March 16 - Antelope Island

Heading up to Antelope Island today after getting in my 40hrs for the week; need to get a hike in today because there's an all day Saturday rain/snow predicted and Sunday is unsure.  But today, after 2 days of rain, is sunny and temps are supposed to be in low 50s.

What I didn't realized as I drove across the causeway is how windy it is. Not expecting that but I'll see how things go.

So cool to watch the Ravens playfully soaring in the strong breezes as I cross the causeway.

I also see a hawk basically hovering in one spot over the causeway probably searching for a mid-morning snack. As I roll up, of course he flies!

The causeway views look different this morning basically because there are puddles and water where there is normally dry lake bed. Guess that's what happens when over an inch of rain falls -- look awesome!

I find a few Canadian Geese along the causeway. The gull numbers are slowly increasing. And I see a bunch of ducks. Can't tell what species but they look like both males and females.

I arrive on the island and head south to the Ranch. (The plan is to hike the Sentry Trail.)

It's a long lonely drive seeing only 1 lone bison along the way; he was before Frary Peak on the slope below the White Rock ridge. Lowest number of critters I think I've ever seen.

I park at the Ranch, throw a jacket on as it's only 42 degrees out and head up the dirt road towards the Sentry Trail head. Amazingly windy out, I can barely keep my hat on. The only sounds I hear  are the wind and surprisingly the calls of the Larks announcing Spring is here!

By the time I get to the actual start of the trail, my ears, nose, face are a bit chilly. At that point, I decide 5.5 miles in this wind is too much; this will be just a safari day.

I head back to my car and then over to the bird area behind the Ranch. I know the Great Horned Owls should be nesting so I'm looking at every tree. As I walk, the DNR guy popped out asking if I see the owl -- my answer is no. So he came over and showed me the male. (Even his tufts are blowing in the wind.)

The female is on the nest. I ask if they know where the nest is; the answer is no but it's within the eye sight of the male owl. (Well, that really narrows it down considering their great eye sight.) Couple more months before there will be fledglings somewhere -- I'll be looking.

As I get to my car, I hear/see a Kildeer flying above and watch where he lands. I start to head closer but then he's gone.

I load back into my car and head north. Hey, there's 2 more bison for the day; they are laying down in the distance -- that's 3!!

And I see a coyote trotting south along the muddy shoreline.

I stop at the Frary Peak parking - actually thinking of heading up to Knooly Knob (short hike). Hoping it might be less windy nearer the mountains but absolutely not! It's even more windy. So I just head over to a rocky outcropping to look out over Farmington Bay.

Then I continue up the island. That lone bison, he moved up the slope a bit and is now laying down.

I pass the viewpoint and am heading around the curve scanning between the slopes to my left and downhill to the bay/causeway to my right. Not sure why I'm looking for animals here, I've only seen one once - it was a lone pronghorn - but I'm looking.

As I'm starting to scan back to the right, I see a coyote pop out right in front of the right bumper! Holy crap! I almost hit him - ugh! Never saw him on the right side. But he's unfazed and starts heading up the rocky slopes. Whew!

I head over towards Bison Point seeing a group of at least 8 pronghorn at the same spot I saw the lone male on Sunday.

I continue on to see several bison near the White Rock parking.

Definitely not the hike I was looking for but still an awesome day!

March 11 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island to hike the White Rock Trail today. Figuring it'll be less crowded because a) it's Sunday and b) it's the Spring Forward day and people will still be sleeping.

Beautiful morning. Temperatures are already near the mid-40s with mostly sunny skies when I reach the causeway at around 9am.

The calm waters on both sides of the causeway yield wonderful reflections of mountains this morning.

The number of birds along the causeway are increasing; mostly gulls at this point but the others should be arriving soon.

Majority of the snow (around 8 inches) that fell last Sunday is gone except in the higher elevations and the more northerly facing slopes; looks awesome!

I head down towards the Ranch. Looks like some of the bison have moved to the north side of the island - there are two near the shoreline behind the Visitor's Center; a little further down the road, there are several bison with a few very near the road. I stop for these; I can hear the one pulling the grass from the ground and chewing. :)

Past Frary Peak, I see a bigger herd on a plateau in front of the mountains.

Arriving at the Ranch, I see no bison near Mushroom Springs so I turn around to head back north. On the return trip, I see another herd a little north of the herd on the plateau.

I reach the Visitor's Center again and take a left around the south end of the Center. Not far from the intersection, I spot a small herd of Pronghorn still bedded down in the grasses!

(Small group of females and one male nearby.)

Around the next turn, I see a lone Pronghorn laying in the grasses.

There are also several bison around Bison Point this morning.

I arrive at the White Rock parking. There are a few bison not far from the parking area and a bigger group in the distance somewhere near the corrals.

I start along the trail. I hear some of the larks calling (but not as many where calling on the east side). But I do find some of the larks -- all Horned Larks today.

Soon I passes those bison near the corrals - they are far off the trail.

I look left and surprise! There's a small herd of bison on the right side! These are not all that far from the trail but they do not seem bothered by me.

Further along the trail, I run into 2 other bison on the left. The birds sure like them.These are not they far away either but thankfully just keep eating.

I finally complete the uphill section and just walking around to the White Rock meadow, when I see another lone bison in the distance. Looks like the bison are starting to scatter for the Spring/Summer! As I start to pass, I notice a buddy too! He's looking out over Bison Point.

I reach the White Rock viewpoint (no animals in the meadow today)

I start my way down to the ridge. There's a few more of the pink Redstem Stork's bill flowers in bloom than last time.

At this point, I've only seen a single biker. Crossing the ridge, I have another biker pass and 5 runners. Still pretty empty -- love it, just like it was a couple of years ago.

Along the inner trail, I see more of those pink flowers and more signs of Spring

Black Beetles

one lizard (1st one of 2018)

and one Tiger Beetle (1st one of 2018)

I'm about to the west side of the trail when I see a Kestrel hovering above searching for some prey.

I take one last look of White Rock Bay before heading north.

There's some large blooming Spring Parsley over here!

These plants have me thinking about Swallowtails as parsley is host plant for Black Swallowtail / butterflies in general and surprise, I scare up a Milbert's Tortoiseshell!! First butterfly of 2018!!

Awesome day!!

March 9 - Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

The forecast is for a partly cloudy day with highs in the upper 50s. Heading into the mountains to hike up to Dog Lake (from the Spruces campground parking).

Beautiful morning when I set off around 9am. Still mostly cloudy but there are some openings showing blue skies. It's already in the mid-40s.

As I head up Big Cottonwood Canyon, it looks a lot different than it did a couple of days ago as most of the snow on the south facing slopes is gone at the lower elevations. But as I get higher, there's still  a lot of snow around on both sides.

Heading to Dog Lake today. There are 2 parking locations for the trail: Mill D North trail which is the normal non-winter season trail head and about a mile further up the road, the Spruces campground parking lot. I'm heading to the Spruces lot. Many cars already there when I arrive around 9:30 but I find a spot to park, gear up and set off.

The trail to the lake is around 2.7 miles and a 1200 ft gain (7700 - 8715ft).

After crossing the road and up a little slope I reach a snow pack road (which is gated) that winds through some summer cottages. The walking is slow as there's only a thin snow crust which easily breaks. I'm only sinking an inch or 3 on most steps but it's slow.

Once through the cottages, the trail heads off towards the lake through a valley. Lovely views ahead.

Soon I can see the other trail and meet up with it at a creek crossing (the creek is snow covered at this point).

Once the 2 trails meet, the trail is much firmer due its exposure to more sun and the thaw/freeze cycles. Yea, the walking is much easier now!

At this point, the trail has been very quiet and I've only seen 2 skiers on their way down. And a set of tracks -- something small and with a tail - maybe squirrel.

In one section of the trail, I hear and see the only animal of the day - a squirrel.

I also hear a few birds here; I can only ID the call of a Chickadee.

At the 2 mile mark, I reach the intersection of the Dog Lake and Desolation Lake trails. I head left to face the short but steep hill leading to the lake. Back to slow going because of the hill and the soft snow.

I make it up the hill and over to Dog Lake

It's still untouched snow which is awesome!!

I try to make it above the lake to see the mountains along a ski trail but the snow is really soft and I'm sinking about to my knees with every step. With about 100 feet of little hill in front of me, it just wasn't worth it for me today -- for another time.

Heading back to the lake and try to head around it along a hiker made short trail in hopes of seeing the mountains peaks but the trail did not go far enough around the lake to see the peaks. (After this coming week-end, I'm sure there will be trail everywhere.)

Time to head home with the mountains ahead of me.

Awesome day!

March 6 - Mill D South (to meadow)

Yea, that storm actually finally rolled through and dumped near 3 feet of snow at the resorts Sat night/Sun!!! In the valley, it was really hit or miss; I got 12 inches - other people from work got just a dusting.

Heading out after work to enjoy some of that snow on a sunny, perfectly blue sky day with temperatures in the mid-30s.

Going up Big Cottonwood canyon to hike to the meadow on the Mill D South/Cardiff Mine trail. It's one of my favorite spots in the winter - very pretty and low avalanche risk.

The drive up the canyon is wonderful; lots of snow everywhere!

The trail starts at around 7500 ft. I'm only going up about a mile to the big meadow (plus the 1/2 mile walk to get to the trail since the road is closed in the winter). Got the snowshoes ready - though I don't think I'll need them as the back country/x-country skiers have probably worn a pretty good path by now.

I set off up the plowed road to the best views of the year! (Carrying my snow shoes at this point; it's a plowed road. Happy to see other folks returning with snow shoes in hand too.)

Soon a very snowy Mt Reynolds in coming into view - I can see ski tracks near the top.

The snow is still fresh looking.

I make it to bridge crossing

and then the actual trail. The skiers have definitely made a path but since I have them, I might as well put the snow shoes on.

And up I go through the still snowy conifers. I'm surprised to still see snow in the trees but I guess it still was pretty cloudy most of the day yesterday. I hear thumps as snow falls from the trees. And occasionally, it's a mini-snow storm as the flakes flutter down to the ground. Very pretty walk.

The stream alongside a portion of the trail is covered in snow; I can't even hear it flowing.

I can tell I'm closing in on the meadow when I see some peaks ahead of me.

And then I arrive (my favorite part of the hike, entering the meadow). Awesome!!

I make my way up about 1/2 way through the meadow before stopping to look around and up at Mt Reynolds.

So quiet - no breeze, no birds (or other little critters) .... except an occasional skier coming down the trail. Perfect!

Time to head back.

Awesome hike!

March 3 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading out to Antelope Island to sneak a hike in before this winter storm they've been predicting all week finally rolls in. I'm skeptical that the storm won't amount to much as it was supposed to arrive Thursday, then Friday evening, and then Saturday 2pm. This morning, the prediction is now Saturday evening. Hope it doesn't skirt north of here.

Anyway, it's cloudy and in the low 30s when I arrive around 8:30. There is some blue sky to the northwest and some peeks of sun but at least there is no wind this morning.

There's a large hawk perched along the causeway but as I roll up, he flies.

On the island, I see no animals behind the Visitor's Center as I head south towards the Ranch.

I stop at the first viewpoint for a nice view of the rising sun.

Continuing on, I see three bison up on a hill.

As I continue, I'm wondering if that large herd of bison and pronghorn that were on the east side last week will still be around.

The answer is no --- they've all moved on except the 3 different lone pronghorn I see along the way.

I figure the animals might have moved near Sentry Peak but as I roll up at the Ranch, there are no bison visible. Well, I'm hiking Sentry Peak today; it's been awhile.

As I enter the parking lot, there is a Kestrel perched in the trees.

A bit cool without the sun as I start off on the hike but I quickly warm up. I pass Mushroom Springs and as I near the long flat switchback I see 2 blue birds (Western Scrub Jays - I think) -- so cool!!

Pretty quiet hike up

until the final climb to the ridge when I spot 3 bison laying down to my right.

They are far enough off the trail that I'm not concerned about them. And since they are on a hill, I'd bet there are a few more bison on the downside which I can't see. However, as I start to pass by, they get concerned about me -- popping up and staring at me.

No worries, I keep moving upwards, they'll just stay where they are.

Nope, one of them gets nervous and starts trotting west -- I lose sight as he dips behind the hill. And of course, the others follow -- there are more than 3. Shoot! They are moving in the stay direction as me and I can't see them. Not very comforting.

Trying to let them know where I am (I don't want to run into them), I start talking.

When I'm almost to the ridge, there they are -- still a safe distance away - but looking at me.

I continue along still hoping they'll stop but they keep moving parallel to metoward the ridge arriving before I do.

Well, the trail curves right before taking a sharp left south. If I stay on it, I'll be heading right towards the bison; definitely, not a good idea. So I cut the trail short and head directly down to the trail along the ridge. When I get there, I turn and find the bison still looking at me.

OK guys, I'm leaving you alone and I move south along the ridge.

I find one small Spring Parsley plant along the way.

I turn around several times and those bison have not moved. And the view's not too bad either.

I reach Sentry Peak and pass behind listening to many Chukkars - never see one though.

Time to head down.

It's getting windy now -- from the north and chilly. But it's a quit trip back to the Ranch.

I have time so I decide to check if the owls are visible. They should be nesting so I'm surprised the birding area is still open - perhaps their nest is in a different location this year. As I walk around, I find one of the owls in the same tree I've found him before. He's very active looking around, watching me.

Fun!

Time to drive north and then loop around towards the Visitor's Center. The only new animals I see are 3 bison behind the Visitor's Center.

And a Chukkar.

Good day!