Feb 7 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs in the low 50s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hopefully hike the Sentry Trail. Hoping the all day snow we had on Friday has encouraged the 4-5 bison still hanging out around the Sentry trail have moved on... please!

Beautiful crossing of the causeway. It's a mix of ground, water and ice. No hawks this morning but I do spot 1 Bald Eagle on the north side of the causeway and another on the south side.

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch.

There's a little herd of bison among the rocks on the first turn. 

That's all the critters until I'm about 2-3 miles from the Ranch; there I find a good sized herd up on a "mesa" against the mountains - just little black dots.

I arrive at the Ranch and yea, I see no bison.

I gear up and head south towards the start of the Sentry Trail. Along the way, I spot 3 deer in the trees. They are hard to see because of the morning sun. Looks like 2 buck and a doe.

I reach the trail and head towards Mushroom Springs. As I near I see something that looks like 2 bison about 1/2 way up to mountain. If they are bison, I'm not worried because they are the other side of the ravine. Up I go!

I'm 1/2 way up and I find no bison; they are just rocks.

Oh, I guess I should say that the snow from Friday is all but gone. The trail is wet and muddy but easy walking. I'm sure I will run into snow on the final uphill as it doesn't get as much sunlight.

I spot a Horned Lark up here.

Before long, I'm across the flat switchback and heading up hill again and yes, there's snow but just a few inches.

It's a pretty uphill.

Soon I reach the top - so pretty!

I start across the ridge. I find no animals on the ridge nor on the other downhill side.

I reach the other side and start back downhill.

As I reach the bottom and start walking towards Mushroom Springs, I see 4 black dots seemingly moving towards Mushroom Springs. Perhaps they are horseback riders or bison; I can't tell yet.

When I reach the Springs, I can clearly tell they are bison. Thanks guys, for letting me hike today!

I reach my car and head north. Along the way, I spot a lone coyote on the move southbound.


And then there's a large herd of bison up near the mountains.

A bit farther, I see another coyote standing on a burned section of vegetation. What a pretty picture! A grey coyote on a black background!! Unfortunately, he moves just as I take a picture. :(

Along the causeway on the way out, that Bald Eagle on the south side of the causeway is still sitting there over 3 hours later. A nice send-off.


Good day!

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