Rendezvous

Idaho here we come!

Join us as we celebrate 25 years of NAPgA.  We are really excited to announce our special 25th Anniversary guest speaker, John Mionczyinski. John is considered by many to be the “Father of Goatpacking” in North America and authored the book The Pack Goat. If you’ve never heard his iconic brand of storytelling (on everything from pack goats to Bigfoot), you are in for a one of a kind experience!

At the Rendy we’ll also have lots of hands-on opportunities to see different packgoat gear, learn about backcountry set ups, talk to experts and also just enjoy “packgoat talk” in a beautiful setting. We are also planning a couple of workshops on goat health, including how to assess goats for parasites (FAMACHA).

Location:  Our 25th Rendezvous will be located at Henry's Lake, Island Park, Idaho  Plan to visit and celebrate NAPgA's 25th Anniversary.  

Directions: The turn off is on the Red Rock Road off of US 20 there will be a sign there on the west side. Once you are on the Red Rock Road  (this is also a large parking area on both sides of the road) go west 2.6 miles and turn left on a dirt road. There will be a sign there. It is about a third of a mile to the rendezvous site.

It is 17 1/4 miles south of West Yellowstone, Or 5.8 miles south from the US 20 and Highway 87 intersection north of Henrys Lake 3.85 miles north on US 20 from Island Park Village and the Sawtelle Peak Road. 5.6 miles north of Macks Inn area on US 20.

Rendy Schedule: Rendy Schedule

Coordinates & Elevation:

Coordinates are  44.58828  -111.38359

Elevation is 66640 ft.

Cell Service:  Cell service for most carriers and a ham radio repeater VHF about 9000 feet on a mountain above us.

Camping:  This is a primitive camping area is shaded by ponderosa pines.  We will provide portable outhouses.  Remember what we pack in, we pack out, including waste.  Leave No Trace.  Certified weed free hay is required.

Alternative Lodging:  Maxine area about 5 miles to the south has a Marriott hotel. Also, Island Park Village area may still have rooms, West Yellowstone has a bunch. There are also a lot of short term rentals such as VRBO. There’s also camping outside the official rendezvous site that should also right off Highway 20 about half a mile down Red Rock Road.

Water and Hiking:  Access to Henrys Lake is about 2 or 3 miles away. There is a small stream about 100 yards below the campsite for Goat water . There’s hiking right from the campsite. and a lot of trails within 10 miles. and part of the Continental Divide Trail.

Meals:  Potluck style meals Friday and Saturday night, breakfast potluck (with Clay's famous sourdough pancakes) Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Cook up your best campfire dish to share.

Once again we will host a Trail Trial!  Saturday morning Kids (the human ones) will have an opportunity to test their skills as packgoat handlers with their very own goats.  Don’t have goat?  We will supply one!  Adults!  We won't disappoint.  Bring your string and we will give you an opportunity to win a belt buckle too.

Please share this information with your local 4H and FFA groups.  We welcome all kids (the human ones) and their families to join !

The Youth Trail Trial will be for three different age groups.

• • All youth can enter age appropriate using their own goat or borrowing one.
  • Awards will be given in each class, with an overall high point belt buckle for each age group
  • The course will consist of obstacles commonly found on the trail
  • FREE entry for all youth

The Adult Trail Trial will be available for all adults.  We recommend using one or two goats with or without packgear.

Course will be available to walk, without goats, prior to the Trials

Trail Trial Entry Form Fillable

Rules of the Rendy

All out of state goats must have health certificates. State law requires that all goats brought in from other states must have a recent, veterinarian-issued health certificate and be individually identified by either a scrapie tag or tattoos and/or microchip with registration papers.

NAPgA Best Management Practices are required. Please follow them.

Goats need to be tethered, corralled or leashed at all times.

Use only certified weed-free hay. This is a Forest Service/BLM rule for all pack stock.  Please obey it.

Protect the trees. Goats love to strip trees, so please tether or pen your goats where they can’t destroy them.

Ask permission before you pet. Some people do not want you touching their goats, and some goats don’t like strangers.  We also don’t want to spread germs.  Baby goats are especially susceptible to getting sick from bacteria that older goats are resistant to, do not touch them without the owner’s permission.  Please use hand sanitizer before and after handling kids.  Let’s keep our goats healthy!

Control your dogs. Do NOT let your dog wander or allow it to approach other people’s goats.  Keep dogs on a maximum 6-foot leash when near goats or people.  Always pick up after your dog.

Use the porta-potties. NAPgA has rented porta-potties for our use.  Do NOT use the vault toilet.  Leave it for the folks who aren’t part of our Rendy.

Supervise your children.  We love to see kids run and play but please do not allow them to disrupt talks or disturb other campers.

This is bear and cougar country.  Store your trash and food every evening so it does not attract them.  Keep your eyes and ears open, carry bear spray and watch your children, especially dusk to dawn.  Use bells on your goats at night so you can hear them startle.

“Leave No Trace.” Please pick up everything around your camp before leaving, including old hay and bedding.  Disperse goat droppings so they don’t impact future recreationists.  Once you’ve moved your tent or trailer check your camp again.  Pack it up, pack it out.

Quiet time is 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.