Olympic National Park Goat Closures: What You Need to Know

Olympic National Park implemented goat closures in 2018 as part of a management plan to address the non-native mountain goat population. These closures affected various trails and areas within the park, primarily during September 2018. The closures were necessary to facilitate the capture and relocation of mountain goats to their native habitat in the North Cascades, as well as to conduct lethal removal operations for goats that could not be safely captured.

What Were the Specific Dates and Areas Affected by the Goat Closures?

olympic national park goat closures
Image ‘File:Olympic National Park (22476957334).jpg’ by Olympic National Park, licensed under Public domain

The goat closures in Olympic National Park primarily took place from September 5 to 27, 2018. During this period, several areas were affected:

  • Hurricane Hill Road beyond the visitor center was closed past Picnic Area A
  • Hurricane Hill Trail was closed
  • Switchback, Lake Angeles, and Heather Park trails were closed from September 10-21
  • Little River Trail and the Elwha to Hurricane Hill Trail remained open but without through access to the Hurricane Hill area
  • Trails near the visitor center, including Cirque Rim, Big Meadow, and High Ridge, remained open
  • Klahhane Ridge was closed during helicopter operations, but the Klahhane Ridge Trail was open whenever possible

How Did the Park Manage Goat Populations During the Closures?

olympic national park goat closures
Image ‘File:Olympic National Park (23073661386).jpg’ by Olympic National Park, licensed under Public domain

The management of goat populations in Olympic National Park involved two primary strategies:

  1. Relocation: Mountain goats were captured using tranquilizer darts or net guns, then transported by helicopter and truck to the North Cascades. This was part of a four-year effort to relocate at least 50% of the goats to their native range.

  2. Lethal Removal: Goats that could not be captured were to be killed, either during ground and aerial hunts, or as part of ongoing maintenance activities focusing on areas near high visitor use and resource damage.

This combined approach aimed to address the non-native goat population while minimizing impact on the animals and preserving as many as possible by relocating them to their native habitat.

What Impact Did the Closures Have on Visitor Access?

The goat closures significantly impacted visitor access to certain areas of Olympic National Park. Here’s a breakdown of the effects:

Trail Closures

  • Hurricane Hill Trail
  • Switchback Trail
  • Lake Angeles Trail
  • Heather Park Trail

Limited Access

  • Little River Trail
  • Elwha to Hurricane Hill Trail (open but without through access to Hurricane Hill area)

Open Trails

  • Cirque Rim Trail
  • Big Meadow Trail
  • High Ridge Trail

Intermittent Closures

  • Klahhane Ridge (closed during helicopter operations)

Visitors had to adjust their plans and potentially choose alternative routes or activities during the closure period. This may have led to increased traffic on open trails and areas.

What Were the Accessibility Conditions and Transportation Options During Closures?

During the goat closures, accessibility and transportation within Olympic National Park were affected in several ways:

  1. Limited Trail Access: Many popular trails were closed or had limited access, requiring visitors to choose alternative routes or activities.

  2. Road Closures: Hurricane Hill Road was closed beyond Picnic Area A, limiting vehicle access to certain areas.

  3. Helicopter Operations: The presence of helicopters for goat capture and relocation operations could disrupt normal park activities and create noise disturbances.

  4. Alternative Transportation: Visitors had to rely on open roads and trails, potentially leading to increased congestion in accessible areas.

  5. Shuttle Services: Any existing shuttle services within the park may have had to adjust their routes to accommodate closures.

What Challenges Did Visitors Face During the Goat Closures?

Visitors to Olympic National Park during the goat closure period faced several challenges:

  1. Disrupted Plans: Many visitors had to alter their hiking or sightseeing plans due to trail and area closures.

  2. Limited Access: Popular areas like Hurricane Hill were inaccessible, potentially disappointing visitors who had specifically planned to visit these locations.

  3. Increased Crowding: Open trails and areas may have experienced higher than usual traffic as visitors concentrated in accessible locations.

  4. Noise Disturbances: Helicopter operations for goat capture and relocation could disrupt the peaceful park atmosphere.

  5. Safety Concerns: Visitors needed to be aware of and respect closure areas for their own safety and the success of the goat management operations.

  6. Information Management: Keeping up-to-date with changing closure information and finding alternative activities required extra effort from visitors.

Why Were the Goat Closures Necessary?

The goat closures in Olympic National Park were necessary for several reasons:

  1. Non-Native Species Management: Mountain goats are not native to the Olympic Peninsula and were introduced in the 1920s. Their presence has had negative impacts on the park’s ecosystem.

  2. Habitat Protection: Goats can damage sensitive alpine and subalpine vegetation through grazing and wallowing behaviors.

  3. Public Safety: There have been instances of aggressive goat behavior towards humans, including a fatal attack in 2010.

  4. Population Control: The goat population had grown to unsustainable levels, necessitating intervention to protect the park’s resources.

  5. Restoration of Native Habitat: Removing the goats allows the park to restore and protect native plant communities and wildlife.

  6. Relocation to Native Range: The closure allowed for the capture and relocation of goats to the North Cascades, where they are native and their population has been declining.

What Were the Long-Term Goals of the Goat Management Plan?

The goat management plan in Olympic National Park had several long-term goals:

  1. Ecosystem Restoration: Remove non-native goats to allow native plant communities and wildlife to thrive.

  2. Public Safety: Reduce human-goat conflicts and potential safety risks to park visitors.

  3. Resource Protection: Prevent further damage to sensitive alpine and subalpine environments.

  4. Population Balance: Relocate goats to their native habitat in the North Cascades to bolster declining populations there.

  5. Sustainable Management: Implement a plan that addresses the goat issue while minimizing lethal removal when possible.

  6. Visitor Experience: Ultimately improve the visitor experience by restoring the park’s natural ecosystem and reducing potential safety hazards.

By implementing these closures and management strategies, Olympic National Park aimed to address the complex issue of non-native mountain goats while balancing ecological needs, public safety, and visitor access to this beautiful natural area.

References

  1. Peninsula Daily News – Details of park goat removal plan released
  2. AdventuresNW – The Olympic Mountain Goats: End of an Era
  3. Washington Wild – Conservation Groups Support Translocation of Mountain Goats from the Olympics to North Cascades

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