Today I'm going hiking but after the snow last night (which was unexpected) I'm not sure whether to go up into the mountains (Big Cottonwood is the choice as it got only 5 inches; Little Cottonwood got about a foot) or head to Antelope Island. It's a perfect day; partly sunny and mid-30s.
In my gut I know the choice should've been Antelope Island (no snow to deal with) but I really want to head into mountains so I went.
The road is wet; the canyon is gorgeous with snow covering everything. My problem is the parking areas weren't plowed and I spin tires just getting in one; it is sadly time to head back down as I don't want to get stuck. :( (I need to be patient a little longer.)
Oh well, I'll just head into the mountain area near Park City; specifically I'll just walk/snowshoe the unmaintained dirt road out to the Mormon Trail. I've driven that road a lot; now I'll get a closer look at this wonderful ranch land.
The road is plowed but snow covered. Everything is white -- the road, the hills, even the sky (it's only partly sunny) -- and quite beautiful.
On the sides of the road, the plows have left drifts close to 4ft high. I climb a top many times along the way down the road to see what's on the other side. Mostly, it's a stream winding thru the valley that I'm really interested in. The stream is ice free today.
And has lovely igloo reflections in spots.
I see ducks swimming. There's a bunch of Mallards
and a few Common Goldeneye.
It's really quiet out.
I'm looking for Elk, deer or moose but not finding any tracks (except dog).
The stream crosses to the other side of the road and continues winding thru the landscape.
My plan is to only walk about 2 miles (I think) to a little area close to the stream with a lot trees.
When I get there, I can here the calls of Chickadees and actually see a few.
I continue just a bit further before turning around.
Not too far from where I saw the Chickadees, I see a Belted Kingfisher on a branch overlooking the stream.
I also meet another walker and his dog. He asks me if I see the two female deer above on the hill and tries to explain where they are. I look and I can't see them. I even walk down the road a bit further (several times) to get a different angle but I never see them. I take several photos hoping maybe I'll spot them on the photo when I get home.
He also tells me that his dog scared up a yearling elk (no Mom) and I should keep an eye for it. You bet! I've never seen a UT elk; that would be so cool!
I continue along the road and finally along a windy bend of the creek under a tree is an Elk!!! Yea!
He's standing right next to the creek and I startled him when I climb up the snowdrift to get a better view. He knows I'm there -- how can he miss me I have on an orange fleece. Probably thinks I'm hunter (which may be why his Mom is not around).
After a bit, he slowly wades into the stream,
looks around before coming back on shore.
I continue down the road to get a different angle on him. As I peek over the snowdrift, he's looking in my direction.
I decide to give him some peace so I continue along until I hear barking. I turn to see the Elk crossing the stream and dog running/barking/heading towards the stream. Fortunately the dog stops at the bank not willing to cross the stream. The elk is still in the water; there a huge drift to climb to get out of the water on that end. Its a standoff for about a minute before I hear the owner whistle and the dog comes bounding back.
I continue on leaving the poor elk standing in the water against a big pile of snow.
I'm just about back to my car when I see another Kingfisher!
Well I finally got into the mountains (even though it was a backup plan), saw a couple of Kingfishers and my first UT elk. Awesome day!
(And my photos of the hill; there were no deer. I saw tracks. Guess I was just looking in the wrong spot.)
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