Nov 22 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with a high near 50. But it's a frosty morning. Heading up to Antelope Island for a non-icy/non-snowy hike in the sun.

I arrive around 9am and head straight for the White Rock Trail head. Yep, no animal search today. I figured it too late to watch the animals start their day.

I do see a bison in the field behind the Visitor's Center and another along the road in front of Bison Point. I can hear him crunching grass.

I continue on to the White Rock parking. There's only one car in the lot. I'm not sure if this is a leftover car from the week-end OR they're motivated because they are parked far from the trail head.

I gear up and start up the trail in the clockwise direction. I can see some bison dots far in the distance. I'll be closing in on them when the trail turns east.

Lots of frost on the ground on this quiet morning.

I'm up the switchback and now heading east. Those bison are getting closer. I see 5 bison; 1 standing and 4 laying down. There's 3 others in the distance farther east.

Quiet walk until I round the corner of the north side of Beacon Hill; there are 2 bison feeding and they are not that far from the trail. 

I continue along until I feel it's time to give the bison a bit more room. That mean climbing up a side of Beacon Hill until it flattens out. I can clearly see the bison and now, they are watching me. 

I continue along until I'm past them and they turn away from me. I head back down the slope to the trail and continue on. As the White Rock meadow comes into view, 

I scan for animals. Shoot!  There are 3 bison in the distance just above the inner trail. :( 


I either have to take the outer loop (and an extra mile) or do this as an out-n-back. When I reach the bench overlooking White Rock meadow, I decide to do the out-n-back.

Oh, and I see no critters in the meadow.

Time to head back and deal with those 2 bison again.

The bison are farther from the trail now and continue moving farther away. I head up to higher ground again to give them some space. Once I figure they are not a threat (they are now laying down), I head back to the trail and continue on my way.

Quiet return trip. Those 3 bison are still laying down. Of the 5 bison, all are standing except 1.

Nice hike!

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