Nov 19 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Well the wonderful warm spell we've had came to a crashing end Mon night with temps dropping 30+ degrees and snow all the way to the valley floor - just a dusting but still the 1st snowfall of the season!

But not visiting the mountains today;  heading off to Antelope Island  - White Rock Trail is the hike.

I arrive around 8:30am on the causeway. It's sunny down in Salt Lake but up here, the sun is blocked but high clouds.

The Salt Lake and Farmington Bay sides are dry (totally expected -- hoping for lots of snow to fill them both up come Spring). I can see snow still on Frary Peak but the lower grounds on the island are snow-free.

I finally reach water about 1-2miles from the island. On the Salt Lake side, there are no birds, just some fishermen in a boat. The Farmington Bay side is filled with thousands of birds - Shovelers - I believe.

I arrive on the island and head towards the Ranch. 

There's a small herd of bison not far from the entrance.

I head South. Around the first water bin, I see a hawk flying outside my driver's window (flying along the side of the road). It face is so cute - almost owl-like. It also has a white bar above it's tail and black/white tail feathers. I speed up to get ahead hoping to get a good photo - well, I did get a photo. I believe it's a Northern Harrier.

As I approach Frary Peak, I notice a bunch of cars in the lower lot with people and spotting scopes pointed towards the rocks just to the north. I pass by but I have to see what's going on so I turn around and join the group. I can't see anything in the rocks so I ask a lady who's standing nearby. She informs me that a small group of bison and small herd of buck (male deer) just past thru. The bison have moved off but some of the deer are still in the rocks. Very cool! But I still can't see the deer so I get back in my car and continue down the road.

I pass around the rocks; I can't see any deer but I do see the bison. They've made some progress northward and are heading toward to another bin of water. (The one a small herd of Pronghorn hung out around after this Summer's fire.)

As I near the bin, I notice two deer in the grasses down by Farmington Bay. I stop; it looks like they might be two males antler fighting. They may have been jousting but they are just feeding now.

As I return to my car, I see those bison (who were slowing marching toward the water bin) are now running to the water. Too funny!!

I continue down the road. Soon, there's another small herd of bison on the right. And then I see 3 deer (all doe) down by Farmington Bay. (The day appears to be for the deer!)

I arrive at the Ranch and head down the dirt road towards the Sentry Peak parking. I see a couple more deer on the Ranch grounds. 

I pass the Sentry parking and continue down to the end of the road (for the public). Still looking for Pronghorn or coyote but only find a rather large herd of bison at the gate.

Time to head back so I can get to my hike.

I see those 3 deer again. And the bison are still near the water bin - with one deer still below. As I near the rocks, there are multiple cars parked all looking at one buck (large rack) moving south.

There are still folks at the lower Frary Peak parking looking still looking at the rocks.

I see a few bison up near the White Rock ridge -- maybe I'll see them later on my hike.

I head west across the island towards White Rock trail head - no animals around. As I park at the trail head, there is a small group along the lower part of the trail. I'll be passing them soon.

I start the trail; it's only 43 degrees out but the sun is coming!! Soon I pass those bison. The ones on the right are taking a nap.

While the ones on the left are grazing.

They pay no attention to me as I pass.

A little further up the trail, there's a lone bison about 15 ft off the trail. He too is snoozing. 

Not much going on along the trail - hey, it's mid-Nov that's expected. 

I do spot a Clouded Sulpher flying!

About 1/2 hr later, I arrive at the view of White Rock valley. 

I'm wondering if there are bison on the ridge (I saw a few up here earlier). Well, the answer is yes - and I won't be taking the long trail today because the herd is standing on the trail. It's the short trail again today!

The views from the ridge are good today - not much of an inversion.

As I head along the inner loop, I spot a grasshopper.

A dragonfly

A few blooming flowers.

And a Shrike.

No bison or Pronghorn in the valley though or along this trail.

I head back and eventually reach those bison again. Most are up and grazing.

Time to head home!

When I arrive back at the Causeway, Farmington Bay is so still; it's a mirror.

Wonderful ending to a wonderful day!

Nov 13 - Taylor Creek Trail - Kolob Canyon (the other side of Zion National Park)

Since I've already driven the 3+ miles, I stay the night in Cedar City so I can head to Kolob Canyon on Sunday morning. (It's only about a 20 drive south.)

Kolob Canyon is part of Zion National Park except it's north and west of the main park. I've been here once several years ago in March after a snow storm. Rangers had just opened the curvy road but it was still snowy/icy. I took the drive out to the viewpoint but because of fog, I could see absolutely nothing. So the visit really doesn't count. Today is supposed to be sunny and in the mid-60s so today will count.

My plan is to hike the Taylor Creek trail. The trail is 5 miles round-trip with minimal elevation change. The destination of the hike is a Double Arch Alcove.

Bright sunny morning as I head to Kolob Canyon. I arrive sometime after 9am and start my journey up to curvy road heading uphill.

Just as I roll up on the Taylor Creek parking area, I get my first glimpse of BIG red rock!

My original plan was to go to the final viewpoint (end of the road) first and then hike Taylor Creek on the way out. But after seeing the Red Rock (and only two cars in the parking lot), I quickly park and get ready for the hike.

The landscape is typical sagebrush country - pine, junipers, sagebrush with rock formations of various shapes, sizes, colors (mostly red).

The trail immediately heads down a series of steps thru the pines. Once down, the trail continues along mostly flat ground -- a packed red sand. The ground vegetation is dried/brown/dead as one would expect. Lots of fallen oak leaves on the ground.

The trail follows and crosses Taylor Creek. There's still water flowing; the creek isn't very wide but wide enough that the day will be filled with rock hopping across a rock or two.

The trail is heading towards those big red rock formations. Hard to see them since the sun is directly behind some but they are getting closer.

I wind my way thru the trees and numerous creek crossings (must have been over 20 of them before the end). It extremely quiet except for the flowing stream. I guess the birds aren't quite awake yet as it's still cool and the trail is still very much in the shade.

I do spot a few still blooming flowers along the way. (I can count the number of flowers I saw today on 2 hands so there weren't many.)

The rocks are getting closer.

In one muddy section, I find some mushrooms!

And still closer.

I pass a sign to a historic cabin -- I'll stop on the way back. It's the Larson cabin - circa 1930.

I finally reach the big rock and follow the trail between them.

Soon I pass cabin #2 - the sign says 1930 - Fife Family. Hardy folks because this cabin is really isolated.

After a while the trail gets a bit wilder - more trees, ground vegetation (even horsetails), etc...It also looks like my travels between the big rock is ending soon (it's opening up ahead of me). I must be nearing the end.

I'm seeing Maple trees now. Their leaves have just changed to their yellow colors. (Not sure why everything is in Winter mode except here but it looks pretty.)

Then I see the sign - Double Arch Alcove.

I make my way there. Lots of lime green vegetation along the ground. I can hear the sounds of dripping water down the walls.

I can see the 2nd arch above.

Pretty neat place.

Would love to get a photo of the entire Double Arch Alcove but it's way too close and the walls way too tall.

Time to head back.

Well I have to say that the way back is definitely brighter. The sun hasn't made it over the big walls - probably never does this time of  year.

More people coming now -- glad I came hear first.

I exit the big walls and enter the sunlight.

I'm getting closer to the end and turn to look at those rock formation now - much nicer.

I see a butterfly - a Viceroy I think. But unfortunately it flies the other way so I can't confirm.

Trail complete --- fun time!!

I head up the road the windy road higher and higher. The views of the red rock to the left are really nice. I head up to the viewpoint. (I think the views were better from the road.)

So I head down and stop at a few of the viewpoints.

And its time to head home.

On the way up I-15, I see lots of cattle, a few horse and donkey and the big surprise - a herd of Pronghorn (about 15 of them). They are near and irrigation sprayer (probably hay fields).

Awesome day! Great trip!

Nov 12 - Cedar Breaks National Monument

The unusually long warm Fall continues which is bad for the ski resorts but good for travelling to places that would usually not be accessible. So today I'm driving over 3 hrs to visit Cedar Breaks National Monument near Cedar City in southwestern UT. I've never been there so I'm seizing the opportunity. (And based on the forecast weather for middle/end next week, this should be the last week-end to do this.)

From the pictures I've seen, Cedar Breaks looks a lot like Bryce Canyon - colorful Amphitheater filled with red/white/etc rock formations (fins, hoodoos, etc).

The scenic drive is all above 10,000 ft. The road closes after the first major snowfall - according to the Park's paper, the area receives an average of 15 feet of snow. The paper also indicates that the name Cedar Breaks was given by the Mormon pioneers who mistook the area's juniper trees for Cedars (oops). And "Breaks", well it describes an uninhabitable area with gullies and ravine.

Forecast for today is for partly sunny skies in the mid-60s. Cedar Breaks in up over 10,000 feet so it'll be in the 40s or low 50s - I have plenty of layers.

Time to go -- Off to something excitingly new!!

The drive heads south down I-15. Nothing too exciting on the drive - plenty of cows, a few horses and one herd of sheep.

I get off at Parowan and head east. The road heads right into/thru the park. (The road also heads to Brian Head Ski Resort.) It's a curvy road that climbs for 21 miles thru a forest. At one of those uphill curves I see a deer on the side of the road.

As I slowly pass, I see deer #2. Oh, and deer #3.

After more curves and one of the sharpest hair-pin curve I've ever seen, I pop out of the trees to large high mountain meadows - dry and brown at this point. Its not all bare as there are scattered grouping of trees.

I pass thru the Ski Resort and reach the Pass at 10,700 ft. (It's all downhill now.)

Soon I enter Cedar Breaks.

There's no fee as the park is technically closed for the winter (i.e., no rangers, the Visitor's Center is closed, as are the bathrooms). But the road is still open as is access to the 2 trails and scenic overlooks.

I reach the first overlook (North View @ 10,435 ft). It's cloudy, 43 degrees and so windy (brrr!). But the views are incredible!!

Have to wonder how this a geological formation got here. I just climbed a mountains filled with trees and meadows and then the wonderful colorful canyon. How, why ....? The awesomeness of Mother Nature.

Next stop is the Alpine Pond Trail. The trail is ~2 miles and is a double loop (each is a one-mile loop) - lets say a figure 8. On paper this is an easy hike (elevation gain/loss around 160ft) but that doesn't take into account the thinner air due to the elevation.

 I head out on the lower part of the North Loop. It starts out as a meadow but quickly heads thru the trees. There's one really rocky section to the left but mostly trees. The only flowers I'm seeing are of the dried/dead variety. Many pine cones laying on the ground as well as many dead trees.

I'm not hearing any birds either.

Soon I reach the pond. It's a frozen algae filled pond surrounded by trees.  (Green is good.) I bet it looks so pretty in the summer.

I head uphill to the upper loop but instead of taking it back to my car, I head along the upper part of the other loop (Chessmen Loop). Pretty much the same landscape on this portion of the trail. But I am starting to get peaks at the colorful Breaks off to the right.

I complete the upper section and loop back on the lower section. I quickly stop a bunch of large hoof prints in the dried mud. These are large so it's not Mule Deer (and confirm that after seeing fresh scat); has to be Elk. (This is not Moose territory.)

Well this part of the trail is interesting because there are decent views of the formations below.

Soon I find the only part of this entire Figure 8 that has frost still!

And I see my first squirrel of the day -- such a black tail.

I reach the pond again.

And re-climb the same hill that I did about a 1/2 hour ago - but this time I head back to my car through the trees. There are glimpses of the Break from this portion of the trail especially when I reach the rocky section of the trail that I past before.

Seeing several squirrels running around now.

And I find an actual flower! The very hardy Dandelion (just one)!

I complete the trail (the lower portion of the south (Chessman) trail is the best) and continue down the road.

Next stop is the Chessmen Ridge Overlook (10467ft).

And then Sunset View (10354ft)

I finally make it to the the Ramparts Trail. The trail runs along the rim reaching Spectra Point (10285ft) in one mile and Ramparts Overlook (9952ft) in another mile. So 4 miles roundtrip - about 400 in elevation change. I head off - still in the low 40s and very windy.

The trail runs along the rim (giving me the heebee geebees at times) but the trail has some good width to it - thankfully.

The views are awesome!!

I soon I head up hill to a couple of tanks (perhaps water tanks); this is the highest part of the trail.

I think this a Spectra Point but no,

it's still ahead. I can see the trail on the white rock.

I continue along the trail (which is now downhill and thru the woods -- still with great views). I pop out of the forest to this wonderful almost barren area. There are Bristlecone Pines (one of the oldest living trees).

And I hear (and see) Chickadees flying around.

I follow the path along the rocky area to a viewpoint -- this is Spectra!!

Off to the Ramparts Overlook!

The trail continues downhill. I'm back in the forest now heading down several switchbacks. Soon I start getting some views again for a short period of time.

Before heading back into the woods.

And then the end comes into view. And so did the views from the end!!

More Bristlecones!

Time to gain that elevation back.

I reach the tanks again and start my way back along the rim. The sun is lower now and the Breaks are even more livelier.

Great hike! But time to head for Cedar City.

I continue along the road. It's all downhill and very curvy. Through the forest at first. But then I start heading west on HWY 14 and enter big rock/canyon country. First there were the white rocks (with grey), then formations that looked like colorful petrified sundunes (mostly yellow-ish), then white cliffs and then the red rocks. Such a wonderful drive!!

Fabulous day!