The mountain goats have descended down to the Goat Lick at U.S. Highway 2. Counted 25 yesterday, which is a good number. Looks like many of the young have survived the winter. The older ones are holding up as well. This tough old goat had a horn half broken off. The goats drop down to the cliffs along the Middle Fork to eat mineral soils there (that's right, they eat the dirt). I've actually tasted it and can only say this: It tastes like dirt. The minerals, it is surmised, help with their thick coats as well as replenish minerals that will be lost when they have kids in May. The lick is also home to mule deer, elk, bears and a host of birds. A viewing platform is just off the highway, but the parking lot is still full of snow.