Nov 5 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day highs near 60. I should really head to the mountains but I'm looking for a longer, snowless hike so I'm heading up to Antelope Island. 

I shouldn't have to worry about bison today; the round-up was last Saturday so they should still be penned up for the physicals this week-end or next.

I arrive at the park gate and start across the causeway. 

Hey, there are some cows about 1/4 mile in on the Salt Lake side. It's the farthest in I've ever seen them Must be some good food!

I continue along towards the island.

Plenty of water closer to the island and lots of ducks -- lots of Shovelers!

Since the bison are rounded up, I head directly to the White Rock Trail.

I do see a few Bulls before the gate -- most likely Bulls.

I make the right and almost immediately see a Bull walking towards the road. I stop and wait. It's takes a little bit but he crosses right in front of me. Love it!

I continue to the White Rock parking lot. There are a few cars already.

It's in the low 40s now.

I gear up and start up the trail heading clockwise direction.

There are no bison in site - yea!

Up the switchback now and heading towards the corrals - can't wait to see all the bison.

As I near, I can't see any bison - strange. (Seems like the Park didn't wait the usual week before doing physicals this year. They were done earlier this week so the bison were all free roaming today.)

Before long, I'm passing Beacon Hill and I can see into White Rock Valley -- no critters that I can see.

I start around Beacon Hill and just pass the overlook bench when I see a bison coming out of the valley heading right towards me. Hello there!

We both stop and start at each other for a brief moment. I see another bison coming out from behind, time to move fast past them.

Once out of their way, I stop and watch 6 bison - Mom & calf and 4 others (with the Bull in the back) walk over the edge and across the trail. Very cool!

I continue along to and across the ridge. I look back but can not see the bison.

Along the ridge, I spot a few Horned Lark.

I reach the inner trail and start walking along it. It's not long when I'm surprised by a coyote not that far from me. Not sure where he came from but he's walking towards the ridge. Very cool!

Along the inner trail, I see lots of flying grasshoppers and surprise, 11 Common Checkered Skippers

and a Checkered White. Yea!

I also see 2 bison on the far side of the meadow way in the distance.

And when I'm more than 3/4 of the way down the inner trail, there are 2 bison laying 1/2 up a slope. I pass them without issue.

I complete the loop and soon I'm back to my car.

Awesome hike! Good choice for me!!

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