March 28 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-60s. Perfect Spring day.

But when I leave it's barely 40 degrees and the sun has not yet risen above the mountains. The moon is huge to the west; I'm mean huge!!

As I'm driving north on I-15, I see a lone White Pelican flying south! Love it!

I arrive at the gate just before 8am. Unlike the last time I was here, there are no cars waiting (and no gatekeeper either).

As I cross the causeway, the water is extremely low on both sides. Not surprising as we're in an Extreme/Exceptional Drought situation that will not get better with our below normal snowmelt.

But the migration is here; tons of shorebirds along the Farmington Bay side. Wish I brought my binocs.

I reach the island and south towards the Ranch. Still hoping the bison move from the Sentry Trail.

There's a lone bison laying on the lakebed and other north of the fence.

The rest of the drive is quiet except for a lone Porcupine in it's normal spot. 

Oh, and a male Pheasant that runs across the road making the car ahead of me to slam on the brakes.

I finally see bison in the distance on a mesa and another on the east side of the road. I stop as 4 of them cross the road in front of me - the rest of the here stays where they are.

There's also a herd along Farmington Bay near the sagebrush. 

No huge herd; but it's there on the island somewhere.

I reach the Ranch and surprise, no bison anywhere. Cool!

I gear up and head off.

Quiet walk. No deer near the Ranch, no Meadowlarks calling yet but as I'm nearing Mushroom Springs, I spot several critters walking west in the distance. (There's 3 plus one farther east.) Either deer or pronghorn; I'm betting deer. (But the photos show Pronghorn.)

Up, up I go! There's no flowers close to blooming yet.

Soon I reach the switchback and head across. From up here, I can't find any bison but the views are nice.

Then it's time for the final uphill before reaching the top. Awesome!

I take a break on the picnic table. Not because I'm tired, but I have new hikers and I've got blisters. I've never gotten blisters - Grrr!

I decide to save a 1/2 mile or so and instead of crossing the ridge and then heading down, I just head immediately back down to save my feet.

I'm nearing the switchback coming around a curve when a lone bison rounds a corner and stands 70-80 from me. We're both shocked to see each other. I backup and head directly down the hill giving Mr Bison hopefully enough room. I make it a few steps and he takes off running in the opposite direction. And he runs a good 1/4 miles until he disappears around a corner. Wow! 

It's quiet the rest of the way back to my car.

Time to head back north up the island. 

The bison have been moving around during my hike.

As I roll up towards Frary Peak, hey, there's a lone Pronghorn near the road! I stop. 

The Pronghorn trots across the street and continues down towards the lakebed. So cool!

And as I pass the Frary Peak Rd and the White Rock ridge comes into view, I spot a herd of bison up near Beacon Hill. Oh that would have been an interesting hike today!

A hundred yards or so farther down the road, there are 2 bison near the road. Oh wait, there several Pronghorn laying on the hill. They look like rocks but they're not!!! I wonder how many of these cars will actually spot these guys?



Awesome day!

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