Nov 25 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day predicted with temperatures near 40 degrees. Heading up to Antelope Island to hopefully see the island with snow on it for the 1st time this winter. Yes, Utah had a 3 day storm dropping 21 inches in the mountains!! And thankfully, a little over a dusting on snow yesterday morning.

It's in the 30s when I take off with sunny skies.

As I cross the causeway, the snow is already gone but the mountains on the island still have some snow remaining. There's some sea gulls and plenty of Shovelers along the causeway - Shovelers nearer to the island where the water is not iced over.

I turn right to head towards the Ranch. Surprised that there are no token bison behind the Visitor's Center this morning. In fact, it isn't until just before the Frary Homestead before I see my first bison on the day - a whole herd of them near the still snowy mountains!

Besides those bison, the only animal I see prior to that herd is a coyote. He standing on top of a small hill. He starts moving and then hops into the air and pounces on the ground! Seems like he gets breakfast as he throws his head back and appears to be chewing. (cool) Then he disappears down towards the lake.

After the bison herd, I see 2 dark thin objects moving along the lake bed. They're Pronghorn!

Actually, there are 3 of them!

I continue to the Ranch finding a lone bison just before the parking lot. I can see the steam from his breathe this morning.

At the Ranch, I head out to check for the Great Horned Owls - no luck.

Since the dirt road down to the Sentry Trail parking is now closed. I gear up and start walking south down the road. I'm looking for deer; again no luck. But I do find a Pheasant!!

There's also a herd of bison west of the Pheasant.

I reach the trail and start west towards Mushroom Springs. When I reach the Springs, there's something dark on a tree in the distance. It's the tree the Bald Eagles hang out if the winter is hard enough. It's too early for the Eagles - they usually arrive end of Jan/first of Feb but I check it out. Nope, only a burnt section of tree. I continue on.

Not much happening on the way up. The trail is got dry, icy and snow sections. The views below are nice.

I cross the flat switchback and continue up towards Sentry Peak.

On the last uphill section, I find coyote and Pronghorn tracks in the fresh snow.

I reach the ridge line -- pretty awesome this morning! Love those clear skies!

I start south along the ridge following coyote tracks all the way past Sentry Peak.

Time to head down hill.

I find another decent sized herd of bison near the end of the gravel road far in the distance.

On the last down hill section, I meet a guy who seems to be taking a break. He tells me there is a Bald Eagle in a tree near Mushroom Springs. Wow! (He also saw one along the causeway.)

I speed down the hill and over to the Springs. Sure enough, there he is!!

In the same tree I looked at earlier this morning - guess I didn't look high enough. :(

I work my way up towards the tree not wanting to get too near it so it won't fly away. I succeed!

(So surprised that they are here already. The last 2 months have been colder than normal but lacking snow. I'm not sure what's happening north in Idaho but a couple have pushed south.)

Those bison (behind the Pheasant) have moved closer to the trail but still have a ways to go before they can be troublesome.

I continue back to my car and call it a day. A very successful day!

Nov 18 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day with highs in the low 40s predicted. But as I leave my house, it's a crisp 28 degrees.

Heading to Antelope Island today to hike the White Rock Trail. Curious to see if the bison that had their physicals 2 weeks ago may be still hanging around the area.

Still in the 20s when I start crossing the causeway. Whatever water that I pass is ice - lots of ice even for a mile or so on the Salt Lake side. Looks like winter; minus the snow.

I'm looking for the causeway coyotes but I don't see them this morning.

As I approach the bridge just before the island, I reach open water on Farmington. And enjoying that water are tons of Shovelers (both males and females) having a feeding frenzy. They are tightly bunched in small groups on both Farmington Bay and the Salt Lake.

I reach the island and head towards the Ranch quickly passing 2 bison behind the Visitor's Center.

But it's a very quiet day on the island today passing a group of 3 bison just past Frary Peak, a little larger herd a mile of so farther and an even larger herd near Mushroom Springs (Sentry Trail).

The highlight is seeing a lone coyote moving north along the shoreline also just past Frary Peak.

Oh, I can't forget the lone bison next to the road scratching on a large boulder.

I head back north and over to the White Rock parking area. No bison here either. Seems after their physicals, the bison said "We're out!" and went sent south. Perhaps there's some in the White Rock meadow - a large herd was there the week before the round-up. Time to walk the 3 miles to find out.

As I start my walk (in the clockwise direction), I see something small moving east in the distance. Too small to be Pronghorn or bison - it's a lone coyote!!

And he's on the move. I continue to watch him as I move up the trail until I lose him.

I move up the switchbacks and start tracking back towards the corrals. There are 3 bison still hanging out to the south of the corrals. But there are also still some bison in the corrals. They are Moms and Fall calves.

The last time I went to the physicals, they said they were keeping Moms with Fall calves in the corrals that year to make sure they are given the best chance to survive the winter and try to get a birth cycle of all calves in Spring. I don't think they did this last year but they seem to be doing it this year. (yea!)

I'm not much after the corrals when I run into a lone male laying not far from the trail. As I near, he stands and watches me pass.

Pretty quiet after that except for the Horned Lark as I near the view of the White Rock meadow.

In the meadow, no large herds of bison. But there is one!

I move down the ridge line -- nice inversion this morning!

And down to the inner trail. In the meadow, I see two dark objects -- they're Pronghorn!!

I continue around the inner trail. All the flowers are now gone. I do see a grasshopper and a couple of Tiger Beetles along the way.

When I get to the other side, I look back to find that lone bison on the move north. He's almost to the inner trail and he's not stopping.

On the way back north to my car, I'm surprised to see 2 dragonflies still out.

Quiet by nice day (as always) on the island.

Nov 16 - Mill D South and Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with temps finally exiting the 40s and heading for a high around 50 degrees. (Finally some November temperatures!) Heading up to the Cardiff Mine (Mill D South Trail). It's a mid-elevation trail starting at ~7500ft so I'm not anticipating much snow - well, there may be some near the mine. But I'm going there to see the snowy mountains anyway.

Not much snow heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon, simply because we haven't much. Just lots of brown and some dusting of snow the higher I go.

I arrive at the trail head around 10 am. The road to the trail is closed, so I start the about 1/4 mile walk up the paved road to the trail. The creek at the start of the trail is still ice free.

The road is mostly clear but in the shadier sections, it's packed snow. The mountains in my view are snow-free other than the one in the distance to the east towards the Brighton Ski Resort.

It's very quiet out; I only see one Chickadee hopping thru a pine trees. I'm looking for deer and moose. I find what looks like a moose (maybe elk) track in the snow.

As I pass the closed campground, I see a lone doe. I lose her in the trees but she pops back out briefly

before disappearing again.

I reach the final stretch along a dirt road and I finally see a snowy Mt Reynolds. I'll be walking far beneath her peak.

At the trail head, I turn right to cross the stream. There's a lone squirrel in the middle of the snow-packed road. He disappears into the woods as I approach.

The stream is flowing as the sun finally makes it over the mountains.

Time to start heading up hill thru the pine trees.

The trail is dusted with snow in spots and packed snow in others - easy going.

I reach the point in the trail where a small stream flows downhill along the east side of the trail. The stream is icy and snow covered but I can still hear the water flowing below.

I continue up higher until Ugh! The trail is covered in ice!

This portion of trail, even in the summer, is wet so I could see a bit of ice but this is thick! (I was thinking about taking YakTrax this morning but unfortunately, only thinking, not taking action.)

I look for a way thru - the left side is the creek and right side is uphill. I find some luck on the far right but then I reach the spot that looks shiny and slick. I take one step, slip and land on my butt. Oops!

I make a half attempt at getting up but decide since my day is done here, I might as well, slide down on the ice on my backside - it's so much easier.

Then I take my cold, somewhat wet backside and head back downhill. If only I had the YakTrak (spikes would have been even better), I could have made it past that one section and continue. :(
I will remember them next time I'm here.

On the way back to my car, I see another deer (a buck) moving along the power lines.

I didn't make it to the mine, but I'm still happy to be in the cold fresh air, see two deer and a squirrel!

Instead of heading home, I decide to continue up the canyon to Silver Lake - I'm half way there anyway. I know I'll need the YakTrak to make it up to (more so down from) Twin Lakes so my plan is just to walk around Silver Lake. I'm also going to check if the trail is still open to Twin Lakes - Brighton just opened for skiing yesterday so I'm sure the trail will be closing soon.

I reach Silver Lake - lots of cars in the parking lot but they are mostly construction folks still building the Silver Lake bathroom.

I head out past the Visitor's Center. I only see one group of people at the lake. It's quiet, sunny and in the mid-20s. Actually there is a noise, it's the snow making machines at Brighton. I can see the snow being made.

I head counter-clockwise around the trail.

At the foot bridge, I look for trout in the open water but see none.

I do see bubbles being made by the flowing water - pretty cool.

Farther along the shore, I do see one trout enjoying the warm sun in the shallow water.

I reach the side trail for Twin Lakes and its open. I decide to head up to the switchback to check for Pika. The trail is snow packed. Hopefully I won't regret not having Yak Trax on the way down. :)

As I near the switchback, I'm listening and looking for Pika. And I see one basking on a large rock!!

I start along the switchback and I see another on the downhill side.

I get about 1/2 way across the switchback just to have a good look at the lake below.

And it's time to turn around and head back.

I see another Pika in the rocks just off the trail. This guy is fun to watch. He goes from basking in the sun, hiding in the rocks and then popping back out in the snow just off the trail

and diving into the snow (snow flying up in the air sometimes),

circling in the snow

then back in the rocks and to his perch. I just watch as he does this several times. I'm not sure what he's digging for - perhaps stored leaves. And then he disappears.

As I walk past his rock, this is what I see where he was digging. I'm still not sure what he was doing!

A bit farther, I see another Pika on the upside of the trail (probably the same guy I spotted when I first reached the switchback).

I'm watching him when I hear another Pika chirp. He's off to the right just inside the trees. After he chirps, the  guy on the rock goes off calling continuously for about 20 seconds - eh eh eh eh eh......

Not a clue why but it was a pretty cool experience (and funny too)!

I head back down hill (not much slipping) and reach Silver Lake again. I continue around the lake to finish my day.

Definitely, not the day I was originally planned but still a pretty incredible day!

Nov 10 - Mirror Lake and Ruth Lake (Uintas Mountains)

Heading into the Uintas today for one last time this year. Need to take advantage of the opportunity since the road still being open due to the lack of snowfall this year. My plan is to hike to Ruth Lake. I usually go there in the Fall when the lake is frozen. This time, I expect a little bit of snow as well. I'm also hoping to get to Mirror Lake but that depends if the road heading down to the lake is open.

I head off just after 8am. It's supposed to be sunny today but it's pretty cloudy as I head up Parley's Canyon towards Park City. Sure hope it clears out.

Travel up the Mirror Lake highway is just brown with lots of naked aspen (and other) trees. No cows or deer along the road this morning.

When I arrive at my first stop, the Provo River Falls, it's still cloudy (bits of sun peaking thru) and in the upper 20s - brrr!

There's just a bit of snow on the ground at this elevation. The trail is snow packed and icy in spots as I head down to the viewpoint near the Falls.

When I was here a month or so ago, there was very little water coming over the Falls. I'm not expecting much for an icy falls so I am surprised what I see.

(Definitely, looked better in past years but I'll take it.)

Onward and upward towards Bald Mt Pass (10,759ft). The snow coverage widens as I near the pass but its still probably 6 inches or less. I have hope for a Mirror Lake visit!

I reach the pass and start down hill until I reach the Mirror Lake turn. I'm a bit surprised that the road is clear at the top. I'm heading down!! Just the top of the road is clear of snow. The rest is snow packed and slick but I safely reach the parking lot below. It's just after 9am (a crisp 21 degrees and mostly sunny) and I have this snow covered wonderland to myself! How great it is!

The lake is frozen (of course) and snow covered in spots.

I start clockwise around the lake. It's so quiet all I hear are my shoes crunching in the snow covered trail. I just soak in the moment (and the sun) as I make my way around the lake.

Tons of tiny animals tracks in the snow all around the lake. Some are fresher than others.

I'm surprised that there are some tiny streams still flowing into the lake but some are flowing under ice.

Finally on the other side, I get views of Bald Mt and Reids Peak.

And I finally hear a squirrel - never find him though.

When I reach my car, there is another group at the lake sledding down one of the inclines and one car coming down the hill. Time to continue down the road to the Ruth Lake parking.

I arrive to an empty parking lot, gear up and start up the snowy trail thru the forest.

Just a couple of inches of snow on the ground. Travel is easy as many people have already packed down the trail.

Again it is very quiet - but in addition to my crunching footsteps, there's a wind blowing.

A great trip looking back at wonderful views of Hayden Peak

passing snowy meadows

the 1st snow covered lake with more tracks

all before reaching Ruth Lake. She too is frozen and snow covered except the one corner.

I work my way around the lake until Hayden Peak comes into view. There I find a rock and take a break in the warmth of the sun.

At one point, I here a noise and turn to find a Clark's Nutcracker. He's moving through several of the pine trees looking for seeds this morning.

After a bit, it's time to start heading back.

Awesome day!