Mount Ellinor reopens with mountain goat warnings

It’s been closed all summer due to mountain goat dangers, but the trail on Mount Ellinor in Olympic National Park reopens on Tuesday.

Even though the trail is opening, the U.S. Forest Service is warning hikers to be on the lookout for mountain goats, who can be dangerous this time of year.

“If a goat approaches you, do everything to chase it away. You can wave your clothing in the air, shout at it, throw rocks at it. If the goat continues to approach you, then you need to be more assertive in your actions to chase it away,” said Parks Service spokesperson Donna Nemeth.

One other bit of advice, Nemeth says, is if you have to relieve yourself, go at least 50 yards off the trial. The animals are attracted to the salt in urine.