But it will look a lot different than on Friday. That winter storm did roll in Friday night and continued much of the day Saturday bringing rain/snow mix in the valley (snow on the grassy areas) and around 20 inches of snow in the mountains. Finally exceeding 300 inches for the year at the Little Cottonwood Canyon ski resorts! Still far from the 500 inch average but since mid-Feb we are making up some ground with yet another storm predicted Thurs/Friday.
When I leave around 8:30 this morning, there are blue skies to the north (where I'm heading) and still very cloudy in the valley.
I arrive at the causeway to blue skies, a bit of sun, temperatures near 32 and very snowy views -- pretty awesome!
(Once the sun comes out, all this beautiful snow will be gone.)
But it's still very windy, this time from the north. Call me crazy but despite it being 10 degrees colder than Friday and a good north wind, I'm hiking today!
As I cross the causeway, I see a Northern Harrier land in the vegetation along the side of the road. I pull off, exit my car and try to get a peek of the bird. I don't see the bird but I do see movement in the vegetation and then up comes the bird as he lifts into the sky. He sticks around soaring above.
Continuing on, another hawk (perhaps an immature Harrier) catches my eye as I pass by. He is perched on some junk in the dry lake bed. I do a U-turn and roll back for a closer look. Awesome!
I then continue on to the island and then head towards the Ranch.
There are 2 bison on the side of the road not far from the Visitor's Center. The one bison has a snowy beard under the chin.
The other, I can hear him pulling the grass and chewing with Lark songs in the background.
I continue on enjoying the snowy views.
As I near Frary Peak, I see that lone bison from Friday still under the White Rock ridge.
Somewhere after Frary Peak the island's snow disappears - darn, I was hoping to walk thru it today.
The weather hasn't moved the animals around as I only see a porcupine before reaching the Ranch.
However, I do see a herd of bison south of the Sentry Peak trail so some movement has happened.
I start off with the wind thankfully at my back for a bit before turning west towards Mushroom Springs. I'm hoping as I get closer to the mountain, the wind will calm. I'll see how that works out in a bit.
I reach the Springs and head south towards the uphill section. Far ahead of me I see a portion of that bison herd moving up the mountains. And they are running. Wondering what's causing them to run? Soon I watch the entire herd running up the slopes.
I just continue up the first hill, across the flat switchback (my theory fails, it's still very windy) and then up the final hill.
I reach the ridge and snow!!!! (Just a dusting though.)
Down the west side is a large herd of bison.
I start across the ridge. I'm on alert for stray bison because there's far bison below me and as I start across, I can't see down the ridge.
Along the way, I find some icy Spring Parsley.
Finally, I can see those bison below me.
And when I look right, well hello Mr Bison - he's about 40 yards away.
I continue on and just south of the bison is a lone pronghorn laying on the ground.
He must smell me because he stands and looks uphill in my direction.
And then he takes off running.
I continue across behind Sentry Peak and then start the downhill. Hey, there's those bison I just saw running uphill in the distance!
I continue down to my car and head back up the island and then home.
Awesome day!
