Oct 19 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with temps only in the mid-50s. It's finally feeling like Fall.

Heading up to Antelope Island to hike the Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill trail.

In the 40s when I start crossing the causeway. There is a noticeable decrease in the waterfowl population. I guess the big storm that dropped temps from the low 80s to 50s might be the reason. But there are ducks and lots of gulls.

About 1/2 down the causeway I notice something interesting on the Salt Lake bed. Hey! It's a coyote! He was stopped but now moving east. Awesome!

I reach the Island - no bison behind the VC today.

I head down towards the Ranch.

I do find a small herd of bison on the lake bed just before the Frary Peak turn-off.

And then nothing until I'm at the south end of the large lakeside meadow. There are bison there and they are a little stretched out towards the Ranch but it is not big herd.

Looks like the huge herds have broken up or they moved south or west.

I turn around at the Ranch and head back north. 

I spot a very small herd of bison a little up the mountains.

And then, another herd north of the Frary Peak road. So, there is a herd west of the herd on lake bed.

I arrive at the Gravel Pit TH. Only 1 other car in the lot. I gear up w/ a light winter coat as the wind is pretty bad today and temps in the 40s... It's actually OK in the pit, sorry I wore the coat but I'm waiting until I reach the ridge.

Hey, it's OK up here so off goes the jacket - probably going to need it on the way back as the wind will be at my face.

I start south down trail. All the flowers are pretty gone now. I see a few dragonflies. And there are no bison in sight.

Very quiet walk to Beacon Hill.

As I start up Beacon Hill, I find the large herd of bison. They are down in the White Rock meadow now.

Soon I'm at the view point on Beacon Hill.

Too windy to a long break. And yes, the jacket is back on as I start my back.

On the way down Beacon Hill, I think I see a very small herd down at the base of Elephant Rock too.

I'm moving right along the trail not expecting any surprises when I round a corner and there are 2 bison just east of the trail. Wow! Where did they come from?


Thankfully they are far enough away from the trail but it is a little excitement. They are both eating but one eventually begins watching me as I pass. He looks away and the other starts watching. No tails up so they were OK with me.

Also, there are a few bison in the corrals. Not sure why they are there; the round-up is in a few weeks. Maybe the Park bought some new females to increase the genetic pool and are holding them for now. I'll never know why but it's interesting.

Soon I'm back at my car and heading back along the causeway. 

I see a Kestrel perched on my ride out.

On the drive home, I spot a coyote about 1.5 - 2miles before the I-15/Legacy interchange. Exciting!

Awesome day!


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