Hiking with goats—miles of fun, no heavy lifting required

As I pulled into Carson River Park I realized I’d neglected to get a description of the person I was meeting with. A moment later I spotted two women surrounded by a small herd of goats in the parking lot. Clearly, I was in the right place. 

I’d come to Carson City to hit the trails with High Sierra Pack Goats. Owner Jodie Gullickson founded the company to help hikers experience the Lake Tahoe backcountry. Traditionally, multi-day hikes are only accessible to people strong enough to carry provisions like tents, food and water on their backs. Gullickson’s goats are trained to pack those heavy supplies, so hikers of all stripes can spend days or even weeks in the wilderness. 

Due to the snow still lingering in the mountains even at the peak of summer, thanks to an epic snowfall in the winter of 2022 and 2023, High Sierra Pack Goats isn’t offering backcountry hikes during the 2023 season, but Gullickson still offers short day hikes in Carson City. And that was just fine by me. A multi-day hike would undoubtedly test my limits, even with goats doing the heavy lifting. But a few hours of gorgeous scenery with some cute goat companions? I was all in. 

Keep reading to learn more about hiking with goats and why everyone should give it a try. 

Gullickson started by explaining there were a couple of ground rules for interacting with her goats. “If they approach you, you can pet them anywhere but their horns,” she said.”Those horns are sharp. Right now, they never come into contact with people and I want to keep them out of the habit.” She also explained it was important to pay attention to where the goats were stepping, since goats weigh hundreds of pounds and might inadvertently knock you over or step on your foot. 

After this introduction, the goats approached as if they’d been politely waiting for a break in the conversation. They stood in front of me hopefully, eager to be petted, and I was happy to oblige. There were six goats in all, and they behaved a little like dogs, nudging each other out of the way to vie for my attention. I did my best to dole out my affections equally, making sure each received plenty of pats on the rump and strokes on the neck. After I made their acquaintance, I stuffed my pockets with the goat treats Gullickson laid out on the bed of her pickup truck.

Gullickson told me that for her, the goats were more than mere pack animals. A few years ago she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail on her own. The 2,650-mile trail involves harrowing conditions like potential encounters with rattlesnakes or bears, swift water crossings and extreme weather. She made it more than 700 miles before a sprained ankle ended the adventure. 

Gullickson said the hardest part of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail wasn’t the physical challenge, it was the solitude. There were stretches when she would go for days without seeing another human being. The loneliness almost broke her before the sprained ankle did. When she returned home she started researching pack goats as much for companionship as for their ability to carry heavy loads. Although many goats are bred for that purpose, she rescued the goats in her herd from places like meat farms and trained them as pack animals once they felt comfortable in their new surroundings. In 2021, she and her goat herd hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail, with four goats carrying her gear and offering her companionship along the trail’s 165 miles.

On our hike, we were joined by Gullickson’s helper and one other hiker. The goats, however, were the undeniable stars of our excursion, eliciting smiles and greetings from each person we passed on the path. At the trailhead, Guillickson explained that goats will sometimes select a favorite human to bond with during a hike, but I tried not to get my hopes up. I desperately wanted a goat to choose me as its best friend but didn’t want to be disappointed if I wasn’t selected. Before long, however, I noticed that each time I hung back from the group to take photos, a sweet white male named Jon Snow stopped to wait for me. He spent the majority of the hike by my side and I rewarded his loyalty with pets and an occasional treat. 

I’d never explored the trail system surrounding Carson River Park and quickly resolved to add it to my go-to list of Lake Tahoe-area hiking trails. The terrain was easy, flat and peppered with gorgeous river, meadow and mountain views. Large hawks circled above us and brightly-hued wildflowers dusted the landscape. The area is home to feral mustang horses and although we didn’t see any on our hike, there were sporadic signs posted along the trail warning not to approach or feed wild horses if we encountered them on the path. 

I work from home and although I consider myself lucky to spend my days tapping at my keyboard, I spend far too much time inside. Studies have shown that as little as two hours a week in nature can have a positive impact on our physical and mental health. And boy did walking along the path, listening to the sound of the river and soaking in views of the mountains feel good. My morning grogginess melted underneath the warmth of the sun and the train of goats leading the way made me happy. 

The goats, for their part, seemed content as they stopped to munch on tufts of grass along the trail. As we walked back to the car I walked a little slower, reluctant for the experience to end. Jon Snow slowed down too, adjusting his gait to match mine. The lightest of breezes rustled through the wildflowers. For a moment it looked like they were vibrating with joy. 

• Wear layers. Hikes typically start in the morning when the weather may be cooler but temperatures can heat up quickly. 
• Wear closed-toed shoes. 
• Be sure to apply sunblock.  
• High Sierra Pack Goats provides water and snacks. On longer hikes, you can bring a picnic lunch for the goats to carry. (L.A. Bakery in downtown Carson City has amazing made-to-order wraps and sandwiches and it’s only a 10-minute drive from Carson River Park.) 
• Gullickson believes everyone deserves a chance to experience nature. If a person with a disability needs assistance to participate in a goat hike, she’ll waive the fee for their helper. 
• Day hikes options run between around $75-$150 per person, depending on the location and length of the hike. Multi-day hikes are already being booked for 2024. Check out all the options online.

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].