Jan 26 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island) - Bald Eagle Day!

Heading up to Antelope Island today to enjoy a sunny, blue sky day with temps near 40 degrees. And the inversion is still weak so visibility should be pretty good.

It's 27 degrees when I pass thru the gate. The sun is still rising over the mountains. There are some low clouds over the frozen Farmington Bay but they are moving away. Behind them are blue skies!

I'm nearing the bridge so it's time to start looking for that Bald Eagle who seems to be making his home out on the ice (I've seen him for several weeks now). I don't have to look hard to see the large black spot out on the ice near some open water - it's the Eagle!

It looks like a reddish tone at the water's edge so perhaps he found breakfast this morning! (Hard to tell though as I'm looking in the direction of the rising sun.)

I'm just about ready to take off when whoa! There's another eagle swooping in and lands near the other. A bit of wing flapping and lots of eagle calls (love their calls) and they settle in side by side. Very cool!

I continue on to the docks and surprise - another Bald Eagle. This time perched on a pole and he is eating breakfast!

I stay and watch for a bit and then suddenly he takes off

landing on another pole a little farther north. What a great start to the day!

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.

It's a very quiet drive this morning. Other than 3 bison after Frary Peak, it isn't until I'm about a mile or two from the Ranch (10-11 miles in) before I see 4 Pronghorn running west in front of a car and up a hill. Thankfully, they stop once they are on the hill for me to catch up.

I continue onto the west parking of the Ranch as I want to look for more Pronghorn or other critters. Sure enough as soon as I roll into the dirt lot, I see a herd of 9 deer almost in single file line moving east towards the Ranch's fenced garden. It's a single buck and his harem.

A few of them hop over the fence in search of some food while the others continue east along the fence line.

Time to head back north to start my hike.

As near the hill where I saw the 4 Pronghorn, I see little while dots in the distance above the terraced land.

Yep, Pronghorn!

(I can see the 4 I saw earlier still east and north of the herd. But they are moving toward the herd.)

Also, finally, a herd of bison is just north of the Pronghorn. Always nice to see different animals is the same area.

I continue up the island and over to the west side of the island. Definitely more bison over here. There are a few under Bison Point, a few along the road towards White Rock campground and more along the White Rock trail.

Many cars already in the parking lot -- folks out enjoying a wonder January day.

I start the hike in the clockwise direction passing the herd of bison who, for the most part, are all taking naps.

The trail is a mix of frozen mud, ice, and packed snow but not difficult walking.

Views are good but the animals are scarce until I finally find a herd of Bison across from Beacon Knob.

Onward to the White Rock meadow overlook for a nice view of Frary Peak.

No bison herds in the meadow. :( But perhaps, there's some deer or Pronghorn along the hillsides.

I work my way down to the ridge, across it and then onto the inner trail.

I'm about 3/4 of the way down the inner trail when I see deer entering a gully!

Awesome! It's a herd of 5 or 6 - one looks like a female and one is definitely a male. They are grazing thru a small gully and out the other side.

(One a closer look, it's a herd of males.

The one that I thought was a doe, appears to be a very young male with just antler knobs.)

I continue on seeing 2 bison in the White Rock meadow near the trail below. And that possible brine shrimp boat is out on the Salt Lake west of the White Rock.

Time to head north back to my car stopping only to listen to the Chukkars - just can't find them in rocks.

And then it's time to head home.

I check for the Bald Eagle near the docks but I can't find him.

I cross the bridge and look for those 2 eagles. Surprise, I not only find 2 eagles, I find 4!! The one closest to the highway is a juvenile.

There's an adult a bit southeast of him.

And way in the distance are 2 more adults together.

Very cool!

Only thing I'm missed today was a Kestrel. Opps! Spoke too soon; I pass one perched on a sign near the pay booth.

Incredible day!

Jan 25 - Mill D South (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Finally a sunny day predicted with temps in the low 50s! After a week of over 80 inches of snow in the mountains (I got 8 inches), it's time to enjoy the snow, sun and blue skies!!!

Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Mill D South parking lot. It's mid-canyon (~7500 ft) so 80 inches of snow didn't fall there but I'm sure a significant amount did.

Sunny skies when I leave my house around 9am.

The drive up Big Cottonwood is beautiful. I thought the snow would have fallen/melted off the pines but they are still covered. Almost looks like it just snowed except the road are plowed and dry. Awesome!

I arrive at the roadside trail head and its sunny, blue skies and 17 degrees. (Brrrrrr).

I head off around the gate blocking the road to the actual trail head and across the bridge. Beautiful morning!!!

I head up snow packed road enjoying the wintery scenery. The plowed snow along the sides of the road are up to my chest. And except for the cars heading up to the ski resorts, it's quiet out. It's still early perhaps the birds are not awake yet (or still huddling from the cold).

Half way up the road, a squirrel scampers up the snow pile on the side of the road. He's quick this morning but I do manage to get a decent look at him.

Continuing on, Kessler Peak comes into view - snowy and bright against the blue sky.

(My destination is the meadow at her base.)

I finally reach the actual trail head and cross the stream.

So far the trail has been snow packed as I expected from all the foot traffic heading to/from Donut Falls and then the backcountry and x-country skiers. But I'm hoping the rest of the trail is the same because I did not bring my snowshoes. And I'm in luck - it's not hard packed as the other trail, but it's pretty close. Yea!! So up through the snow-covered trees I go!

I reach the point of the trail where there's a small creek flowing along the left (east) side of the trail. Today, there's is no sign of the creek - it's snow covered and quiet.

I continue up and up.

Finally, I reach the bottom of the meadow!

I'm finally in the sun (love the warmth)! And that sun is glistening of the snow; look like crystals! And of course, the view is incredible as the sun is just rising above the mountain peaks! Love it!

The trail is even less packed now. I'm sinking about ankle deep with almost every step; just trying to reach mid-meadow. When I reach it, I stop to enjoy!

East

West

The silence is broken briefly when a Clark's Nutcracker comes flying thru!

(And I can't forget the helicopters that fly occasionally dropping "lazy" skiers on top of peaks.)

Someday I'll be brave enough to continue on to the Cardiff Mine but for now, that's just a summer/fall destination for me.

The skies are turning cloudy; there's a small storm that's supposed to glance by this afternoon/tonight so it's time to head down

after one last look at the meadow.

Great day!

Jan 20 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Tons of snow this week - 50 inches over 72 hours at Snowbird Resort - thankfully all in the mountains! Put us at 257 inches for the year which is just about average...keep it coming (in the mountains that is).

Heading out to hike the Sentry Trail today. Should be a clean air day but it will be cloudy because there's another storm heading in tonight. (This one will bring snow to the valley.) Temperatures will end up in the mid-40s.

I get an early start (got to be home to watch the football games).

Before I get to the gate, I see a Kestrel perched on the power lines.

As I pass thru the fee station, I see a bunch of dark objects on the Salt Lake. Just a bunch of Canadian geese.

As I continue to cross the causeway, visibility is good - there's a light fog over the ice/water.

It's cloudy but through the clouds, I can still see the sun rising over the mountains.

As I near the island, I see that large black spot out on the ice. Can it possibly that Bald Eagle?! Yes!

(Would love to know why he's been out there pretty regularly.)

But no eagles perched at the docks.

I head south towards the Ranch.

I see 4 bison high on a mountain just after the gate.

And a few more on the mountains coming down the hill from the first viewpoint.

Pretty quiet after that until I'm nearing the Frary Homestead where I see a little bison herd near the mountains.

A bit further along, there's a large bison herd midway between the road and the mountains.

I arrive at the Ranch and notice a bunch of deer in the garden. I'll be taking a close look at them real soon because it's on the way to the trail head.

I also see a small herd of bison on a ridge to the north of Sentry Peak and a larger herd on the ridges not too far from the Sentry Trail.

As I look back, there are critters running south crossing the Sentry Trail. I count 6 and they are Pronghorn! Will keep an eye out for them as I walk the trail.

I gear up (it's about 35 degrees and almost no wind) and start off. First passing those deer still feeding in the enclosure (with the bison north of Sentry Peak in the distance). A few deer watch me but soon continue to eat.

I reach the trail head and glance at the sign noting the animals one might see on the Sentry Trail. The bighorn sheep is one of the animals. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. It was just announced that the island's Bighorn Sheep were decimated by a respiratory disease. About a year ago, it was estimated that the herd was 150. I was even fortunate to watch "flying sheep" as the DNR was capturing about 40 animals to relocate elsewhere in Utah. But now, they only count 26. Unfortunately, the disease is highly contagious and those surviving animals had to be culled to allow another herd to be re-established, hopefully, this Fall. (I feel so fortunate to have witnessed the relocation effort and to actually see the Bighorn Sheep on my hike up to Frary Peak a couple of years ago!)

I continue up the trail (just frozen mud) on my way to Mushroom Springs. I'm watching to the south looking for any signs of the Pronghorn that crossed earlier.

I'm about 1/2 way to the Springs when I see a moving white spot -- I see the Pronghorn!!!! (With some bison in the distance!)

As I near the Springs, I notice a large black spot in the trees - could it be a Bald Eagle? Nope just two Ravens next to each other. :(

I head south eyeing the bison on the ridges when I see the running Pronghorn again! They are running west towards those ridges. I lose sight of them but always watching as I'm heading their way.

A few moments later, here they are again running. This time running back east! Not sure why all the running this morning but it's pretty funny! They disappear over a ridge.

Time to start the up hill with an audience of bison to the south.

As I move up the hill, a portion of the bison herd starts moving farther up the hill (even running at times). Definitely not a fan of my presence. The other part of the herd keep a watchful eye but hold their ground.

I reach the flat switchback and start across. More snow here. It's hard pack snow or ice so pretty easy going. Once across, it's time for the final up hill section. I head up the right side of the loop with Sentry Peak on my left.

I was expecting more snow on this part of the trail but it's the same old hard pack/ice. But definitely more snow across the landscape.

Before long, I'm approaching the ridge - great views to the west!!! I see a boat out on the Salt Lake (brine shrimping??) and surprise, a large bison herd on the downside!

I head across the faint trail (not many folks have been up here) across the ridge.

Before long it's time to start heading down.

Wow! Here's all the snow I was expecting on the north side. Several inches to tromp through. But I do have to admit, it's actually making this downhill much easier than normal

On the way down, I see that bison herd I saw on the way up. Seems like they continue up a little higher since I left them.

I keep a look out for the Pronghorn but do not find them. The deer near the Ranch have also moved on.

Good hike! Nice to be out again!

Back at my car, it's time to head back up the island.

On the way north, I see a hawk,

a Kestrel, a Porcupine and a herd of deer (all buck) out in the distance!

Awesome day!

Jan 13 - Gravel Pit Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island this morning. Hoping for a better day than on Friday (it can't be much worst than Friday). Sunny day predicted with temps in the low 30s. Not expecting to see the sun due to the inversion; just hoping for no fog.

When I leave my house it's cloudy (inversion) but the clouds are higher so visibility is pretty decent -- I can see the mountains thru the haze.

As I near my exit something happily strange occurs; there's a big hole in the clouds and I see glorious blue sky!! Yea!

I'm in that blue sky hole until I reach the causeway where I slowly exit into greyness is as I cross.

As I cross, I quickly see one Kestrel perched near the gate and another not to much farther down the road.

Even though it's grey, it's nice to be able to see the snow, ice and ground on both sides of the causeway. Hey, I can even see Antelope Island today!

Lots of ducks in the open water near the bridge with the town of Syracuse/Layton in the background.

But no Bald Eagles this morning.

I reach the island and head south to the Ranch. (It's 21 degrees with a light wind.)

Coming down the hill from the 1st viewpoint, surprise, the bison are finally back on the north side of the island! I see 5 near the top of a hill. Yea!

As I near the mountains before the White Rock ridge, I see something out of place near a small ridge - they're 4 buck feeding!

Continuing on past Frary Peak, I see a Porcupine in a tree alongside the road. I can't help but stop to get a better look. He's a cutey!

Nearing the Frary Homestead, I see a small herd of bison in the distance on the slopes.

And not too much farther, a larger herd.

So nice to see they returned to the east side of the island!

Still farther along, there's another small group of bison on a hill near the road. As I pass them I look down towards the shoreline. Hey, there are Pronghorn down there! I back up for a better look.

Shoot how did I miss that Pronghorn, he's so near the road! (Guess I was looking the other direction.)

I continue on to the Ranch. Across from the Ranch in the distance is another very large herd of bison!

And to the south of the Ranch are 2 small groups of deer. I'll have to check them out.

As I walk to the 1st herd near the wooden fence, a guy tells me the farther group of deer are very large buck. Cool!

I head down an access road to view the 4 doe at the fence.

And then continue down the road to check-out those buck! Big guys!

Time to head back north for my hike.

On the way back, I can't find those Pronghorn. They've got to be there ... somewhere.

And those 4 deer up on that small ridge, well they are on top of the hill now; perfectly silhouetted against the sky. And they are some impressive buck!!

Time to hike the Gravel Pit Trail (4.4 miles). Still cloudy, still only 27 degrees but slightly more windy. I start off on the trail. A bit surprised that the trail is icy but there is still snow on the ground.

Seeing lots of paw prints, I'm sure some of them are dogs but I know others are coyote as I see their scat. I also find icy Chukkar tracks.

As I pass behind the corrals, I see a group of 5 bison. (Quite possibly the same 5 I saw earlier this morning.)

As I near, they are well aware of me (and not liking it) as their tails are up.

But I pass without issue.

It's quiet on the trail - no birds, no sounds other than my crunching footsteps.

I'm less than 1/4 mile from Point when I see another herd of bison not that far from the trail. Boy are they scattered a bout today!

After passing them, I head up to Beacon Knob. Once there, stop for a quick down down towards a hazy Frary Peak.

Time to head back pass the 1st herd of bison and as I round the corner I see snowy mountain peaks!! (The blue sky hole is still out!) Fantastic!

I make my way past the 2nd herd and back to my car.

Great day but it's time to go home!