April 23 - Sentry Peak (Antelope Island)

 I'm heading back to the Island again. Beautiful sunny day with temps near 60 degrees and there's not many other places to hike. Also, in a week or 2 or 3, the biting gnats will be out so I might as well take advantage of the Island while I can.

The plan is Sentry Peak. Just trying to climb it as many times as I can before the bison move in or the gnats start biting. Besides, I just hike Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill and White Rock last Friday.

Along the causeway it's sunny, very little wind and lots of water fowl.

Arriving on the Island I head south. There are 2 bison at the intersection of the south and west roads and there are a few bison near the the Ranger house before the rocky curves.

I spot a Snipe near the pull-out,

and downhill, there are no Burrowing Owls out.

In front of the White Rock/Beacon Hill ridge on the east side of the road, a Curlew lands for a few moments

before taking off the 2 other flying by.

In front of Frary Peak area, I spot a hawk

and a bit farther down a Porcupine.

Near the Pit Toilet, there are 2 Pronghorn moving south.

A bit farther, there's a herd of bison near the road.

They definitely crossed recently as I was a couple of bison cross as I pull up. There are still 2 stragglers on the west side of the road but they are coming.

I arrive at the Ranch. The Sentry Peak trail is clear and I'm not expecting to see any bison today because there are 2 big herds at White Rock yesterday.

I gear up - no jacket today (yea) as it's 41 degrees and sunny - and start up the road to the trail. (Sure hope the road opens before bug season. It's looks like they did make an attempt as grading it. Personally, it look worse to me.)

Just listening to the birds and my foot steps as I make my way to Mushroom Springs. I'm seeing the little pink flowers for the 1st time here!! Hoping to see a White butterfly today!

Soon I'm crossing the switchback and then continuing may uphill. First time hiking this without any snow or ice on the trail!!!

I'm closing in on the ridge when I spot a herd of bison to the north. Quite the happy surprise! Now do they have babies. Sure do!! 

What a radical group of Moms split off from the main herd!

I pass them continuing to climb when I spot more basically on the ridge (i.e., north most part of the trail). Guess I'm going off trail today otherwise I'm going to be gored/trampled. They are already giving me the "stink eye" as I reach the ridge and spot. 

They too have babies and it seems all of the Moms have their tail up.

I cut the trail short and connect to the ridge trail heading south. Beautiful view on the west side!

When I reach Sentry Peak, I look back and they appear to still be watching me and a lot more are standing now.

On the other side of Sentry Peak, I see a Painted Lady!!!

I then continue across the ridge and start downhill.

Soon, I'm back at my car -- no White butterflies. :( But hey, unexpected family herd up close, awesome!!)

I make my way back north, I see a lone Pronghorn on the way back!

Awesome day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dec 25 - Little Dell Reservoir

Image
Merry Christmas! It cold and snowless in SLC.  And even colder in the mountains so I'm going part way to the Reservoir this morning. I have wool, fleece, light winter coat, wool hat and my best gloves and mask. It's not an early start; more like closer to 10 am. I wind up Emigration Canyon this morning. Great view down into the SL valley as the inversion is not strong yet. I crest at the Pass and start going downhill. I'm looking around hoping I spot a deer/elk/moose. I'm about 1/2 way down and I spot some dark in the trees farther down. Fortunate for me, there's a pull-off and I pull in and get out of my car for a look. At first I see nothing but then there's the dark spot. I zoom in with my camera and.... it's Moose!!  Awesome Christmas present! There's no antlers so I'm not sure male/female but it's actively eating.  I watch for a bit before heading down. Not many people out this morning - not unexpected. The water is unfrozen but there's
Read more

Dec 24 - Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

Image
 Sunny w/ a few early clouds with highs in the low 30s. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning. The plan is Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill; bison permitted. It's in the upper 20s when I arrive on the causeway.  It's frosty this morning with a few hawks flying around. But no critters except gull and a few ducks. I arrive on the Island and there are no bison in sight. In fact, I don't see any critters except a lone bison after the pit toilets.  Oh, there was what looked like a Kestrel that some folks were taking a photo of at the rocks near the Frary Peak turn-off. Quiet morning. No bison near Sentry Peak, I so want to hike that. Soon I will; just giving my hip some more time. I turn at the Ranch and start north. Across from that lone bison but far to the west, I see a few blacks dots on the mountain that I'll bet are bison! Then rolling up on the Frary Peak round, there's about 20 pronghorn heading north!!! Yea!! I arrive at the Gravel Pit trail. There's one car alre
Read more

Sept 7 - Catherines Pass and beyond (LCC)

Image
 Sunny day and 88 degrees in the valley but where I'm heading after work is only in the upper 60s - AWESOME! Yes, the 4th annual Albion Basin Camping trip. Well, it'll be only the 3rd time I've gone. Last year is was over 100 degrees so I took a Pass. But today is absolutely perfect! I leave work at 2pm, make quick trip to Walmart for a new lamp; I left the batteries in the old one and they have gone to acid - yuk! Then it's home to pack, Subway for an early (3:30)  supper and off to my campsite #16 for the 3rd time. Love that site because it's right next to the trail from the campground to the Catherine's Pass. I arrive around 4:30 and get my tent setup, I change and start my hike. Still plenty of flowers around but they fading. I'm seeing Paintbrush, Asters, Geraniums etc. I'm also seeing butterflies: Blues, Parnassian, Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Frits. I'm a little surprised because it's so late in the day. Oh, and bees too! It's a be
Read more