Dec 5 - Gravel Pit - Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs near 50 in the valley. Taking my final vacation day of the year off to head up to Antelope Island for a quick hike. The plan is to hike the Gravel Pit but it depends on where the bison are.

Arrive on the Causeway with the sun still rising of the mountains. Very damp and a good amount of water on both sides of the road thanks to the Fri/Sat/Sun snow/rain combo storm. (It dumped around 50 inches of snow at Alta & Snowbird.)

I pass a Kestrel on my way across.

At some point, I spot something white and old on the Salt Lake side. Hey! That's 2 adult Bald Eagles!! Seems a bit early and a bit warm for them to be here already but hey, that's awesome!! (On further review of the photo, in the background are Tundra Swans -- way cool! I thought they were sea gulls!)

Still only a few duck along the causeway.

The water is flat (great reflections) and the wind non-existent. Perfect day.

As I approach the Island, I see that there are bison behind the VC. And sure enough when I get there, there's a group all laying down.

I continue south towards the Ranch.

Good, there doesn't look to be bison near the Gravel Pit trailhead or on the ridges!

I see no critters until I approach the pit toilets. There is a good sized herd split into 2 smaller herd along the slopes maybe 100 yards apart.

I arrive at the Ranch, I see nothing so I turn around and head back north.

I'm passing again in front of Frary Peak when I slow down for a guy w/ camera along the edge of the road. I look and Holy Cow! there's a herd of 5-6 doe and a big buck behind them!!!

How did I miss them on my way south. Maybe it was the sun in my eyes and maybe they weren't visible because they are moving and quickly grazing south. Awesome!!!

Continuing on, I spot 2 bison high on the ridge above the Frary Peak pit toilet. I'll look for them when I get atop Beacon Hill.

I make my way to the trail head. I'm the only one here - yea!

They added bunches of archery stations - sure hope that people are good shots - eek!

I start up the trail and am soon up the hill and walking south. I'm hoping to find no bison along the trail and yea! no bison along the trail. However, I do see bison in the distance but they will not impact my walk.

I also notice several fishing boats to the west on the Salt Lake. Brine Shrimp fishing is my guess.

Along the way I find 3 composite plants with flowers still holding on - hardy species.

Soon I pass the bison and I am at the intersection with the White Rock Trail. As I start around Beacon Hill, I find more bison west of the trail. 

There are also tons of black birds swarming around the bison -- it's looks so cool!

As I approach there are more coming up from White Rock Basin. I give them one last look before continuing up Beacon Hill.

No critters on my way to the viewpoint - which has a wonderful view today.

I spot those 2 bison on the ridge. They've actually backed off and are on the White Rock trail now and there are 4 of them.

I take a short break to enjoy the view and the sound of the wind. 

I'd like to stay longer but I'm worried about getting traps by those bison so I start down.

And it's a good thing but there are pretty close to the trail now and still coming. I'm getting stared down as I approach. 

Time for a little off roading on the mesa to give them some room. Back on the trail, it's a nice walk back to my car.

Along the causeway, the Bald Eagles are gone but I see 2 Kestrels on my drive out.

Awesome day!