Feb 8 - Pipeline Trail (Millcreek Canyon)

Another day with highs near 60. It was sunny this morning but the high clouds are rolling in this afternoon. The sun is still out; it just has to burn thru the clouds.

I want to take a walk to see if there are any flowers popping up yet -- never know with this consistent 20 degree above normal temp the last month plus. And with the warm weather, I want to see if I can spot any of the overwintering butterflies that might be out flying (Mourning Cloaks, Commas, ...)

Thought about heading over to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon to hike the Little Cottonwood Creek Trail -- but time is limited so I'm heading into Millcreek Canyon to hike the Pipeline Trail.

Never hiked this trail but it is what I'm looking for today -- flat. The trail is 7.4 miles (one way) with a gain of 1300ft. But I'm only planning on walking around 4 miles (round trip)

It's just after 3pm when I enter the canyon. Clear and brown on the north side, snowy on the south side. The Pipeline starts near the start of the canyon. There's plenty of parking when I arrive. I look around for the start of the trail but only see a sign for Rattlesnake Gulch. I guess at some point the Pipeline must branch off so I start up the trail - which is uphill.

After about 200 yards and no side trail, I decide to head back down to my car -- I wasn't looking for an uphill trail today and I have no idea how long Rattlesnake Gulch is (and I have no cell reception in the canyon to find out).

Back at my car, I know I can get to the Pipeline trail again about 3 miles up the canyon so I continue along. There's definitely more snow on the ground as I gain around 1000 ft to the next trail head. And there I dfind the trail!

Its snow packed as I head by west towards Grandeur Peak (and the start of the canyon). It's 1.6 miles to the intersection with the Grandeur Peak trail so off I go.

The trail follows the curves of the canyon thru the trees and open areas. It's snow packed, muddy and dry depending on the location on the trail. And there are many good views of the canyon itself and down the canyon/across the valley

and of course, Grandeur Peak.

Seeing no butterflies and no birds. But I do see some plant life including either Biscuitroot or Parsley peaking up from the ground

out very pretty but horribly invasive Spurge (yet another wonderful landscape plant turned unstoppable).

and surprise, surprise Phlox!!!

There's about 6 plants in small 10 foot rocky area. Fun!

I also see the remnants of the trail's namesake (pipeline).

Soon I hear the creek that should mean the Grandeur Peak trail is very close

and then I'm there!

Time to head back.

Lovely day!

Feb 3 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading out to Antelope Island this morning. It's already 47 degrees and cloudy when I leave around 8:30. But as has been the case most of the week, there is clearing to the north (yea!).

I arrive on the island and it's already a busy day on the island; I can tell because I had to wait behind 4 cars at the pay station. Guess everyone is out enjoying this wonderful Saturday morning.

I decide to bypass the trip down to the Ranch today and head directly to the trail.

As I near Bison Point, I see a few bison on the north side of Bison Point. I'll see them on my drive out after my hike.

Approaching the White Rock Trail, I see many, many cars already in the parking lots (both horse parking and the normal parking). Most cars I've ever seen! I'll soon be a part of the pack of humans on the trail.

I gear up and start my hike. I'm in blue sky but there is dappled sunlight because clouds are moving through.

There are a few bison far off to the east as I work my way through the lower parts. Lots of runners and bikers this morning on the trail.

I work my way around in my normal clockwise direction - no coyote, deer or pronghorn in view.

I do find another group of bison in the distance even further out then the others.

Before long, I arrive over White Rock meadow. I see a group of bison near the inner loop trail (can't tell if they will be a problem for me) but there is one bison moving towards the ridge which will be an issue. And his buddy which is a bit behind him but moving.

I make my way down to the ridge. Mr. Bison is now on the trail ahead of me. 

I can't see his buddy (or the other bison). Just hoping a group of bikers don't scare them up towards the ridge and me!

I stay on the ridge slowly approaching the bison. I'm hoping for some bikers to fly by and encourage him to move but none are coming (and Buddy bison has also arrived on the ridge). There's no way around them so I turn right short-cutting down to the inner loop trail below me. The other bison in the group are farther south and pose no danger.

Even though two of them show-off for me but wallowing on the ground.

Free from the bison, I continue around the inner loop but now I'm finally in full sun!!! (But a partially cloudy meadow.)

Along the way, I notice lone bison in the middle of the meadow - probably part of the herd I just went around -- who are now standing on the ridge!

I'm almost to the west side of the island when I notice some animals up on a hill. Not bison, not pronghorn and for some reason I get excited thinking they are bighorn sheep. I guess it's just wishful thinking as it's the wrong habitat but they are deer. I count 7 and it looks like a bachelor herd. There may be a couple of doe or they are just button bucks. Pretty exciting!

Also, I see my first sign of Spring -- a beetle!!

I continue back to my car. On the way out, I pass those bison under Bison Point and also see a lone bison drawing lots of attention behind the Visitor's Center.

On the drive out along the causeway, I get a short escort by a hawk; he has a white bar at the base of his tail so I think he's a Northern Harrier.

Nice ending to a wonderful hike.

(Oh yea, definitely busy day at the park, there's at least 20 cars waiting to get through the pay station and more coming!!)

Feb 1 - Lake Blanche Meadow (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Had my work week completed just after noon today so I decided to take the extra time to head up into the mountains for a short hike, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the 50 degree temperatures (wish that would change - need cold and snow, lots of snow).

Unfortunately, the mostly cloudy days streak continues in Salt Lake.

Heading up the canyon it's nothing but brown rock and brown naked trees on the south facing side (sunny side) of the canyon; it's a better (snowier) on the north facing side. But with only about 160 inches of snow this season, it's still pretty bare and pitiful looking.

I only going about 1/2 way up the canyon to the S-turn as I'm going to hike a portion of the Lake Blanche trail. Too late in the day for me to head all the way to the lake as I don't want to come down after sunset. So my goal is just to make it to the meadow (around the 2 mile mar) - I want to see Sundial Peak. Should take me a little over an hour to get there.

The entire trail is 3.2 miles with an elevation gain of 2600 ft (8920ft).

It's lightly cloudy (since a little blue sky bleeds through the clouds) as I start the trail around 2pm. The trail is snow packed as I follow Big Cottonwood creek east to the actual trail head.

The small waterfall is a bit icy today.

When I reach the trail, I turn south heading thru the trees towards Sundial Peak. (The creek splits here as well and the one branch heads all the way up to Lake Blanche (and the other 2 lakes nearby).

I'm sure in a "normal" winter, this low brush alongside the trail would not be visible but that's definitely not true this year but still lots of white.

It's not too far before I cross to the east side of the creek where I'll stay the rest of my hike.
And I get my first glimpse of my destination in the distance.

Beautiful and quiet the entire hike. Seeing deer tracks and eventually moose tracks as I get higher.

Constantly scanning for moose but not seeing any today.

I do find what looks like moose hair on the trail.

I stop several times to look around check to the view back towards Big Cottonwood Canyon.

But I continue on through the trees

along side the river gaining elevation with every step.

Soon I get my first glimpse of Sundial Peak and then I'm in the meadow with Sundial Peak in view!!

(Sundial Peak towers over Lake Blanche.)

Well my has been reached so this is my turnaround point (7700 ft) - only 1200ft left to go. (If we continue to the "no snow" weather pattern, I just might be back soon rather than later.)

Time to head back. Lots of clouds now down near the canyon road.

But they clear as I near the trail head.

Great day!

Jan 28 - Sentry Peak (Antelope Island)

Heading to Antelope Island today to hike the Sentry Trail this morning.

Supposed to be partly sunny with temperatures in the 50s. As I leave my home, it's still cloudy but as I head north, there's sun and blue skies ahead.

When I reach the island, the sun is out over the western and northern sides; hoping the Sentry Trail is in the sun.

Most of the snow from last week is long gone but some does remain on the higher peaks or the shadier areas.

As I head to the Ranch, I see several horses (and their riders) actually trotting down the east side of the island. I've seen riders all the time but never with trotting horses.

I also spot several bison on some of the peaks, a porcupine and the bigger bison herds in their "normal" places this winter.

Other than that, the only other wildlife are a couple of trees filled with blackbirds.

I park at the Ranch and start up the trail with sunny skies - although Salt Lake is still in the clouds.

As I walk towards Mushroom Springs, I'm scanning for animals and actually see a lone pronghorn running west across the meadow.

And he keeps running, eventually crossing the trail

and continuing south west towards the mountains.

There are also 4 bison to the southwest near a peak.

I reach the Springs and turn south and soon start the uphill climb. In the distance ahead of me, I see a small herd of bison.

Soon I reach the long flat switchback, cross it and continue up the rest of the trail to the ridge. Beautiful views to the west from the ridge.

To the east, well it's cloudy.

I head south down the ridge and behind Sentry Peak; no animals to be seen anywhere.

Time to head down. As I'm heading down, I do see a herd of bison to the south. Perhaps, the same herd I saw on the way up.

As I cross that long flat switchback, I hear a coyote howl to the north. It's followed by some yips from the north and below. A couple more repeat howls and yips. There's a break and then one more howl. This time the return howl is far to the north. So fun!

I reach my car and drive back up the island stopping only for the views of the totally flat water along the causeway.

Good day!

Jan 21 - A snowy White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Finally some snow!!! Winter storm dropped 9inches at my house Fri night/Sat morning!! That would typically mean 20+ in the mountains but unfortunately, this was strange storm with the mountains getting only 11 inches. But everything looks so pretty!!!!

Heading out to Antelope Island this morning to enjoy the snow!! Cloudy morning with temps in the mid 20s. It is supposed to get sunny and as I drive north, there's plenty of blue sky to the north.

Unfortunately, when I reach the island, the blue hasn't arrived yet.

I head south towards the Ranch looking for critters and good snowy views. I quickly see a lone bison near the fence line. And another on a ridge. Frary Peak is looking wintery.

Then it's 2 porcupine and then another before I reach the two bison herds in their "normal" spots this winter. The herds look a bit smaller but still big.

Oops, I can't forget the one coyote I see pouncing through the grasses. When I lose him, I turn to find the mate trotting a little behind.

I lose him too but when I move forward I find the first one I saw.

Love seeing coyotes.

I reach the Ranch, turn around and head back north. On the return, I see yet another coyote trotting up a hill.

Good coyote day today!!

As I head over to the west side of the island, I see two mule deer (male/female) in the distance behind the Visitor's Center.

Arriving in the White Rock parking lot, it's still cloudy and in the 20s. I start and it's simply wonderful out!

There is a herd of bison in the distance to the east. And a single bison straight ahead on the hill. He could be a problem for me if he's near the trail but I have to climb to hill to find out.

I'm up the main part of the hill looking back north at Buffalo Point. (The blue sky is still coming but very slowly.)

I don't see that lone bison anymore so he's obviously above the trail; I'm hoping I can sneak by.

I watch above me the whole way up the switchback and I see nothing. As I'm about to turn north and shoot! There's the bison just above me and walking parallel to me. If I hadn't seen him, we'd collide up ahead. But I stop hoping the bison continues by. Unfortunately, he stops too. And we stare at each other from about 20 ft away. He showing no signs of being upset. I wait and when he doesn't move, I continue walking past the bison and then around him on the trail (whew!)

I continue along passing his buddy who is off near the fence line and no bother to me.

Now I should be good unless there are more ahead.

I see what appears to be a hawk fly by.

I continue a bit before I see a couple more bison ahead. These guys are in the rocks and away from the trail so I should be good. I round the corner and I've got problems! There's more bison ahead with them along side the trail on both sides. I stop. They are watching me.

As it stands, I can't get past them safely on the trail or off at this point. What to do, what to do? I don't want to turn around so I hold my ground hoping they will move off to the right. After a few steps ahead and some slapping of my hands, they do start moving right very slowing.

Several tails go up and they stay up so I think they are a bit upset but I wait.

Finally, all but one is on the right side of the trail so I go wide left off trail through the snow around the last bison. Seeing lots of coyote and birds tracks on my trek but I'm finally around and on the trail again (yea!).

Moving along, I soon reach the White Rock meadow -Wonderful!

The sun is peaking out now and will be full sun as the blue skies are just reaching the island!! I head south down the ridge

and start down the inner loop. I look up in time to see 4 bison running down the hill in the distance and there are hikers over there. What a scary experience as the bison run in front of 2 of the hikers and into the valley!

I continue around the inner looping

passing those 4 bison

Here's where they crossed the trail.

Another lone bison and further along, another group of 4 high on a hill.

Soon I reach that herd near the White Rock bay.

Time to head north back to the switchbacks and then to my car. That lone bison I almost ran into, well, he's on the trail now and his buddy is with him.

Awesome day!