Oct 6 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day with a high of 80 degrees.

Heading to Antelope Island for hike since the temps will be in the low 50s when I arrive.

Arrive around 8am. Lots of folks pulled off along the causeway. Some are birding watching; we are in the middle of migration season. The others I have to assume are hunting duck, maybe deer. Most I've ever seen to be honest.

No coyotes today; just lots of waterfowl.

I arrive on the Island and head south towards the Ranch. The goal is to hike Sentry Peak.

Pass by some bison at the split after the VC. And a barely visible Pronghorn.

There's a large herd after the first pull-off. Many are in the sagebrush. (Maybe these are the ones from last week.)

More bison heading south just before the Frary Peak turn-off.

And another big herd across from Frary Peak and stretching south.

Coming upon the pit toilets I spot 4 doe marching south. 

There's actually a 5th one but she's hanging way back of the others for some reason.

Arriving at the Ranch, there are no bison in sight. I'm good for a hike so I head for the TH parking, gear up and start up the trail. Amazing morning as the temps are cool'sh.

I reach Mushroom Springs and start south. I stop an animal my guess it Pronghorn or Deer in the distance. It runs into a valley. I think it's a Pronghorn/Deer because I saw big ears and it seemed larger than a coyote. As I get nearer/higher I keep looking for it but never find any signs of it. Hmmm!

Quiet walk - only a few dragonflies, a Clouded Sulphur and what I think is a Painted Lady. Oh, and a tiny lizard. Saw a couple of them today.

And Scrub Jays.

Before I know I reach the ridge!!

It's so beautiful!

There are several boats in the Salt Lake; including some krill boats. 

I do not see any animals around.

I take a quick rest at the picnic table and then continue across the ridge. Nice cool breeze up here; it feels so nice after the climb.

I reach the other end and start heading downhill. 

Spotting another Painted Lady before actually starting down.

AND I scare a small flock of Chukkars from under the plant the Painted Lady had landed on.

Before long I'm done with the downhill and heading to my car. (Only see one other couple on my way down and there's no one in the parking lot.)

On the drive up, the only movement is the bison downhill of the 1st pull-off have moved out of the sagebrush and into the large meadow nearer the lake bed. There is one bison at the water bin.

Great day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 23 - Silver Lake (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with highs near 90s. No hikes today; just a simple walk around Silver Lake due to having stitches in my knee. They say I can hike but wanted to do an easy test run first. Left around 6:30. Saw a lone deer on the side of the road on the way up. Arrived at the parking lot and it was around 58 degrees and still in the shade. Not many cars or people around today. Started my trip around the lake counter-clockwise. No moose to be seen as of yet. Not really much happening. Stop to watch 3 ducks next to the footbridge. Stop at the pier for a look-see. Stopped at the dock on the other side (perhaps for the 1st time since they rebuilt it). And crossed the wetland with yellow monkeyflowers in bloom. But the trail is then closed. Unfortunately they've still not finished this 2 or maybe 3 year project. I do spot a shorebird. I was excited but it flew as quickly as it landed in front of me. Beavers unfortunately absent. They've been very visible the last 2 years but they were rebu...
Read more

May 11 - Lambs Canyon

Image
 Partly sunny with temps around 60 degrees as I start up Lambs Canyon. Hoping for  good butterfly day after the foot+ of snow over the week-end; lots of wet spots for puddling. The start of the walk was sunny but as I got higher (and to the muddy spots), I fell under a cloud (boo). I did see Painted Lady, Rocky Duskywing, Mourning Cloak, Anise Swallowtail, Satyr Comma, and Spring Azure and a White that was not an Orangetip; perhaps a Large Marble. Also a moth I did see a blooming Arrowleaf Balsamroot  in addition to the Forget-me-knots and Virginia Waterleaf And 2 squirrels. I was going to loiter at the trail head but there were two locals there working on a truck and I didn't want to look like I was waiting to pillage their cars so I started down and back into the sun. Still a good day.
Read more

June 14 - Lambs Canyon

Image
Another sunny day with temps in the mid-90s. Heading to Lambs Canyon to hike to the top today for this 1st time this year. Near 70s when I leave Salt Lake. There's a lot of clouds around so that will keep things cooler at least at the beginning. I arrive and surprised to find 2 cars already in the lot. I gear up and start up the trail. Arnica, Solomon's Seal, Bluebells, Strawberries, Violets, Mitrewort and Geraniums in bloom. The Thimbleberry are budding and there are some in bloom. It's a beautiful morning! Upper switchbacks have Larkspur in bloom. Along the way in the shade I find a Western Tailed Blue waiting for the morning sun. Surprise find: Baneberry in bloom!! The entry into the meadow is far less muddy than last time. I continue pass and cross to the other side of the canyon.  Soon I cross again finding Spring Beauties in bloom. I get a little ways but feel like a bathroom stop is needed. Do I believe or not? I decide to head down and it was the correct decision ma...
Read more