Dec 4 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading to Antelope Island this morning - it's cold (mid-20s) but the sun is out so why not!

My plan is to hike the Sentry Trail but as I get further north, there are lots of clouds north and east of the island. Hoping they keeping pushing east.

But as I arrive on the island, it's mostly cloudly now. The sun is trying to show thru but not being very successful.

Not much snow along the causeway but the island's peaks have a thin layer of snow on them. Looks nice.

When I finally reach the water on Farmington Bay, it's frozen. Just one small pocket of open water where there are 20-30 ducks and a boat. I've never seen a boat in the Bay before. Curious. The Wasatch Mts look awesome all snow-covered.

The Salt Lake side is open water as one would expect. No ducks on this side only a few shorebirds.

And there is a guy fishing.

As I arrive on the island, I see a few bison behind the Visitor's Center on the far north side of the island. They appear to be near the road but I'm making a left turn and heading south towards the Ranch.

As I head south, I see only a lone bison against the skyline.

But as I make the final left towards the Ranch, I find a huge herd of Pronghorn. They are hard to count as they are on a hill sloping down toward the Bay but there has to be 40-50 animals. Some are grazing but some of sitting down. Pretty cool to see so many of them in one spot.

I continue down the island.

I make a pit stop at the Frary Peak turn-off. As I get out of the  car, there's something that catches my eye on the slopes but since no one in the parking lot seems to be looking at them, I figure they are just odd rocks or something. But as I get back in my car, I have to take a look. I zoom in and yes, they are a small herd of Mule Deer (looks like all doe - nope there's at least one male).

Continuing on, I'm seeing no other animals - I'm not sure where all the bison all.

I finally find the bison several miles farther down the road about 1 mile before the Ranch. It's a good size herd grazing/resting along the fire line (fresh growth vs old growth).

I arrive at the Ranch. The road to the Sentry Trail parking is closed for the winter. (The hike gets a mile longer today.) I park and start down the dirt road. Behind the Ranch, there's another herd of deer (all doe). I count 11 but there may be more than the one I counted in the trees.

I continue to the trail head and then start making my way to Mushroom Springs. It's a little chilly; somehow 30 degrees with sun is so much warmer than no sun - so Mushroom Springs is my destination today.

Very quiet out. No animals to be seen other than that rock that looks like a sitting coyote.

I stop at the Springs pond which is frozen this morning for a look at a snowy Sentry Peak.

Time to turn around. On the way back to  my car, I only spot 1 deer behind the Ranch. The rest I saw earlier must be in the trees.

As I drive back up the island. I pass that herd of bison. The herd of deer near Frary Peak have moved lower down the hill. Much more easily seen now.

The large herd of Pronghorn have not moved.

I head to the west side of the island towards Bison Point. I find another large herd of bison along the way.

And many small (4-6 animal) herds scattered a bout. The bison are liking the west side today.

I drive up to the Bison Point parking only for the cloudy view of White Rock Bay.

I head down and over to the beach. I'm driving along a field of sagebrush searching for more deer. However, I find something better, a coyote!! He's trotting along the edge of the sagebrush. I get a very short decent view of him before he disappears in the taller grass. (I've seen the Antelope Island Big 4 today - bison, pronghorn, deer, and coyote!!)

I make a brief stop at the Visitor's Center for a chance at seeing the Badger that hangs around there. (The State Park people have posted photos of it a couple of times this Fall.) I do find it's burrow holes but the badger is not out today.)

I leave and head around the north side of the island. I find that group of 4 bison I saw when I arrived on the island; they are still behind the Center. Oh, and there's another small group just below them on the other side of the road. These guys are bedded down - they are hard to see.

Back on the causeway, I stop to check out those ducks. Well, they are not real duck; they are decoys. I find this out because a guy pops up in the boat and starts shooting at a flying duck. That was scary! I've never seen anyone hunting that close to the island - seems a bit dangerous to be firing a rifle when there are people driving very nearby. Kinda scary.

Great day!

Dec 2 - Temple Square Christmas Lights

Headed out to Temple Square tonight with my nephew to enjoy the Christmas lights/displays.

There are several manager scenes representing cultures around the world.

Plenty of lights.

And of course, the traditional manager scene. (I found it this year!!)

Beautiful evening!!

Dec 2 - Cardiff Fork (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Well the snow has finally arrived - actually it came the week of Thanksgiving - by the loads in the mountains (close to 4 ft I believe). So today, it's time to head up and enjoy some of it.

Walking up to the Cardiff Fork meadow (around 1 - 1.5 miles). Figuring most of the snow should be packed down by snowshoes and x-country skis but now, so I'm just wearing my boots.

Sunny morning and crisp - 19 degrees at the trail head (~7200 ft).

I cross the little bridge (and a small stream). The stream is open with lovely views on the west side.

And east side.

I head up the plowed, but still snow covered road. In the summer, this road is open to cars but now, only local residents can get thru. It adds about 1 miles round-trip to the the hike.

There were flurries yesterday that didn't stick in the valley but they did here covering the branching and dead plant stalks/seed heads with about a 1/2 inch of snow. Extremely pretty! Especially as the snow falls from the trees in the breeze.

Mt Reynolds is looking lovely this morning.

I arrive at the actual trail head. As expected, the snow is packed from the skis. But it is still soft in spots making walking a little more difficult than clear ground.

I cross the creek.

And then start heading up the hill thru the conifer forest.

The creek that winds alongside the trail is invisible - covered in snow. I actually can not even hear it except in one spot where it is visible only for a moment.

I can hear birds chirping this morning. There at least some Chickadees. But I do not see them.

Soon I can see an opening coming -- it's the meadow!

As I continue further to get some better views, there are mini snowballs that have rolls down the steep mountain side.

I step off the packed snow a few times to take some pictures - there's about 18 inches of light fluffy snow off the beaten path.

Boy do I love this place in the winter!!

There's a couple of snow trails coming down from the mountains to the east to the creek. Think those are deer/moose trails.

After a bit, it's time to start back down.

Wonderful day!

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!