Once again I thought about going into the mountains - close to an 80in base -- can't even image that much snow. The mountains were my plan under 2 people got caught up in an avalanche yesterday; one didn't survive. Pretty scary stuff so decided to go to my safe place: Antelope Island. (The snow will be in the mountains for quite a while and the Avalanche danger will eventually go down.)
The sun is out today but having trouble burning through the clouds this morning.
When I arrive on the causeway, lots of snow has melted over the last few days. There's still ice on the water and a little snow on the lake beds but in spots, the lake bed is visible.
I see a couple of Kestrels flying as I make my way across the causeway.
Then, in the totally white background on Farmington Bay, a large black form on the ice catches my eye. It's in the distance but I stop for a look. There's also another black form a little further out past the first.
I take out my binocs and it's a Bald Eagle sitting on the ice!
The form further away, it's yet another Bald Eagle along with 2 black birds on the ice.
Maybe one or even both just ate but they were so far in the distance, it was really hard to tell.
Continuing along the causeway, the gulls are back!
And the Shovelers are still swimming.
Just past the ducks on the Salt Lake side, there's the 3rd Bald Eagle sitting on the ice. He is much closer to the road and is surrounded by feathers. He's definitely had duck for breakfast!
I turn left and head south towards the Ranch. I immediately see at least 7 bison off to the right -- I think they were in the same spot a few days ago.
Looking for animals but only see hawk. He flying very slowly not too far off the ground looking for a tasty morsel. He soon perches in a tree.
Just past Frary Peak, finally some animals -- a big herd of bison. Again, I think I saw these guys in the same spot few days ago.
As I get close to the ranch, there's another large herd of bison (same spot). Seems like the antelope have moved on since most of the snow has melted but the bison have decided not to move.
I park and start my walk. The snow covered road that was a few days ago is now just wet dirt. There's still tracks in the mud - mostly bison (probably from this herd across from the Ranch) - but I also see coyote and pronghorn.
There's 3 parts to this Ranch bison herd. The large main part, a smaller herd of about 10 just north of Mushroom Springs, and another herd of about 20 just to the south of Mushrooms Springs.
The herd to the north of Mushroom Spring is about 75 yards off the trail (a safe distance). As I near the Mushroom Springs herd, I'm being watched closely by one bison; then another stands up and turns to watch me;
and then the third stands.
Definitely looks so much different today -- and it's much easier walking. But I know at some point a little higher up I'll be back in the snow.
From Mushroom Springs, it's a long straight section until the climb begins. Still following the bison tracks and closing in on the 3rd part of the herd. They are on a ridge just south of where the uphill begins. The herd is actually larger than it looked below.
As I'm passing the bison, I hear a coyote howl south me. I stop to listen. I hear another howl directly across from the first; then a really faint howl to the north. This repeats several time and then it's silent. I continue on.
There are now some patches of snow along the trail but I don't reach a snow-covered trail until I get to the long switchback (my stopping point a few days ago). A bunch of snow has definitely melted but there's still a good 3-4 inches. Hard packed so its not bad walking but still slower than walking on dirt.
After getting down the long stretch, its a return to the uphill walking. At this point, there's just a few coyote tracks in the snow.
I reach the loop trail around Sentry Peak. The snow is untouched (i.e., no footprints: animal or human). I get to be a Trailblazer today!!
I head up the right side (going counter-clockwise) as I normally do. The snow is deeper here and "softer". Definitely blown snow; forms nice little patterns. Walking is much slower - my calves are feeling this work-out!
I finally get to the ridge and can see out to the west - definitely worth the trip!!
I make my way to the picnic table (it's lunch time).
The inversion is much thicker to the west of the island but what a nice view!
I eat my sandwich standing on the table soaking in the sun (and scouting for animals). I do see a good size herd of bison far down the slope.
The trail across the ridge is snow covered but I can't easily make it out. But today, I'm content with making it to the ridge so I'm just heading back the way I came.
On the way back down, considering my tracks are the first ones up here, I'm really surprised to see a lady heading up. A little further down, there's a man also heading up. Guess we were all waiting for "some" of the snow to melt.
Just before reaching Mushrooms Springs, there's a flock of birds eating the seeds of the dry flower stalks.
I'm heading towards the Ranch when I see 2 deer feeding. As I get closer, I see another near the treeline. Still closer, there is actually 4 deer plus the one in the treeline. I'm pretty sure that deer don't have fawns in the Fall but the one deer does look much smaller than the rest - interesting.
On the way back towards the causeway, I only see one porcupine -- I guess after being seemingly stuck in the same trees for weeks, they've taken off (like antelope) for "greener pastures".
My parting shot of the day is a bird of prey looking for a meal along the causeway.
Fun day as always!
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