Oct 28 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day in the 70s is the forecast for today so I'm heading up to Antelope Island to hike the White Rock Trail.

It might be a strange day on the island as yesterday was the yearly bison round-up. Probably 99% of the bison are in the corrals waiting for physicals next Saturday so it'll be different not to see the big herds. But there will be bison still around - those smart enough to evade the round-up which are usually the older bulls who tend to stay away from the main herds.

I arrive on causeway and start across. The water is slow flat this morning - incredible reflections in the water!

I notice a car pulled off the road and as I roll up, I see what they are watching - it's a coyote!!

I saw one on the north side of the causeway last time I was here; perhaps this is the same one staking out new territory.

At first, I think he has something in his mouth but on closer look, it appears he has a broken right canine (ouch!) (If this is the same one, I don't remember a broken tooth last week.)

He then lays down and begins to groom himself.

Not sure he will survive that tooth especially if it gets infected but right now, he looks in good shape other than the snaggle tooth.

Across on the south side of the road in the water are a bunch of Avocets!

Time to continue to the island and turn right towards the Ranch. As I pass behind the Visitor's Center, I see 3 bison to the right.

A little farther down the road near the 1st viewpoint, I see another 3 bison.

Down the hill from the viewpoint, I see a small black spot moving along the shoreline - it's coyote #2!!

As I approach the White Rock Trail's ridge line, I see spots of white on the mountain side -- a small herd of Pronghorn!!! Fantastic!

Moving on, and just past Frary Peak, I see 3 doe moving along the grasses on the shore line.

And then on the opposite side near the water basin, I see 2 more Pronghorn moving towards the water basin. They disappear behind the trees.

I arrive at the Ranch and simply turn around and head back north.

On the way back, I see those 3 doe again.

The Pronghorn are still on the mountain side and I see Coyote #3 moving along the road heading south just down from the first viewpoint. (Definitely a great day for coyote sightings!)

Time to head over to the west side of the island to begin my hike. On the way to the trail head, there are a few more bison that escaped the round-up over here. There's around 10 under Bison Point and a few that are just outside the Bison Corrals.

Time to hit the trail.

Most of the flowers are gone but there are a few sunflowers and Mullein hanging on.

But it's such a beautiful day out!

After climbing the first switchback, I head east

passing all those bison in the corrals.

Farther down the trail, I see a lone bison about 75 ft off the trail. He notices me as I pass but is no problem.

A little farther, there are 7 bison off to the left that are far enough away to not pose any issue.

And there's one last bison in the distance before reaching the 3 mile mark and the view down into White Rock meadow. (No bison down there this week.)

I head down to the ridge scanning ahead of me and below me. And holy cow! There's a coyote moving in south (like me) down the slope below me!!! (Coyote #4!) Awesome!

(This guy could be Coyote #3 because it's not far from where I saw him.)

Soon I'm heading back north along the interior trail. A lot more insect activity along this stretch of the trail. I'm seeing grasshoppers, beetles,

Tiger beetles

a couple of Sulphurs

and a couple of Common Checkered Skippers.

(Just no mammals but one small lizard)

I eventually reach my car and loop behind the Visitor's Center where I see a herd of Pronghorn on the south side.

I drive around to west side where I see a few more Pronghorn in the distance. But as I continue, there's one pretty near the road.

I slow because there are 2 people on bikes coming the opposite direction with big smiles on their faces and a few feet farther I see why. There are 3 Pronghorn on the edge of the road waiting to cross. I stop to give them that opportunity and they take it and I smile as they cross right in front of my car.

It never gets old!!!

I complete the loop and head out across the causeway completing a great day!!

Oct 27 - Twin Lake Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading up to Twin Lakes Pass today. Hoping that 12 inches + of snow the mountains got a couple of weeks back is for the most part gone. I image it will be as it hasn't really stayed cold. But I'm expecting snow (probably hard packed) in the shadier spots. Still I'm heading up with the YakTrak and prepared for almost anything.

I leave my house after 8:30. It's sunny and the temperatures are heading up near 70s in the valley.

The low part of Big Cottonwood is colorful - lots of yellow leaves and some orange. As I progress up the canyon, the color stops as the leaves have already fallen - just a lot of naked aspen trees!!

I'm expecting a full/near full parking lot when I arrive but am surprised when there are only a handful of cars - good for me! (Only the hearty folks are left out there!) It's 34 degree when I head off.

I start out around the boardwalk in a counter-clockwise direction towards the trail head. The boardwalk is just frost covered and there's very little snow on the ground but on the taller mountain peaks, there's snow!

I reach the bridge and the water is open with no ducks or fish sightings but some nice reflections.

I walk along the far side of the Silver Lake enjoying the water/mountain views.

When I reach the corner, I start along the trail thru those naked aspens.

I reach the split - to the left is the quick trail to Twins Lakes/Pass (2.2 mile - 1233 ft). I take the right trail which goes to Lake Solitude first (1.5 miles - 300ft (ele: 9040 ft)) and then up above Twin Lakes and then to the Pass. The distance to Twins Lakes will be just a bit longer.

The first part of the trail is free of snow but as I progress, there are patches of hard-packed/icy snow and dirt.

I scare a couple of squirrels along the way but otherwise a pretty quiet trip to Lake Solitude.

(She's not a pretty as after a snowfall.)

Time to head up hill now all the way up to a ridge above Twin Lakes. I see a couple chipmunks along the way. They are just not sitting still today!

The trail is just dirt until I reach the upper stretches. There I just follow vehicle tracks to the ridge. For the first time ever, I see coyote tracks in the snow!

After a brief stop looking at Twin Lakes, I continue up towards the Pass (and continue following vehicle tracks through the snow).

I reach the spot when I need to head off the road, up a hill and continue on the trail to the ridge.

I'm happy to see 3 trails (kinda) heading up the hill. I pick the far one. It's more a deer trail than a human one but it works and I soon reach a dry trail (for the most part) and a clear shot at the pass. Great views along the way!

I'm nearing the Pass when something flitting around catches my eye. Holy cow - it's a Milbert's Tortoiseshell enjoying the sunny weather!!

I run into snow on the last 100 ft or snow. I decide to stop here (9973 ft) instead of trekking the rest of the way through the snow. The view is actually better here as the power lines are part of the view from the Pass.

I find a rock and take a rest enjoying the views and only the sound of the wind blowing. And it's a great view as I can see the snowy peaks of the Uintas Mountains 30+ miles away! Awesome!

There are some funky clouds rolling by over the peaks!

Soon it's time to head down. So far I haven't seen a soul after I left Silver Lake below. But surprise, as I reach that snowy hill back down to the road, I meet 2 men heading up the hill.

I make my way down to Twin Lakes

and make a quick stop at the lakes.

(No one here - strange as it's got to be near noon by now.)

On the way down to the ridge over Silver Lake, I see 2 separate couples heading towards Twin Lakes. Where is everyone today?!

I reach the ridge and head pass Silver Lake below.

I'm looking for Pika and I manage to see 3 of them!

And back down by Silver Lake, I see one trout when I cross the bridge.

Awesome day!

Oct 19 - White Pine Lake (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading up towards White Pine Lake today. The trail is about 1/2 way up Little Cottonwood Canyon and is about 4.8 miles and ~2400 ft to White Pine Lake (a bit over 10,000 ft).

I've only been to the lake once back in Oct 2014 and the trail is beautiful and the glacier basin is spectacular! (And all without snow!) But I have been up the trail the last 2 winter stopping when the trail "ends" some where about the 2 mile mark.

Today, there will be snow. Mountains had around a foot a week or so ago. Heading up because I've always wanted to see the glacier basin when there's snow on the ground and today is the perfect day to do that. The forecast is sunny and temps in the low 60s in the Valley. (I'm also curious where the winter "trail" deviates from the actual trail.

Well, making to the basin is in jeopardy today as I got off to a late start - woke up with a sinus headache. Hopefully, the fresh air will help.

Heading up the canyon, most of the leaves (even at the lower elevations) have fallen. I'm sure that was accelerated by the snow and several days of frost.

I arrive at the trail somewhere between 10 - 10:30. The parking is still in the shade and the temps are near 40 degrees. I'm prepare with gloves, many layers and my YakTrak for any ice or slippery packed snow (especially on the way down). I only forget lunch - but I have at least one granola bar in my pack. :)

As I start up the trail, it's a mix of open ground and snow pack. The same can be said with the supporting aspen forest - snow in spots but other open. I'm sure it'll be snowier the farther I head up.

I quickly reach the footbridge crossing the creek. (Sure would look better in the sun. Maybe on the way back if the sun actually gets high enough this time of year.)

I continue up the trail. Lot's of frost on those fallen yellow aspen leaves that cover the trail.  At about the 0.8 mile mark, I reach the creek

and the split in the trail for Red Pine and White Pine.

After a quick stop at the creek, I head left up the 4 switchbacks before the trail levels off. At the end of the 1st switchback is a view point looking west down the valley. Unfortunately, there's too many branches in the way for a clear view.

Continuing up the 2nd switchback, I find 4 piles of moose scat. I don't see any moose tracks in the snow/ice but plenty of deer. But on the 2nd switchback, I hear and find a lone Pika.

At the end of the final switchback is a meadow and views of snowy mountains in the distance. That's my destination!!

The trail is now for the most part level through a pine forest. Very quiet - no birds or sounds of squirrels or chipmunks yet.

At about 2 miles, I arrive at a meadow.

The winter "trail" continues straight here up the meadow where it will eventually end where ever the snow gets to deep.

But the actual trail heads left and starts a series of switchbacks heading towards those mountains. I was actually going to only investigate the trail a bit farther but I found myself drawn in and rising ever higher on foot wide snow packed trail.

I keep thinking I'll arrive at end of the next hill or trek thru the woods but I keep going higher.

I'm getting pretty tanked as I haven't walked this far or gained this type of elevation since before my broken foot (actually probably, since last summer) but I keep pushing finally arriving at a large meadow (around 3.4 miles).

I'm so near but more up and hopefully at the end of this next forest I'll be there (fingers crossed).

And soon, I'm there - the entrance of the glacier basin!!!

(A shot from 2014 at basically the same spot is below.)

Another foot of snow and you'll never know it's a boulder filled field.

The trail continues up and around to the left and across the basin to the lake (another mile and 600+).

I head up just a bit but stop to rest and enjoy the views. (Just not enough in the tank to go farther. But I'm not disappointed I finally got to see the snowy basin - I'm so happy. Mission accomplished!!)

Hey, there is a group of people on the dam!

I find some open ground under a pine tree at the edge of the trail and take a break.

Soon, it's time to start my way down and I get to look at those mountains the whole day down!

Incredible day!

Oct 14 - Antelope Island

Cold night - even had a dusting of snow on my lawn this morning (the first of the season). A high of a "balmy" 42 degrees is predicted (we're supposed be around 68 degrees right now). But sunny!

Heading up to Antelope Island this morning for a hike up Sentry Peak. It'll be my first time up that trail in months.

I arrive at the gate and the wind is blowing a gale - American flag is out stretched to the south!! Hmmmm, 32 degrees with a strong north wind, I don't think I'm hiking today! But I can still check out the animals. We've been cooler than normal, had over 1.25 inches of rain this week (12+ inches of snow at the ski resorts), the animals have got to be on the move.

As I cross the causeway, there are only a few gulls hanging around still. I see no shorebirds. And when I near the island, tons of Shovelers!!

I turn south to head down to the Ranch when I reach the island.

Behind the Visitor's Center, I see 2 bison.

I see another 3 bison coming down the hill after the 1st viewpoint.

There are 7 more on the west side of the street.

The next sighting is 5 bison just after Frary Peak.

Then it's a long drive before I get a glimpse of a large herd just north of Ranch.

Even though I'm not hiking, I decide to drive down the dirt road past the Ranch to the Sentry Trail head. There's another large bison herd between the Ranch and the trail head. And even more bison around Mushroom Springs. (If it wasn't windy, I wouldn't be hiking to Sentry Peak today because of them.)

I continue down to the end of the road hoping to see Antelope/Coyote/Deer but nothing.

I return to the Ranch to check on the Owls - which I have not seen the last couple of times I've been here. And today is no different. I get some consolation by seeing a beautiful bird of prey relatively up close!

I drive back north and then over to the west side of the island. There I find a find a few bison around the White Rock Campground, bunch on the south side of Bison Point and just the couple on the north side of Bison Point.

Looks like a bison only day! But, surprise, as I near the Visitor's Center, I see Pronghorn!! I pull into the south end of parking lot and watch 13 Pronghorn. They are grazing east. Awesome end to my day!

But it's not over yet. I'm about 1/2 way (6 miles) across the causeway when I shocked to see a coyote moving south along the Salt Lake side (north) side of the island!! I've seen them off the causeway before but only in the winter. He stops at what looks like some old bones and has a snack - calcium, yum!

Then continues east.

Pretty cool! Is he an island coyote escaping or a mainland coyote returning? Hmmm.

Anyway, finished strong!