April 1 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Partly sunny day with highs in the low 50s. Not bad after another week of snow/rain (over 40inches in the mountains). I'm taking advantage of our 1 nice day between storms and heading up to Antelope Island with a plan of hiking Sentry Trail and the hope of seeing some of the baby bison now running around the Island. (Note: this winter has broken the old record for most snow at Alta. Alta/Brighton now after over 800 inches of snow; Snowbird/Solitude around mid-700s. Absolutely incredible!)

I'm expecting a muddy hike today; just hoping it's not too slippery.

When I arrive on the causeway, the sun is trying to break-thru the clouds. 

The Avocet numbers are increasing and the duck numbers are rising. I see plenty of XXX today.

I arrive on the Island and there are no bison around the Visitor's Center.

I turn left and head towards the Ranch.

Sadly, I see no critters on the way to the Ranch. (The bison must have moved back west probably to White Rock meadow.) But it is finally starting to green-up.

I park at the ranch, gear up and start up the road. (Oh, it's in the low 40s with light winds).

The road is quite wet but there are only a couple spots that are muddy.

As I walk up the road, I hear pheasant calls a couple of time.

I also see a lone deer.

And I watch a hawk chase a small bird.

Good stuff and I haven't yet reached the trail head.

Along the trail to Mushroom Springs I see a Northern Harrier flying.

I'm hearing lots of calling birds including Western Meadowlark and Horned Lark.

Time to start the uphill to the switchback.

At the switchback, this week's snow still remains on the landscape and the trail (it was clear last week).

Again about 1/2 way, I look up and see 2 Pronghorn looking down on me. I wonder if these are the same 2 from last Friday.

I complete the switchback and start the uphill to loop. Along the way I see 2 Chukkars.

I see the 2 Pronghorn again. The one calls and the 2 trots off to the SW.

I start the loop counterclockwise and it's got the week's snow on it. which I avoid if possible. The large snow patch at the top is still there too. And soon, I'm on the ridge.

I'm see blue birds flying - I can't remember the species.

Pretty windy up here now!

I see no bison or other critters around so I start across.

About 1/2 way to Sentry Peak I'm stunned by the sight of a herd of Bighorn Sheep at the NE base of Sentry Peak. Holy Cow! I scramble for my camera but they are over the ridge. I race to the edge hoping I can spot them but they're gone. Dang it! Dang it! How could I have missed them. For 10 years I scan for them when I reach the ridge. I did today but I still missed them! Grrr! But I did see them and have this wonderful memory engrained in my brain. Awesome! Maybe I can see them on the downside.

I continue across the ridge spotting 3 bison on the west side behind Sentry Peak.

Completing the crossing, 

it's time to head down looking for those Bighorn Sheep.

I spot those 2 Pronghorn again and as I get closer, they alarm cry and move on. Shoot, they've probably alerted the Bighorn Sheep!

I keep heading down watching the slopes. I never find them but I do run into those Pronghorn a couple more times.

I reach the loop and decide to head back uphill still hoping to find them. I make it a little more than 1/2 way up before turning around. Yes, disappoint; yes, mad at myself; and yes, very happy and excited that I got that brief glimpse of them!

Time to head down. Super windy now as the next storm approaches.

I reach my car and it's time to head home. I saw Bighorn Sheep today!! (And deer, pronghorn, bison, Chukkar - incredible!)

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