Dec 29 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island for my final hike of 2018. :(

It's a cold one this morning - temps around 20 degrees. It's supposed to be sunny but it's pretty cloudy as I leave my house.

And it's still cloudy when I arrive on the causeway just after 8am. It's cold, frozen, very grey looking except an orange patch of sky somewhere south of Salt Lake. Hoping that orange get's here before I start my hike.

Nothing happening along the causeway until I reach open water by the bridge. There's plenty of ducks hanging out in that open water on the Salt Lake side. (It's a black blob of ducks!)

Passing by the docks, surprise, there's Bald Eagle perched!!! (I'm not surprised to see them now as we've been way below normal highs for a couple of weeks now.)

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch.  No animals behind the Visitor's Center but I do spot 3 bison south of the fence line.

Amazingly quiet except for the 2 porcupine in the trees all the way past the Frary Homestead.

(Unless one considers the guy in the truck who thinks he's in Europe driving on the wrong side of the road looking for animals or the two trucks with about 10 men and spotting their scopes basically blocking the south-bound lane of traffic looking for critters in the mountains. Strange.)

Finally, I spot a small herd of Pronghorn near the shoreline (yea!)

Driving maybe 30 feet farther down the road, there's a small herd near the road looking at me.

I continue down to the Ranch. Still no sun but there's blue sky to the west. Don't usually hike with temps in the low 20s and no sun but I'm pretty sure the sun is coming (and there's no wind) so off I go.

As I walk down the dirt road towards the Sentry Trail, I spot some Pronghorn in the distance to the west. They are moving towards Mushroom Springs.

I also continue my record year of Pheasant sightings as I see 3 Pheasant in a fenced area just passed the Ranch. (And I hear a coyote howling - just briefly.)

The pheasant fly before I can get near.

I reach the trail head and start towards Mushroom Springs. In the distance to the south, I see a herd of bison along the slopes -- just tiny black spots.

As I get closer to the Springs, I spot more Pronghorn north of me but they are moving towards Mushroom Springs.

I lose them in the rolling landscape. But soon a couple of them sprint across the road in front of me. I stop because I know more are coming. And they keep coming!!

They stop just past the trail for all of them to arrive and trot off to the south. I can still see them when they finally stop.

I arrive a Mushroom Springs and keep following the trail. There's still no sun and my feet are getting cold. Need some sun soon!!

But I start heading up the hill, I see more Pronghorn to the south. This herd is closer to the mountains.

I make my way up to the first switchback

and then start crossing.

As I reach the end, there's still no sun and my left foot is frozen. I'm sure the sun is coming but I need to head down. (There'll be more opportunities this winter.)

Back down the Mushroom Springs and then east to the road. I see yet another herd of Pronghorn to the north.

Again moving towards Mushroom Springs. (Lots of Pronghorn on the move today!)

On the drive back north, that first herd of Pronghorn near the shoreline, well, they're still there but now they are all laying down.

A bit farther north, I spot a coyote trotting south along the shoreline.

No other animals sightings all the way back to the causeway (including the loop around the Visitor's Center).

The eagle that was perched by the docks earlier is gone.

Just east of the bridge, I see a large black bird on the ice.

I spot to check him out -- it's a Bald Eagle!

I don't see any feathers on the ice so I'm pretty sure he's not feeding on the duck.

Finally, as I'm about ready to exit the park, I see a Kestrel perched on a sign.

Great day!

Dec 26 - Zion National Park (Snow!)

Even though the forecast yesterday said snow, there was no snow. However, it did rain all day including a heavy rain late in the evening. The temperatures were in the upper 30s so there is a chance that there could be snow in the higher elevations when the sun rises this morning. I'm so hoping for it!

The sky lightens and guess what - snow!! It's high up on the red rocks but it's there - I can see it between the still lingering clouds! Awesome!

I'm so excited. I quickly pack my car and head into the park arriving just before 7:30 am. I can't see the snow from the Visitor's Center, I need to get high. That leaves either getting on a crowded bus and traveling about 30 minutes to stop 7 - Weeping Rock, taking a few pix (hopefully with no humans in it) and loading back up on the bus for a return trip OR hiking the Watchman Trail again (quiet, no people and definitely no chance of humans in my photos). I'm doing the Watchman Trail!!! Off I go!

There's no snow on the valley floor; it's just wet from all the rain.

I'm moving as fast as I can because I want to be at the viewpoint before the clouds clear.

I start the up hill section. All the deer that were here yesterday are gone. Well almost, I see a good sized buck. Actually, he sees me first and there I hear ker-thump, ker-thump as he prances thru the sagebrush. Thankfully, he doesn't go far and he starts eating the leaves off a tree. Pretty cool!

Continuing up

As I climb, I see small patches of snow on branches, cactus etc but it's no very prevalent.

At the point of the trail where the climb is pretty much done and I turn right, there's finally snow on the ground (just a dusting) and crunchy ice pellets on the trail.

I reach the viewpoint in less than an hour. There's still clouds but peeks of snowy red rock.

The view towards Springdale looks incredible!

And the Watchman and fellow peaks are brightening as the sun continues to rise behind them.

Time to stand and watch and hope that the clouds clear over time. So there I stand in the 33 degree morning....waiting. Portions clear as others cloud up constantly.

I wait over 30 minutes --- the sun is brightening the valley slowly. But the red rocks are still battling the clouds for that totally clear view. I think it's going to be a while -- and I'm happy with the views I've seen

so it's time to start down. I'll have views along the way.

I reach the bottom and head to the Virgin River to enjoy some more snowy views down canyon

as I work my way back to the Visitor's Center.

That's the end of my Zion visit -- awesome ending!!!

I was heading to Bryce Canyon for some snowshoeing but heard there's no snow to shoe so I'm heading home. Great trip!

On my way east back to I-15, I get to enjoy the red rock mesas and the snowy mountains north of St George.

Heading north towards Cedar City, the all the brown that I saw on Sunday is gone replaced by snow on the hills/mountains but not on the ground yet. About 20 miles south of Cedar City, the snow's on the ground now! And the sagebrush, junipers, ... are covered. It's so incredibly beautiful!! Love fresh snow!

And that's the view I get all the way back to Salt Lake! Fantastic! And that small herd of Pronghorn that I saw on Sunday. Well, I see them again - this time there's has to be at least 100 of them! Best drive north ever!

Incredible day!

Dec 25 - Zion National Park (The Watchman)

It's Christmas!!

Got to admit when I woke this morning I was hoping to see snow. It was in the forecast last night. But no snow so far this early morning.

Very basic plans today. Walk the Watchman Trail and the Parius Trail along the River.

It's in the mid-30s and very cloudy when I arrive at the park just after 8am. The Watchman's trail head is near the Visitor's Center so I just walk over to the Virgin River

and start up the trail. The trail follows the river for a while before finally heading east towards the rocks.

I reach the "real" trail and start the upward climb. I haven't gone far when I see 7 deer alongside the trail. They are enjoying their Christmas morning breakfast!

They are wild but are very used to people. I walk up to one standing right on the trail and the deer finally moves when I'm about 1-2 feet away. Pretty cool!

I decide to leave them and continue up the trail. I round the corner and I find even more deer! There's got to be 15+ animals.

I continue on up and towards the Watchman.

I've been on this trail before. Probably 10 years ago now. It was March and Zion just had 3-4 inches of snow overnight. It was wonderful with the morning sun. But this trail was snow covered so I just followed the existing footprints. I took them to where they ended. It was far along trail but definitely not the end. Curious to find the end today.

Along the way, I get sleeted on several times as I work my way up the switchbacks always keeping an eye on the views behind me.

and finally round a corner to the right. I'm finally remember being here last time! I had spotted not far after rounded this corner.

I continue around enjoying the foggy views down into/across the canyon.

And I finally reach the end of the trail!! With the views to the east.

 Out towards Springdale.

And out across the valley.

I see a little Canyon Wren hopping along the rocks.

When the sleet picks up, I decide it's time to head down.

Along the way, I see what I think is a Stellar's Jay in the Pine trees.

The deer are still there on my return. Most are now laying down.

As I work my way back to the Visitor's Center, it starts to rain. And rain hard at times. Since my only other plans were to walk the Virgin River, I decide to call it a day. It's a short day but a great day at that!

Merry Christmas!

Dec 24 - Zion National Park

Heading into Zion National Park today. I'm excited but curious as how the government shutdown will affect things. The state of Utah has decided to help keep additional basic services going in Bryce, Arches and Zion. But what that means, I'm not sure (but will soon find out).

The forecast is for sunny skies with highs in the low 50s (but it's starting out in the 30s).

I arrive in the park a little after 8am. I quickly see that the shuttle buses are running (yea!) Without them, it will be just crazy with cars. (And I quickly see two deer.)

The high tops of the rocks are a glowing red with the morning sun. I decide to take Mt Carmel Highway (heading east out of the park) as I want to see the sun shining on the Canyon Overlook Trail. This is a 2 mile out-n-back that heads over rocks, thru a cave to a wonderful view of Zion Canyon below. It's not the first time on the trail but I like it.

As I wind up the switchbacks heading to the Zion Tunnel, I enjoy the views

see also a large buck standing on the edge of the road (and the edge of a steep downhill).

The tunnel is one mile long. Without the 3 "windows" to let light in, it would be a bit claustrophobic (in my opinion).

The trail starts at the exit from the tunnel. I'm lucky to snag one of the last parking spots.

Up the trail I go enjoying the views along the way.

And then thru the cave

And finally to the viewpoint looking down into the canyon.

(Love the all the views at the viewpoint!)

Time to head back into the park and hop one of those shuttles.

My original goal is to hike to Observation Point. It's a 8 mile (round-tripper) with about 2100 ft of elevation gain. But I still have a sore knee.... I'll give it a shot. So off I go to Bus Stop #7. (The bus is packed.)

I see one deer as we travel to Bus Stop #7 (the Weeping Rock stop). Lot's of folks getting off here (it's about 10am). I might have a lot of company.

But first, I see 2 deer across the street near the Virgin River so I head down to see the river.

And the deer.

(And let all those people who just got off the bus to get a head start.)

Now it's my time to head up the many, many switchbacks.

The trail is concrete (some of it broken) but it's smooth going. Great views of the Weeping wall as I pass over it. (The dark spot towards the bottom.)

And the valley below -- somewhere out there is the infamous Angels Landing across the canyon.

At 0.8 miles and 850 ft gain, I reach the Hidden Canyon Trail. Unfortunately, the trail is closed due to torrential rain caused rock slides earlier this year. (The Upper Pool on the Emerald Pool trail is closed from the same storm as well.) I continue upwards.

Soon the trail flattens as it enters canyon.

Absolutely love this section. Big rock, steep drop offs,

and the canyon itself.

Up and around this water-filled slot, the beauty continues.

Until it opens up a bit.

See my first bird -- I think a Canyon Wren.

I go just a little farther but my knee is telling me to stop so time to head back down. :( (I'm  probably close to 2 miles in with 1000ft gained.)

Heading down I just enjoy the sunnier views!!

(There are now 6 deer down by the river. And lots of people.)

Once down, I catch the shuttle down to the end of the road -- the Temple of Sinawava with the River walk trail (1 mile one-way).

It's sunny here - yea! But very crowded as I start down the paved trail. The river is on the left. Sometime close and sometimes not.

At one point, I pass another weeping wall complete with small ferns.

On the way back, I walk partly along the river on a sandy path. I get to watch a Dipper hunt. He dives into the water several times and then pops back out on a rock to continue the hunt. Pretty fun stuff.

Great day! (Looking forward to tomorrow -- it's supposed to be snowing in the park -- it's Christmas!!