Jan 1 - Gravel Pit

Happy New Year!

Cloudy, foggy morning with temperatures in the 20s and no wind.

Driving thru Syracuse, it's sunny and clear. As I near the causeway, I'm in the fog. Not a great way to start the year with a 40 mile drive and fog. But as I continue to cross the causeway, it starts to clear. Yea!

I do see 2 Bald Eagles far out on the ice; no hawks.

I head directly to the Ranch hoping for another Sentry Trail hike.

There are two lone bison behind the Visitor's Center. One is closer to the road; he has snow on his face.


I'm out of the fog until I head downhill when I enter a fog hole and I can't see again.


I'm back in the clear as I approach Frary Peak.

I count 4 porcupine as I drive by.

A bit farther down the road, I spot a small herd of bison up near the mountains.


There's another herd of bison up near mountains farther down the road.

And a herd of pronghorn. They're hard to see but I spot their white butts reflecting in the sun. I count 14 of them.

I arrive at the Ranch. Sentry trail looks clear except 2 bison. I think I can get around them. But first, I go to look for the Owls. No owls but I do find a sleeping Porcupine.



Pass right under him.

As I head back to my car, I look towards the Sentry trail. Holy cow! Those 2 bison are now a huge herd! Where were they hiding that I couldn't see them?! Guess I'm hiking the Gravel Pit today.

Time to head north. There's more fog on the way including over the start of the Gravel Pit trail but I'm hiking it anyway. So off I head in the fog. 


Need to stay aware because I can't really see that far.

Fortunately, I'm out of the fog by the time I climb out of the pit.

Quiet hike but the fog is pretty amazing across the landscape.

Soon I'm heading up towards Beacon Hill. As I approach the end, oh my, the fog is absolutely amazing up high.

And oh, there is a herd of bison in the White Rock meadow!

Way cool up here!

Time to head back.

Great start to day one 2021!

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