Jan 24 - Dog Lake (oops) to Solitude Nordic Center

Learned my first winter mountain outing lesson today -- always take the snow shoes! We haven't had snow in 3 weeks -- the trail gets lots of use, so I figured it would be pretty packed (even a UT native told me I shouldn't need the shoes).....

Well I decide to get to Dog Lake today (no blisters, please). Sunny day -- driving down Big Cottonwood Canyon, there's lots of brown (not white snow or even dirty snow) especially on the south facing slopes. And that's not surprising, no snow for 3 weeks, temps in the 30s, sunny and just overall lack of snow all winter (there's only one ski resort reporting a 60in base, all are less). I'm figuring I was smart to not bring the snowshoes.

Start the trail, hardpacked -- perfect. Its an uphill climb, moving right along, get through the cabins (about 1/4-1/2mile in)... and the trail is not hard-packed anymore. :( Just crusty; I can walk along the top and then sink into the snow -- its not too deep here (a few inches) but not something I'm interested in doing for another 6miles. So I'm abandoning this hike (and lesson learned) :).

Since I'm almost to the end of the canyon anyway, I decide to go to the Nordic Center. Only a few people in the parking lot and guess what, I rent snowshoes (always bring the shoes!!!) and hit their trails.

Start going left (clockwise) around Silver Lake. The lake is covered by snow and its totally flat and perfectly untouched except in only a couple spots where a small animals ventured onto the lake. There are mountains behind the lake. (Last year there were skiiers in those mountains but no one today -- though its a workday....)

On my way around the lake, I meet a group of retirees finishing up there snowshoe adventure. Very friendly folks -- one had a penguin ski hat which was really cute.

I get 1/2 way around the lake and take the Cabin Loop Trail. Its more wooded now --- lots of small animals tracks --- I was hoping for some moose tracks but I'm sure they're down in the lower elevations.

I weave my way through the summer cabins and hook up with the Creek Bottom Trail --- this trail heads downhill towards the Solitude Village. Now I'm really in the woods -- can't see or hear any other snowshoers/X-country skiiers. Just me following the trail (and the purple trail markers) through some heavy woods.

I'm seeing lots (and hearing lots) of squirrels. And I'm also seeing what their eating this winter as there are piles of torn apart Douglas Fir Pine Cones. Just the scales, no seeds. Lots of piles!

I see one squirrel sun-bathing in a branch.

Lots of cool shadows in here.

And the birds are chirping. I hear a woodpecker but I just can't find him.

The trail comes out to a road (or wide trail). There a picnic bench and electrical wires over the trail. I must be almost to the village so its time to turn back and start the uphill journey and backtrack  to the Silver Lake Trail.

I see the woodpecker on the way back. And some chickadees.

Thought about heading down the Solitude Trail/Redman Loop but my feet were getting cold so its time to head for Center.

I wasn't the Dog Lake hike but it was a fun 2 hours!

Jan 11 - Coyote Day (at Antelope Island)

Well we finally got some snow (probably been several weeks now)...actually 3 storms dumping a couple of feet or more in the mountains -- only several inches in SLC and the storms FINALLY cleared out the inversion (and the air quality). Now I can see (and breathe) again.

The Oquirrh Mountains look awesome this morning -- all snowy white. I'm heading to Antelope Island basically because its supposed to be near 50 today AND I can see distances.

Lots of folks on the highway this morning -- not sure where everyone is going (perhaps a little cabin fever relief from the 3 days of snow) but the cops are out. Seen 3 cars pulled over on the way to Antelope Island (luckily not me).

Perfectly clear day, its just the sun is having a little trouble coming out this morning - I know there's another storm coming in but I thought it was this evening (keeping fingers crossed).

I get to the causeway and I can see Frary Peak (and the other Antelope Island Mts), the Wasatch (to the east), the mountains to the north and Stansbury Island mts. The lake to the south is white and frozen, the water to the north is frozen for the first few miles and opens up with little chunks of ice in the water (and this smells like salt water). The mt to the north is reflecting wonderfully off the water only interrupted by the ice chunks.

At the only ice-free spot on the south side, there are hundreds of little black ducks. Most are pressed against the ice edge but the others just swimming around.

As usual, I start heading down the east side to the Ranch. There's more snow than I expected --- I know we got several inches but its been warm the last few days (almost 40) so most of what we got has melted (in the valley anyway). Scanning for any signs of animals.

Not much happening just wonderful views of snowy mountains to the east and Frary Peak to the south.

Finally, I see that there is a car pulled off and I quickly see a medium sized dark animal moving along the ground. I'm thinking groundhog -- but when I get out of my car, its a porcupine!!!

This is the 1st one I've ever seen in the US. He's just moving through the snow and soon disappears into the vegetation. Great start!

A little further down the road, I see a coyote on the ice. And he's running --- nope there are 2 coyotes!!! Jogging, trotting, stopping, looking --- still wonder why they're on the ice, there must be something they eat out there.

I get to the ranch without seeing a deer, pronghorn or bison -- pretty strange -- I think its a 1st for me. Mr DNR is there and escorts me to where the Great Horned Owls are sitting. The large female is in an upper branch almost perfectly camouflaged --- all I can see is her feathers. The smaller male is sitting one branch below. He's looking around and when I get under his branch, he looks right at me. I try to get a good angle for a photo but there are way too many branches in the way. (But I take pictures anyway.)

The mountains south of the ranch look really pretty today.

Time to head over to Bison Point on the west side of the island. And I'm looking for the 2 coyotes. And sure enough they were still on the ice but now with a 3rd coyote!!

When I first see them, one is laying down and the other two are standing right by her. Then they all start walking to the north. After a short while, and a little scent marking, the one coyote lays down and the other 2 continue along the ice until they spot in a little patch of vegetation. Not sure what happened next as I got back in my car and continued to drive.

My next stop is Bison Point --- with a lot of the snow melted, my plan was to climb to the top but the sun is pretty much covered by the darker clouds that are rolling in. But I do go about 1/2 way up for a great view of White Rock Bay.

I head over to the White Rock Bay trailhead and decide to just walk the trail along the water to the beach. I'll do the entire loop if I see animals in the valley. But there isn't even the old bison at the trailhead. They all most have moved into the valleys when the storms came through.

There are a few people on the trail  as I see 3 horseback riders going up the hill. Had about every trail condition on the walk: snowpack, dirt, ice, mud so it was quite a little adventure. But it was very quiet.

White Rock was clearly visible as were the mountains in back. The water had a yellowish color possibly because of the hidden sun sneaking through. I keep scanning for any movement but all was quiet until I saw yet another coyote trotting along the ice on White Rock Bay (that's #4 today). He's was heading north along the ice (the opposite direction that I was going).

When I got around the mountain into the valley, there were 5 bison (finally)! Three were standing and 2 were laying chewing cud (I saw their mouths moving). I continue along the trail.

A little while later I heard something so I stopped. I heard this choir of coyotes yipping/yapping, howling and make other vocalizations that I don't even know how to describe. But I stood still and just listened as it went on for a minute or so. Once it stopped, a different pack of coyotes started similar vocalizations (but louder and to the right of the other coyotes), when they were done, the original pack started up again --- I actually thought I heard another single coyote responding too - he was further to the east! Fantastic! I've never heard anything like it -- and then it was quiet again.

I walked to the bench and turned around and started back. I was hoping to see the horseback riders but I don't know where they went.

As I rounded the mountain on the last stretch back to my car I see 2 bison --- I'm a little stunned as I don't know where they came from OR how I missed them. But as I continue to walk I realize that they are behind a berm which coming from parking area,  they are invisible --- whew! I thought I wasn't paying attention on the way out.

Saw just one other bison behind the visitors center as I exited.

Porcupine, owls, bison and lots of coyotes --- great day!

Jan 4 - Olympics

Well, since I can't go to the upcoming Olympics, I might as well take advantage of the US Olympics Trials that are being held in SLC (and the surrounding communities).

Last week, Park City held the Ski Jump Trials. From what I read in the newspaper, more than 5000 folks attended -- overwhelmed the available parking, but people parked over a mile away and trekked up the mountain to see the event. Park City's own Jessica Jerome will represent the US.

At the same time, the Nordic Trials were being held in Heber UT.

This week are the speed skating trials. The Long Track trials were held earlier this week at the Olympic Oval in Kearns. Unfortunately, I had to work and missed them. But Thurs, the short track trials began. I watched the 1500m on Friday at home but am lucky enough to attend the fast-n-furious 500m today!!

The doors opened at 9am and when I got there a little after 9 (could've got there faster but we had an unexpected 2in of snow last night and the roads weren't the prettiest), the  parking lot was about full. I got inside and walked to get my seat (its all general admission). I placed my coat down dead center ice 8 rows up on the starting line (only 2 rows above me and they all had blankets covering the bleachers - reserving them).

Then I went to check out the stadium -- nothing too exciting but what was cool is the fact that the athletes were out on the track (surrounding the ice) warming up --- jogging, stretching, doing exercises with their coaches. I walked among world-class athletes today -- even moving out of their way :) Didn't talk to them because I know the pre-game warmup routine can be sacred to an athlete and today, was a day these athletes worked for many, many years - I'm not breaking the Mojo.

The day was divided into semis/quarters/finals (in A, B, C, D groups --- the groups are based on who won the heats and times). And then it was repeated again in the afternoon. So basically, each skater skates 6 times. They get points for finishing and placement. Can't say I understand it -- but at the end of the day, I know who (man and woman) will be skating the 500m for the US - the rest of the points determine who else makes the team. The US is taking 5 men and only 3 women (the women's relay team got disqualified in the World Championships which means no Olympics relay for them).

The races were amazing. This wasn't the very slow pace and jockeying that's usually the Olympics in this event -- these athletes were travelling fast!! (Thought I heard someone say 35-40mph!) And powerfully!

The amazing passes got "ooohs" and "cheers" from the crowd. And the crashes (yes, there were a few) and slips got loud moans. Thank goodness there's a heavily padded wall to slide into --- but those athletes were visibly stunned afterwards.

At the start, they asked everyone to be quiet so the athletes can hear the gun.

And the quiet allowed the sounds of the blades digging into the ice (and clanging) at the start to be clearly heard. After the gun, we could make all the noise we wanted -- noise makers were tossed out into the stands for the lucky few that could catch one (and I did catch one-wee).

JR Celski (he was a bronze medal winner in Vancouver) just blew the field away -- did the same yesterday's in the 1500m. Eddy Alvarez (definitely a crowd favorite) did really well too in fact he clinched a spot (along with JR) on the Olympic Team today.

The women were dominated by Jessica Smith and Emily Scott. Jessica won both finals followed by Emily Scott literally right on her hit (think they finished the same in the 1500m yesterday). Both have secured a spot on the team. Alyson Dudek and Sarah Chen (18yrs old) also made both finals.
(I actually had Sarah's coach and family behind me - 17yr old sister Jaqueline also skated today. Sarah is still fighting for that 3 women's spot and needs to beat Alyson on Sunday to make the team --- otherwise, its training for 2018).

It was a fun day (packed house) -- kinda hard to root for someone -- I guess I was rooting for the top qualifier -- since they have the best shot at the medal (and they were easy to find as they were wearing red helmets). But I was rooting for all of them as they made huge life commitments to this sport for this one moment in time.

Go USA!!