Nov 23 - Gravel Pit Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island this morning to hike the Sentry Trail (if the bison that were there have moved away). It's supposed to be sunny and near 50 today.

Along the causeway,

I see a Norther Harrier perched on a road sign but it flies as I near; the white bar on his tail clearly showing.

When I arrive on the island, it's 32 degrees and cloudy. (boo!)

I heading down to the Ranch like normal. I see no animals behind the Visitor's Center; my first sighting is a lone bison along the mountain side after Frary Peak.

A bit farther down the road, I find 4 in a gully in the mountains.

There are also a couple of cars with spotting scopes pointed at the mountains but I don't see anything.

I continue on expecting the bison to still be near the Sentry Trail but as I pull up, there are no bison! Perhaps they've moved south or over to the west side. Hmmm.

my thought of hiking the Sentry Trail comes to an end as the gate on the dirt road is now closed. The trail now starts at the Ranch and is a mile longer. I'll pass today since it's still cloudy and only in the low 30s; I normally don't hike in this weather.

So I turn around and head back north. I do spot a larger herd of bison along the mountain side and a large brown hawk perch in a tree.

I stop at the Gravel Pit trail. It's not the weather I prefer but I'm here and there's no wind so I start up the trail. Thankfully, no bison in the pit today! :)

I coming up on the Lizard Rock and noticing 4 bison in the distance when I see something out of the corner of my eye - it's a coyote! He's standing on a large rock with the blue sky behind him. What a beautiful animal covered in his puffy winter fur. I only get a quick look before in walks off the rock and disappears into the grasses. Way cool! (I haven't seen a coyote in quite some time!)

I continue on towards the bison. They're laying down and if they stand up, I'm turning around. But they never move an inch and I pass by without any issue.

I continue along and am on the last stretch before the turn to the Point when I see another bison laying in the distance.

As I pass, I notice that he has a buddy out there also laying in the grasses.

I reach my turn and head up the little hill and to the overlook.

After a quick stop, time to head back.

And hey, the sun is finally coming up!

I looking for those 4 bison but I don't see them until I'm parallel to them. They are hidden behind the dead stems of the sunflowers. Kinda surprised me!

They are still laying down.

There are 4-5 horse back riders stopped on the White Rock trail on the other side of the bison.

I would guess they are looking at the bison. I continue along constantly looking back at the bison and one finally stands; tail up. He's looking in the direction of the horses apparently not happy that they are still not moving along (or maybe for some other reason).

Back at my car, I head out of the parking lots; there's a bison now above the lot and continue north.
When I reach the north side, I make the turn to the west side. As I cross to the south side behind the Visitor's Center I always slow down looking for Pronghorn and guess what? Pronghorn!!! I see the head of 2 Pronghorn both facing north.

I roll up a little bit and hey, there's a whole herd all laying down! Very cool!

I loop around behind the Visitor's Center spotting only a few bison below Bison Point.

Good day!

Nov 18 - Willow Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Partly cloudy day with highs near 60 degrees forecast today. Heading up Big Cottonwood today to hike a portion of the Lake Blanche trail. I'm really hoping to see moose and that trail can be pretty good for sightings. I'm targeted actually reaching Lake Blanche but if I wander my way up there that's cool; it's an awesome spot.

I reach the parking around 9am. There's only a couple of car in the lot. The temp is 42 degrees and the trail is in the shade; it's a little nippy.

I start the approximately 1/4 mile walk to the actual trail head. It's a bit icy but I have my YakTrak on and my micro-spikes in my pack. I get to the trail head and start and soon realize that I'm not feeling this trail today. So I head back to my car and drive on to the Willow Lake Trail.

It's still sunny as I start up to Willow Lake. The aspens are all naked now.

I take the newer trail. There's no packed snow/ice on the lower part but there is somewhat frozen mud which will be fun coming back down (slippery stuff).

As I near the meadow, there are some icy/snow packed sections of the trail.

I'm searching for deer and moose but not seeing any.

I finally reach the snow-free, brown meadow.

And start my way to the lake. The trail is snow packed as I head thru the aspen to the lake. I reach the icy lake.

I look around but still know moose or deer; just silence.

I work my way to the other side of the lake resting briefly on a large rock.

And then I continue my way around the lake into the aspen grove. The trail is snow packed now.

And I can hear a Chickadee.

I'm thru the grove and back at the meadow.

Time to head home. Good day!

Nov 17 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day with highs in the 50s predicted. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning. Not sure whether I'm hiking Sentry or White Rock Trails; I guess it depends where the bison are hanging out.

It's still in the 30s as I cross the causeway. Appears the only waterfowl left are Coots.

When I reach the island, I turn left to head to the Ranch.

Along the road behind the Visitor's Center, there are a bunch of big trucks with men all lined up with their spotting scopes and big lens cameras pointing behind the Visitor's Center. I'm sure they are all watching a buck Mule Deer. I pull off and scan the area but do not find anything. I'm moving on.

Moving a bit farther, I find a lone bison.

And still farther, in the rocks, I find another bison.

I'm rolling up on the Gravel Pit trail when I see a lone bison with some vegetation stuck in his horns. He's not happy and he's walking towards the road. I stop to watch as he plows his head into the vegetation to shake off his "head ornament". He is successful and takes a roll on the ground kicking up some dust.

I wonder if he is one that gave me a hard time last week when I tried to hike the Gravel Pit.

The viewpoint is feet away and I head in. There I find two other bison - yes, probably the 3 I met last week.

Time to move on. I pass Frary Peak and see cars pulled off head. I'm betting another buck.

Sure enough, as I get closer, I see a doe and a large buck. She is dutifully following him.

At one point, he decides to have a fight with a sapling. His head swaying from side-to-side. Pretty fun to watch.

I continue on finding a Hawk

and wondering where all the bison are and it isn't until I reach the Ranch when I see them. A large herd hanging around the start of the Sentry Trail. Guess I'm hiking White Rock.

I don't stop to look at them as there are 3 other cars watching; I turn around and head north toward the White Rock Trail.

Along the way, I find another herd of bison tucked in among the rocks near the mountains. Impossible to see heading south.

And I roll back up on the buck/doe I start earlier. But, I see another doe in the grasses near them. I stop, get out of my car for a look.

As I stand on the side of the road, I hear rustling/movement below me. Hey, there are 5 doe in the grasses below me (maybe 30 feet away) happily eating. Way cool!

Continuing on, as I start up the hill to the viewpoint, there's a herd of Pronghorn alongside the road. Some are even barely on the road!! I stop for a look!

I'm not sure if they were hiding in the grasses when I went through before or they moved in but very nice!

The 3 bison are still nearby at the viewpoint.

I continue on to the White Rock Trail. It's still in the 30s as I start up the trail.

The trail is quite. No animal sightings on the way to the White Rock overlook. Actually, no humans either.

I look in the White Rock meadow but can't find any.

I work my way down to and along the inner trail. Just a few small grasshoppers hopping around.

I'm looking for deer/pronghorns on the hill sides but find none. But, as I'm about 1/2 way across the inner trail, I do see 3 bison out in the meadow!!

And as I complete the inner trail and rounding the corner north, I find another bison along the lake shore.

Great day!

Nov 15 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Well, when I was at Twin Lakes on Oct 26, I thought it would be the last time for this year. Oct temps were far colder than normal in Oct, there was snow on ground; who would have thought Nov brings in normal/above normal temps and absolutely no precipitation.

So how can I resist heading up to Twin Lakes today when its partly sunny with temp near 60 degrees in the valley.

Armed with my micro-spikes I take drive up Big Cottonwood to go one more time.

When I arrive, it's 43 degrees and sunny. There's only a few cars in the lot - Silver Lake is technically closed under the Nordic Center opens whenever the snow eventually falls.

I gear up and start along the boardwalk. There are icy spots but most of the boardwalk is clear. There is some snow on the ground but there are patches that are snow-free. The nearby mountains in my view are covered lightly with snow.

Crossing the footbridge, the water is covered in ice. I check the couple small open patches for fish, but don't see any.

I work the other side of the lake arriving at my turn off. Before, I head up the trail, I decide to take a detour to the pier for a quick view.

Time to start up the trail. For the most part, thru the trees the trail is clear so I decide to head to Lake Solitude first.

Once I get thru the initial short stretch thru the aspen, the trail is snow packed. Time for the micro-spikes for an easier walk.

Quiet walk except for one Pika scurrying across the rocks.

Before long, I arrive at an icy Lake Solitude.

I stop briefly before continuing up the big hill to the view above Twin Lakes. The tracks of a snow cat vehicles lead the way.

Soon I arrive above at an icy Twin Lakes.

I continue up to my perch plowing my way the about 6-12 inches of snow but it's well worth the view as always!

After taking a brief rest, I start my way down to Twin Lakes

and down to the switchback.

Along the switchback, I see 5 Pika running around.

Good day!

Nov 8 - Desolation Trail (Millcreek Canyon)

It's almost 60 degrees today!! I have to take advantage of it by heading out for a quick hike after work. Heading to a trail that I have not done since Spring - the Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook.

I don't expect anything exciting since it's the middle of Fall. Just wanting to get out for some good exercise and fresh air (well sort of fresh air - there's a haze in the valley).

Heading up the canyon, the leaves have all dropped (except of course for the Oaks; they like keeping them longer). Everything is pretty much brown. But there is still some snow on the shadier south side of the road. Oops, I probably should have brought my YakTrak today. :(

I arrive at the trail head - it's near 60 in the valley but on 50 here. I put a fleece on and start up the trail. And it's packed snow right at the start but thankfully, it clears up back to dirt.

I start up the trail. Although over 90% of the trail is clear, the rest is snow packed and/or icy. It's not bad on the way up but I'm curious how the way down will go.

Nothing much going on during the uphill; couldn't even find even one flower left.

I stop for a view of Grandeur Peak

before continuing around the corner for the view of the valley. (So love the smog!)

On the way down, the ice got me twice; only once with an "almost" fall as I caught myself by falling in mud on the uphill wall - squish! Now with two hands covered in mud, I get to finish the hike.

Oh, on the way down, I hear what sounded like a bat hitting a tree. I turn to look but see nothing. But I am suspicious that there is a bull moose around because the last two times I heard that noise, there was a bull moose nearby. And not far from where I hear the noise, I see a moose track. A fresh one! (With all the human passing by, this one is on top - I missed him.)

Good day!

Nov 9 - Antelope Island

Heading to Antelope Island to enjoy a sunny near 60 degree day. My plan is to hike the Sentry trail but open to other options depending on where the bison, who had their physicals last week-end, are now roaming.

It's in the low 30s and sunny when I start across the causeway. There's a low haze over Farmington Bay. I'm not seeing any shorebirds but that's not a surprise since it's mid-November.

There are some Coots near the bridge just before the island.

As I cross, I surprised by the number of cars heading off the island. It's 8:15am why are all these people leaving the island. Hmmmm...

Reaching the island, I see a bison on the northeast corner behind the Visitor's Center.

And there are 5 bison at the intersection to the Ranch. I roll past since there are several cars already pulled off and watching.

I'm half expecting to see the "family" herds on the northern part of the island but it's not until around Frary Peak when I see my first large herd on the lake bed slowly moving south. I get see their breaths in the air.

There's also another smaller herd near the water trough under Frary Peak.

Ahead is a group of cars all pulled over looking at something. I reach the cars, park and head across the street to see a bunch of men with long lens watching a single buck. A decent sized rack but I've seen bigger.

I move on passing one more large herd of bison (again on the lake bed) a mile or two from the Ranch.

I arrive at the Ranch and figure out why the island is so busy this morning, there's a 1/2 marathon that starts at the Ranch. There's are tons of cars here and bunches of people. I decide to turn around and hike another trail. So I turn around and head north.

Easy drive back. The exciting part, I see a porcupine running across the road!!

I think about hiking the Gravel Pit but decide on White Rock Trail so I head over to the west side of the island. Unfortunately, there's yet another running event at White Rock, a 50k - Antelope Island is sure becoming the place for running events over the last few years.

So I turn around and head back to the Gravel Pit. As I arrive, there's one lone bison above the parking lot (and I can't see him from the lot).

I park and start up the trail. I don't go far when I spot 3 bison in the Gravel Pit. They know I'm there; one has its tail up. They are bison and probably cranky since they're been herded up, corralled and got physicals. I continue along watching them closely.

The trail takes a turn ahead towards the bison; I don't want to get any closer so I go off trail just heading straight I'll hit the trail again as it heads up.

As I'm aligned with the one bison (eye-to-eye), the two start walking towards me. I stop and they continue towards me. Hmmm. They're trying to play so games here and I'm not interested in playing.  I turn around and start heading back to the parking lot. The bison change directions still heading towards me. Time to start running. I run about 20 yards and the bison are just standing looking at me.

I return to my car and they are still standing. Guess they did want to play. :(

Today is not for me to hike but seeing bison, porcupine, deer and being intimidated by 2 bison makes for a good day still! :)

Nov 3 - US-128 Scenic Drive & Dead Horse State Park

Well, today is the reason I'm down in the Moab today. I saw this article a month or two ago about the scenic drive along US-128 connecting Moab with Grand Junction. It's an historic route that is no longer the main road into Moab since the creation of I-70 and US-191.

The road is scenic because it travels along the Colorado River and I assume there's a lot of huge red rock. Today, is my time to check things out. And I'm prepared, I have a list of the "things to see" along with the mile markers plus there are 2 hikes that have my interested: Fisher's Tower and the Amphitheater Loop. I'm so excited!!

I take off from the hotel around 9am, later than I should have especially with the time change but the sun is up and the temps are in the 40s.

US-128 is ron the north side of Moab so it doesn't take long to get to my right (east bound) turn. The Grandview Hiking trail is already packed but I'm just passing by.

I'm immediately driving along the Colorado River. Enjoying the big rocks and the river.

At 21 miles, I finally reach Fishers Tower Rd. I make the right turn onto a gravel road. The road is in great shape except it's a bit washboard'y. It's gonna be a long 21 miles as that's what my instructions say. I see cars ahead but perhaps that's just a campground or off-roading area. I'm uncomfortable with 21 miles on this road by myself so I turn around. But I'm confused by the 21 miles, I know I would not have wanted to hike this if I had to travel so long to get the trail head. Oh well!

Next stop is Hittle Bottom. I park and head down the boat ramp to the river.

And then I go find the Amphitheatre Trail which is right are the corner. The trail is a ~3 mile loop. The right hand side which is 1.2 miles and the left side is 1.4 miles with a hill in the middle. I start up the right hand side.

I'm heading thru the desert with lots of dry previously blooming flower. I'm heading to a large rock formations.

Along the way, there a pillars of rocks 20+ feet tall.

The trail crosses a wash several times.

The deeper into the trail I go, I find some Rabbitbrush still blooming.

Along with a single grasshopper.

I reach the large rock formation and lose the trail.

I do find a good view back towards my car.

After some searching I find the trail again heading up over a 200 rocky hill. I start up but decide I'm making it an out-n-back instead of a loop and start back.

On the return, I see one Sulphur butterfly and surprise, a Western Pygmy Blue (and it's Nov 3 - wow!)

I reach my car and grab my lunch. There's a Backroads (hiking/biking) tour group in the the covered picnic area but they look like they are wrapping things up. So I head to the far end of the picnic area, sit and start eating.

While sitting there, I see a bunch of them go up the sandy hill and start taking pictures. I also hear one of the guides say something to the effect and 'its and exciting find and hopefully we will see more this week. I have no idea what they are talking about and just sit quietly.

A bit later, I see what they were seeing, there's Bighorn Sheep on the rocks!! My camera is in my car, so I leave my lunch and head to my car. I grab the camera and then head up the big sandy hill -- surprise!

There are 4 of them. Looks like a family group - male, female and two young. The male is pretty aggressive in keeping his little group together. Cool!

I head back to the shelter to finish eating. Well, it doesn't last too long as I see the sheep running just above the water. Appears that they may be heading down for a drink! I pick up my lunch/water and head over and down the boat launch. They seem to get nervous with my approach (even though I'm on the opposite side of the water and they are 30 yards farther east of me) so I sit down and enjoy the show!! How special!

The young ones are the first ones to go to the water's edge and drink - from their knees!

The adults quickly follow.

Eventually they move slightly up the slope. Time for me to get moving again.

I continue along the highway stopping at several views along the way including a view of the new Colorado River bridge.

The original wooden bridge; the Dewey bridge is just a bit farther down the road.

Then it's across the river and onto a pull-out that has an old Indian writing on the rocks above it.

I out of the rocks and away from the river at this point; naturally the landscape is now different.

But still grazing country!

Soon I reach I-70 and head west to the Moab exit where I head south to visit Deadhorse State Park. I've never been there and want to see it's canyon views. The park sits just south of Canyonlands National Park.

First stop is the views from the Visitor's Center (and nearby nature trail).

The blue in the distance are solar evaporation ponds.

I then start walking the 1.5 mile East Canyon View trail but after a bit decide, I'll just drive to the end viewpoint.

And the view is gorgeous!

(the morning would be the best time to be here).

It's after 3, time once again to head to the hotel.