I read an article in a Montana travel magazine about the 2.25 hour roundtrip cruise to Goat Haunt Ranger Station at the south end of Upper Waterton lake and was intrigued by the enthusiastic description of this relatively little-known spot.

We took the cruise operated by the Waterton Shoreline Cruise Company—both in early June and in late September. The June trip was on an exceptionally calm day, whereas it was very windy on the day in September, making it feel much colder.

On both occasions, we just missed the chance to ride on the M/V International, the beautiful ship in use since 1927: In June it wasn’t yet in-service for the season; and in September, we watched from aboard the Connie Marlene as the International cruised to dry dock at the storage shed near Goat Haunt Ranger Station.

M/V International at Waterton Village dock (June 2015)

M/V International en-route to dry dock for winter (September 2015)

Shed with dry dock for M/V International (June 2015)

Goat Haunt is in Montana, just across the international border which is cleared periodically by a work crew. People who choose to go hiking from Goat Haunt are required to show their passports across a picnic table at the ranger station staffed by Homeland Security personnel.

US-Canada border on Upper Waterton Lake (September 2015)

On June 1, we walked a short distance ashore at Goat Haunt, taking in the views of the surrounding mountains and noticed the weathered sign marking the spot

Looking northwest from shore at Goat Haunt (June 2015)

The Rockies present some wonderful opportunities to see compelling geologic features, and the Goat Haunt cruise is no exception: One of the featured spots is a remarkably sharp fold in the rock along the eastern shore of the lake.

Rock fold along Upper Waterton Lake shore (June 2015)

The rock layers on the surrounding mountains display prominent layers which also draw the eye.