area and Campground, American Fork Canyon – Partially Closed

Mile Rock Picnic Area, American Fork – Closed

Ledgefork Campground, Weber River Area near Kamas – partially closed

Lower Provo River Campground, Mirror Lake Highway – Closed

For information on specific campground closures, contact campground concessionaire American Land & Leisure at (801) 226-3564.

Forest roads under emergency closure include:

East Fork of the Black Fork, south of Uinta Junction, North Slope of the Uintas

Access road to Hoop Lake Campground, North Slope of the Uintas

North Slope Road at West Beaver cross, North Slope of the Uintas

Information on emergency closures will be updated as information becomes available. For information on the North Slope road closures, contact the Evanston-Mt. View Ranger District at 307-789-3194 or 307-782-6555. Please note: The US Forest Service is responsible for managing National Forest System (NFS) roads. Closures on state or county roads crossing NFS lands are managed by their respective jurisdictions.