Goat Haunt

Goat Haunt Overlook, a steep hike from the ranger station, offers an expansive view of Waterton Lake stretching into Canada.

Goat Haunt is a region of Glacier National Park in Montana, United States. Goat Haunt is located at the head of Waterton lake which is fed by the Waterton River. The headwaters for the Waterton River are located South of Goat Haunt Ranger Station at unnamed lakes located slightly higher than Nashukin Lake. The Goat Haunt area shares Waterton Lake with Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. This area is important for reinforcing the international nature of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. It also provides hiking trails that connect the United States and Canada. The region provides wildlife habitats on both sides of the border. As a largely unspoiled natural area, visitors experience an area with few facilities or amenities, but with historical importance including Waterton Townsite and mountain passes used by American Indians.

Goat Haunt Ranger Station includes an International Peace Park Pavilion which showcases the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park agreement. The Pavilion is located right off the main dock at the ranger station. This dock is where "The International" a tourist vessel that sails from Waterton Townsite to Goat Haunt Ranger station multiple times per day during the summer season. Goat Haunt Ranger station also has a smaller dock where private vessels and NPS boats (such as the 30' Boston Whaler used by the NPS on Waterton Lake) can dock when needed. The border crossing at Goat Haunt is done at the Goat Haunt Ranger Station which is currently equipped with a satellite which the rangers use to check passports. Goat Haunt Border Crossing is a Class B Port of Entry which means only US and Canadian Citizens may cross the border at this location. Goat Haunt Ranger Station also has a bunkhouse where NPS employees such as trail crews, maintenance teams or rangers live during the summer. There is another building for rangers with small apartment style living for rangers.

Goat Haunt Ranger Station is the first Ranger Station reached when hiking south on the Continental Divide Trail which goes from the Canadian Border just north of Goat Haunt south all the way to the US/Mexican border. The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail also passes by Goat Haunt as it travels from Chief Mountain Customs on the east side of the park all the way to the Pacific Ocean on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

Hikers starting in Canada and crossing the border must report to customs rangers at the Goat Haunt Ranger Station. For a period after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Goat Haunt border crossing was closed to prevent the possibility of terrorists using the border crossing to enter the United States. Unfortunately, this prevented legitimate visitors from crossing the border and caused concern for U.S. authorities. To make this possible, park rangers were deputized as U.S. Customs inspectors, and in May 2003, the border crossing was reopened.

Mount Cleveland towers over the Goat Haunt area.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, March 15, 2013. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.