Oct 17 - Antelope Island Drive

Sunny day with highs in the 60s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike either the Sentry or Gravel Pit trails.

I arrive just after 8am. There's more water in Farmington Bay from all the rain we've had recently. And there are still tons of birds.

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. 

There a scattered Bull bison near the Visitor's Center and the road up until the first corner by the rocks.

On the downside of the 1st pull-out, I see a herd of Pronghorn. Hard to see because terrain.

After the Frary Peak, I run into tons of scattered herd of bison - the family herds. They are really close to road. Can hear the chewing, ripping grass and grunting. 

While waiting for one of the herds, a coyote runs across the road. I try to find him as I drive by but have no luck.

I continue to pass by herds of bison all the way til about a mile from the Ranch.

I arrive at the Ranch and yes, there are more bison around as there's another herd north of Mushroom Springs. Darn! It's safe to go by now but if they decide to move south, I'll have a tough time getting back. Well, I'll hike the Gravel Pit.

I start north and realize that I forgot sunscreen - shoot! Oh well, no hiking today - at least I got out of my house today.

I pass thru the bison herds but as I pass by Frary Peak, I spot 3 deer -- all doe. 

Got the 4-some - bison, deer, pronghorn and coyote.

I find those Pronghorn again on my return.

Good day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nov 14 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

Image
 Hazy sunshine day with highs in the 50s. I really should be heading into the mountains but I think a bit burned out there -- I just can't motivate myself to go up there. No worries,, I'll just head to Antelope Island. It's 45 degrees as I cross the causeway. The duck/shorebird population sure dropped from last week but there re still a good number of them remaining. When I reach the island, I turn south towards the Ranch. I see several bison around the Visitor's Center as normal. It isn't until I reach Beacon Hill/White Rock Ridge that I more critters -- Pronghorn, at least 20 of them. Then are moving north about mid-way up the mountain. Then it's past Frary Peak and continuing until I'm about 1.5 miles from the Ranch before I find the bison herd. A little spread out in smaller herds but there's a larger herd just crossing the road. There are Fall calves in the mix. Because of their location, I expecting to find more bison around the Sentry trail. Man a...
Read more

Sept 2 - Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

Image
Partly cloudy day with highs in the mid-80s. I take off after 2:30 arriving around 3pm. The canyon is shockingly empty - Rattlesnake Gulch, Grandeaur Peak  and Desolation Trail -- must be the Utes football opener at 5:30 tonight :) It's good for me as I part and start up the trail. As expected majority of the flowers are gone. But there are Aster, Yellow Composites and a few other yellow flowers in spots.  Vegetation is still very green though. I also find Solomon's Seal berries and Rose Hips. It's extremely quiet out - no birds, no chipmunks, no people talking -- it's awesome! Before I know, I'm at the viewpoint. Looks like rain is coming like they predicted. I stop for a bit and started back down. Good hike!
Read more