Utah Adventure 2023

 Heading to Antelope Island to finally hike the Sentry Trail. It's the end of a beautiful 4 days of sun. More rain coming in tomorrow. The temps are in the low 30 this morning but heading up near 50 days. The winds will also be increasing as the bad weather get closer. When I arrive on the causeway there are lots of duck flying, swooping around; it's absolutely beautiful! I arrive on the Island and head toward the Ranch. The three bison behind the VC, 3 more a bit farther down and 1 guy on the east side of the road before the fence. As I round the 1st curve, I see a coyote trotting towards the road. It's a quiet drive until round the corner approaching the White Rock/Beacon hill range; there's huge herd of bison spanning both sides of the road. I'm sure the trail runners won't be happy because they are on the trail and crowded around the trail's road crossing. And I get to drive thru a herd of bison!! This is a family herd; lots of young bison from last Fall

 It's a work Friday but it's sunny with highs in the mid-40s; it's time for a hike (after I complete my 40 hours). Heading up to  Antelope Island and I'm thinking about White Rock Trail but will probably just defer to the Gravel Pit (bison permitting) as I'm getting a later than normal start - and it's still chilly out. Temps on in the upper 20s overnite so there's ice on the water along the causeway. I think I see a Bald Eagle on the Farmington Bay side but I caught it at the last minute and was unwilling to turn around. It's an unconfirmed sighting in my book. (Though it would be weird to be around in mid-March especially after we had temps in the 50s.) And because of the ice, there's not a lot of ducks near the causeway. As I arrive on the Island, the flag is blowing a lot more than I had hoped (brrrr - boo), there are no bison visible anywhere (yea!) and there's no snow visible anywhere (yes). There is snow on the mountains but the snow level

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-40s before our next storm rolls in later in the day. Heading up to Antelope Island to once again try to get up the Sentry Trail. We had a warm week so I'm hoping enough snow has melted to make this doable in my eyes. It's a cool morning at 26 degrees. But the skies are clear and the mountains snowy. I arrive on the causeway around 8am. I'm surprised it looks so frozen. I know it's in the 20s but we were in the 50s yesterday. No Kestrels, hawks or Bald Eagles as I cross. Actually there are no ducks since it's mostly ice. They are probably out in deeper water. For the first time in a couple of weeks, there are no bison behind the Visitor's Center except for 3 bulls at the south - west intersection. And good news, lots of snow has melted. Good for hiking but it also means more mud. I head south towards the Ranch. Across from Frary Peak, I see a large hawk and a Porcupine. In the flats where the Pronghorn have been hanging out the la

 Cloudy morning with precipitation arriving late this afternoon. I'm taking a quick trip out to Little Dell reservoir to check the water/ice levels. I'm just curious to see if there is ice break-up because they released water from the dam this week in preparation to the massive snow melt that will happen in May/June. Better to release it now when streams/creeks are low flow then in the middle of the melt; mitigating the potential for flooding this Spring. I take Emigration Canyon on the way there. At one point before the restaurant, there is a car pulled off the road. Of course, I slow to pass but I look up the hill side to see what they are looking at. Well, there's a few Elk up there! Awesome! I arrive at the Reservoir just before 9am. I was expecting a parking lot full of people but only a few cars. I need to remember that for the future. The water/ice looks no different that last time I was out there. Lots of snow/ice; just a frozen landscape. I head down to the gate fo

 Well the snow didn't come overnight; it's supposed to come around 10am - flurries 30-40% chance that almost means we will not get snow. Also, the winds are calm. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike Sentry Peak; hoping to get past the switchback today. I arrive and although it is cloudy, the sun is there fighting hard to shine through. The winds are calm and it's 33 degrees. There's a Kestrel perched not far from the gate. Tons of ducks on the causeway this morning and yes, one Bald Eagle among them. The bison are still on the north side of the Island even some on the tip this morning. Part of that big herd moved over to the east side, I see them when I look back as I pass the Gravel Pit trail. Lots of snow has melted on the lower elevation since last Friday; hoping, the Sentry Trail will be pretty clear. In the Frary Peak area, I barely miss a male Pheasant as he crosses the road. Whew! I turn my car around in hopes of snagging a photo as he moves thru the grasses. H

 I have the day off on Friday but they have snow in the forecast in the AM but there's sun today so I'm taking off early today (12:30) and heading up to get a hike in and enjoy some sun before yet another snowy week-end. It's clouding up as I arrive at the gate but still filtered sunlight.. No eagles but lots of ducks just before I reach the Island. It's about 1:30 PM so there's no Island cruise, I just head for the Gravel Pit. (I'd love to do Sentry Peak but I'm pretty sure it's going to be quite muddy.) There are bison behind the Visitor's Center on the rocks. And a couple at the intersection with the West side. And a nice sized herd about 100 yards south. The bison have arrived on the north side! I head directly for the Gravel Pit. Things are looking good: little wind and I don't see any bison in my way (so far). I gear up, step out of my car and a bit behind the pit toilet are 2 bison staring at me. Shoot! Off to White Rock! When I cross over