April 27 - Little Cottonwood Trail (let it snow, let it snow, let it snow)

A good soaking rain yesterday and mid-40 degree highs brought snow to the mountains' higher elevations (5500+ ft). But even though is about 44 and cloudy this morning I'm headed out to the Little Cottonwood Trail this morning -- maybe I'll run into some snow at the end of the trail.

Lots of folks headed up to the Alta Ski resort this morning - I believe its the only resort still open - there's fresh powder to ski!

I'm thinking I'll have to park in the upper lot again (last time the main lot was still closed) but as I pass by, the lot is open. Unfortunately, I'm in a long line of cars and a quick stop/turn could cause an accident. I'll just follow my original plan.

Its cloudy in the valley but I can tell its still snowing in the upper elevations. As I continue to climb, there's fresh snowfall on the trees and ground (none on the road). Get to the parking area, the small lot is full -- now if people wouldn't leave a 1/2 car width when parking next to another car, there would be room for me and at least one other car. Oh well, I'll just go back down and park in the main lot. It also has some advantages 1) I get the uphill first 2) I get a longer hike 3) I can check out the flowers at the lower elevation.

Well it was 38 degrees at the upper lot, it 44 down here. I get my gear and start up the hill. There is some flower life down here -- blue larkspur and

the yellow Oregon grape is blooming.

There are no river sounds down here, just a dry river bed. I get above the electrical plant and now there's water flowing. Much more than a few weeks back but still far from the peak. The water is loud enough to drown out most of the car noises from the road above.

Its snowing now -- not very hard, just a very light flurry (better than a light drizzle when its barely above 40).

It see some Solomon's Seal; it does have buds but no flowers yet.

As I climb higher, I start seeing last night's snowfall. Just touches on the grasses and some trees. But as I get even higher, its more of a layer of snow on the ground, trees, etc. It's also snowing harder. It sure looks pretty.

I find a yellow spring flower that doesn't seem to like last night's snow/cold; hopefully it will recover.

I'm below the other parking area now. The trail is still a stream but only about an inch deep -- definitely cross-able today. (There are two men behind me and one mentions that yesterday, the trail was a rushing rapids --- oh what a difference a day makes especially a cold one.)

I take one of trails down to the river -- looks nice.

I climb up to the bridge before the trail end --- its covered in snow; not going across.

At the end of the trail, the old concrete building has a snowy ground and trees -- not something I'd expect in late April. And its still snowing.

I make a short stop at the end for a quick snack before heading back down.

Make a quick stop because the snow-covered moss looks pretty.

I take another one of the trails down to the river.

Also notice some Waterleaf just starting to bloom.

The sun is out before I get back to the parking lot. Hoping for some bflies but its still in the 40s -- not much of a chance.

Good hike. (A little strange though because there were no birds, no squirrels...)

April 25 - Antelope Island (The gnats are back - ugh!)

My Friday off - yea!!! Tossed around a few options but decided to go to Antelope Island --- the baby bison and antelope should be here -- I hope.

I think the trip may be a risk because the biting gnats are coming - can't remember if that's the end of April or May; but I'll have some idea today.

The water is really low today (both the Farmington Bay side and Salt Lake) -- though I would think Farmington Bay (freshwater) would be filling up with all the mountain snow melt --- probably diverted to the aquifers. Lots of "beach" (I'd call it tidal flats but this is a lake) -- but the shorebirds (avocets, etc) are out and some little black ducks (I think they are Coots).

I changed things up today and decided not to go down the East side of the island first thing. There's rain in the forecast for the afternoon/evening and I need to complete the hike of White Rock Trail first.

Make a quick stop at the potties first --- the Common Checkered Skipper butterflies are flying (lots of them), and so are the nasty biting gnats --- this is probably not going to be a fun day (but there is a little bit of a breeze that could keep the gnats at bay).

No bison out anywhere that I can see, wonder where they're all at. But I do see a Chukkar as he ran right in front of my car; luckily I was able to stop.

I turn to go through the campground and get to the trailhead and spot 3 deer at one of the site. One is a button buck (little button antlers). One deer quickly takes off running across the road and down into the brush by the water. Another follows. The last one walks calmly for a bit checking me out and then follows the other 2 down. They quickly disappear. That's a good start!!

Park my car and climb out and was immediately greeted by a swarm of gnats and a Western Meadowlark (yellow breast proudly thrusted forward) belting out his call from a tall fence post.

The ground is covered in pink flowers; the one of the pink flowers looks like a phlox and the other I'm not sure - but they're everywhere.

There is also Lily-like plant blooming.

I take off --- no bison, antelope in sight; just pink flowers and occasional pesky biting gnats (and their bites hurt and then burn). The chukars are calling as well --- the "look-out" is stationed on a rock as I pass by.

As I get higher, seeing lots of Checkered Skippers and see the yellow & black Anise Swallowtail (the first swallowtail to fly).

The trail is leading me slowly out of the breeze now and stopping to look at anything, results in a swarm of gnats surrounding my head. Got to keep moving.

I see an antelope below the trail and I stop (being swarmed with gnats is OK for an antelope). He's actually pretty friendly today. Just checking me out. Then he heads towards the trail and than onto the trail -- we stand staring at each other (about 60ft apart).

 I try to stay still but the gnats are driving me crazy. The antelope takes a few steps towards me -- almost saying "What are you doing out here in all the gnats, get out of here!!". When I take a step towards him, he takes off in a slow trot up to the rocky section. (That's the closest I've ever gotten to an antelope -- they're usually pretty skiddish.)

I turn yet another corner and I'm out of the breeze and I now covered in gnats (arms, shirts, cap, ...face) and have a swarm of gnats flying around my head. I try picking up the pace but it doesn't help. So I start to jog -- my head is down and pressing thru. A herd of bison catch my eye but when I look up and see a swarm of black gnats I ain't stopping to find out how many bison.

Some movement near the trail coming up but still jogging trying to outrace these little buggers. Finally get to another pronghorn --- and I stop for him too. He's on the right side on the trail. He's not afraid either --- again probably thinking "Stupid human". He actually crosses the trail (nice shot against the mountain background), looks at me for a while

and then crosses back. We're just staring at each other -- but its time to race for the top of the hill and the breeze. (I so want to turn around, but I'll just have to go thru the gnat gauntlet all over again ... but at least I'd be running downhill.)

I keep plugging away and finally make it to the breeze!! Oh what a relief! Bugs gone! I think I'd be safe the rest of the way because the wind is from the NW and once I come around the valley, will be walking the coast back (at least that's what I'm hoping).

I can now stop and check out the Painted Lady butterflies, take a closer look at the pink flowers and the lily, and enjoy the view from up high --- finally see some bison on the east side down by Farmington Bay. And I can finally get all the bugs I inhaled out of my mouth with some swigs of water. I see a Pearl Crescent bfly too!

I loop around the valley bug-free. And there's no visible animals in the valley.

As the trail swings out and runs parallel to the water, the breeze is much lighter. I know if I stop, I'll be swarmed again. I even turn around and see a big swarm waiting to pounce.

I stop for a couple of Juba Skippers but it brief and I keep moving, until I see some beautiful red Paintbrush blooming among the sagebrush. There's not a lot of it but its so pretty and worth a stop. But the stop is very quick because I'm swarmed yet again!. (This is Early or Desert Paintbrush. And they are partly parasitic on the sagebrush --- and I can confirm that the paintbrush is only around the sagebrush.)

There also a yellow flower blooming -- definitely in the Pea family.

The rest of the way is walk and jog.  I'm so tired of the bugs -- I'd like to teleport myself to my car. But it gets worse, the last mile, there's no breeze and I can't escape them. I'm not exaggerating, they're everywhere (my own min-horrible show) - my ears burning from the bites.

One last sprint to my car and then I just dive in and shut the door. After I get my backpack off, I look in the rear view mirror, I have dead bugs around both eye sockets, around my nose and mouth, my collar and my teeth (I'm going to start carrying floss in my car -- that's disgusting!). Luckily I have napkins which I wet to wipe all the bugs off my face. Horrible stuff!!! (OK the 2 close encounters with the antelope were great -- but horrible hiking.)

I almost don't want to go down the east side of the island but its always an adventure so I have to go (just staying in my car from now on).

Well, I'm finding a bison on the east side. They are down at the "beach" --- the fresh water is so low they need to be down there to trek to the water (a long trek in some cases). The first set of bison I see (2 of them) have also created wallows --- I think its to escape these nasty bugs.

I just cross the fence and immediately see a coyote walking towards my car in the grass next to the road. (The grass is a little higher than the road here.)

I stop. Something is strange as he doesn't seem to have the "happy coyote trot" I usually see. I look up above him and about 20 ft away is a pronghorn. This coyote can't be stalking this adult pronghorn??!!

I get out of my car (standing right outside my driver's door) to watch what happens. And sure enough, this coyote slowly walks past the antelope and turns back getting very low to the ground. The pronghorn is watching him and looks at me. (I should point out, at least 2 cars stopped to see what I was looking at but all they saw was the pronghorn --- they're missing something special going on here.) The pronghorn takes a few steps down towards my car and stares at the coyote. The coyote creeps closer. Then the pronghorn attacks the coyote, head down (horns forward) and rushes him into the fence.

Then the pronghorn walks away -- I guess expecting the coyote to take off. But nope, the coyote starts the stalk over again. The pronghorn waits a little and goes at the coyote again. Chasing him down the fence line towards my car!

I'm expecting the coyote and pronghorn to run across the road right behind my car. But there's a drainage culvert next to the road which the coyote ducks into -- the pronghorn looking down into the hole.

I didn't see the coyote come out the other end so maybe he finally playing it safe. But the pronghorn, crossed right behind my car. He stood in the middle of the road (I'm 10-15ft away). Looking around. Then walked down the road to the other side of the fence. Stopped, looked around and then dropped down towards the leg. How cool was that!! And I was right there watching it happen (that made horrific hike worth the trip!!)

Adventure over, time to move on. I see a few more bison down by the water. And then I see a large bird standing on the "beach". I zoom in with my camera and its a Sandhill Crane!! (When I was here with my sister, we saw what I thought were cranes but the DNR guy told me they were probably Blue Heron cause he had seen 2 that morning. I doubted myself because I don't remember seeing the pterodactyl shape that a heron has -- now after seeing this crane, I think I was right!)

As I continue down the island, there's more and more bison. I think the island's entire bison population is over here lining the bay or the mountains. Huge herds. I'm looking for babies but nothing yet. I see 2 deer in the brush by the bay. (That's 5 for the day and 2 herds -- the most deer I've ever since!).

Finally I get to a herd that has babies. Little reddish brown cuties. They are laying down, walking by Mom, playing. So fun to watch!

There's another herd a bit further down where there are 3 (probably 1-2yr old males) practicing their fighting skills. They are non-stop: chasing, fighting, wallowing, chasing. Too cool.

There one little baby running around them.

I make it to the Ranch and see if I can find the Owls. I do find a perch with a twig nest. Not sure if that's the owl nest or some other bird -- but nothing it. But not disappointed in the least, just can't believe the adventure I had going down the east side of the island.

Now I get to go back!!

I see a coyote running on the beach towards the bison. I didn't stop to watch (because he had a bit of distance to cover before reaching the herd -- but that might have been fun to watch, especially with the babies running around).

I was coming up on a bison herd on the mountain side of the road. I see 4 animals running towards the bison - they're deer and they are in an all out sprint. I can't see anything chasing them but there must be a coyote in the grasses somewhere. Once the deer reach the herd, they stop running. They look back but just walk among the bison, crossing right in back to them! Neither species seem alarmed or care. The deer continue down towards the road. (3 herds today!!0 Time for me to move on.

So it was a tale of 2 half days for me. One battling the swarms of gnats on a hike/run (I'm sure I'll be itching for days from the bites); and the other watching a pronghorn/coyote interaction, a Sandhill Crane, and tons of bison (including playing babies and juveniles). A perfect ending!!!

April 11 - Mormon Trail (Thru the creek and into the snow....)

Finally an off Friday!! Was planning on doing errands but when I was told task#1 would take 1/2 day, decided to go for a hike. I've been wanting to try the Mormon Trailbut not sure about snow (its on the other side of Parley's Summit before Park City so around 5500ft) -- but I don't see snow in the foothills so its worth a shot.

The drive up to the summit was interesting -- south facing slopes = no snow; north facing = snow and a lot. Was thinking about stopping at Lamb's Canyon but just driving by it looks like a snowshoe effort. But that's for another day. Today, the Mormon Trail (at least 1.5 hours of it, that's what I'm giving myself as a turn around time).

Sunny day, supposed to be in the low 70s again (a fair bit above normal). Driving thru the Jeremy's Ranch subdivision, these people still had snow on the shadier parts of their yard. The creek that the dirt road follows was flowing pretty good from the snowmelt. The willows in the creek beds were yellow/green with new growth; it very pretty.

The dirt road was in good shape for not being maintained thru the winter but the short drive on a private road to the parking area was quite holey and bumpy. The parking lot had only one car --- looks like I have it all to myself today (basically).

Before I even got on the trail, I was greeted by a Mourning Cloak -- a nice welcome. I get to the main trail and the creek was very loud and flowing fast thru the trees next to the trail. Somehow I think this will be an interesting hike. Not far along on the trail I meet an older gentleman coming from the other direction (the other car in the parking lot). He says "hi" and says that I should be ready to get wet today --- yep, interesting day coming soon.

Sure enough not too much further down the trail, the trail becomes a small creek. Its easy enough to walk on the very edges of the trail to stay out of the water at first but then the trail water finds a way down to the actual creek. Some conveniently placed rocks and branches get me across with dry feet and back on a dry trail again.

Lots of robins and squirrels running a bout. No leaves on the trees yet but there is plant life poking up thru the ground. Plenty of Mourning Cloaks flying as well as Hoary and Satyr Commas. Its so peaceful -- just me and the creek.

Because the creek was high, there are plenty of little waterfalls (over fallen trees, rocks, etc) and ripples. Took plenty of detours through the brush down to the creek for looks.

But then there are several interesting creek crossing when the creek and trail became one. I had to go over rocks, trees, dirt slopes just to get across. And in one case, I had to cross on a fallen log -- a tricky 10ft crossing that would have ended in a 3ft fall if I lost my balance. But it was all worth it!

I was expecting the Mourning Cloaks and Commas but seeing a Pearl Crescent bfly really surprised me (I was thinking it was too early).

At about the 1mile mark, the trail starts wrapping around to the northern side of the mountain and I started to see snow. It was still off to the left but its still snow. The further I went, the more snow there was and the closer I got to it. (And of course, I had to walk off-trail thru it to get a better view of the creek as it passed thru the snow. :)

But even with the snow closing in, the Tiger Beetles are out!!

And there are these tiny white flowers in a clump (only a few inches above the ground).

And I see a Sara Orangetip (it's a male - they always fly first)!!!

I finally get to a large roadblock (that's not flowing water); it a big tree that fell over the winter that is blocking the trail. To high to go over it so I have to crawl under it -- not really a big deal except on the other side of the tree is snow - a little cold on the hands and knees!

From there I'm walking on snow -- and sometimes post-holing along. But I'm coming up on the "camp" -- a big open meadow. It looks really pretty!

As I get closer to the pond, there are more of the tiny white flowers and I see a Brown Elfin nectaring!! (These guys are one of the first non-overwintering butterflies to fly in the Spring - and only in the Spring.)

There are also buttercups blooming. Lots of them in this meadow!

And there are moose dropping around -- but I don't see a moose :(

On a log in the pond are a male and female mallard duck. As I get closer, they spook and quack loudly and fly off. The area near the pond is always very wet and its more so today because above it, is all snow(melting snow). I see a bright blue flash --- it's a butterfly! And I go chasing it but quickly lose it -- probably a Spring Azure - hopefully I'll see it again. I also see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell.

I turn around and look the direction I came from -- the pond in the front, the meadow and a snowy mountain - so pretty.

Its taken not quite an hour to get here so I decide to keep going. But there more snow and climbing over trees to avoid the snow is getting tedious (and I have to repeat it all to get back to my car). I do make it to the old beaver dam --- the water is overflowing the dam - it's pretty neat.

I get around the dam to the pond and the 2 mallards get revenge and scare me as they quack and fly off again. (Was not expecting that!)

I decide its time to head back -- thru the snow, the creeks, over the logs. I see the blue butterfly again nectaring on that little white flower - its a Spring Azure!

On the way back I heard some "cha-cha" sound and saw a flash of movement in the woods. It was grey so it's not a deer. Seemed too small for a moose. Then the animal rustled toward me but I couldn't see it. I was
planning my escape route just in case it was a moose. Then I caught a glimpse of him - whew only a squirrel!

Almost back to the parking lot, I see another Sara Orangetip.

What a great day! Took a little effort on this hike but it was fun and challenging. And the effort paid off with 19+ Mourning Cloaks, Satyr & Hoary Commas, Milbert's Tortoiseshell, a Pearl Crescent, Brown Elfin, 2 Spring Azures and 2 Sara Orangetips; Tiger Beetles and very pretty scenery. And yea, my shoes and socks are a little wet --- but all worth it!

April 9 - Little Cottonwood Trail

It's 77 and sunny today! I took off an hour early today (because I have to work an hour later tomorrow) and I'm heading to the Little Cottonwood Trail to see what's happening (and I'm assuming most of the snow is gone by now).

I check the main parking lot and it's still closed -- there's no snow anywhere perhaps the lot opens on a particular date (like Memorial Day). No matter, I just head up the canyon for the other entrance.

There are a couple of cars in the small lot. The south facing mts are clear of snow all the way to the top. The north facing slopes still have plenty of snow -- the avalanche chutes are full as well. And the little canyon in between (at least at the lot -- is snow free).

As I go down the hill, all I hear is water running (snow melt) and I smell pine trees (and the pine smell is pretty strong -- love that smell). When I get to the bottom I go to turn left to head to the concrete building at the end of the trail and I see why the sound of water is sound prevalent....the trail is a running stream, probably 4-5inches deep. Now I could go wading but just not today. So my choice is to head downhill to the big bridge.

Now there is snow on the trail in spots that are shaded by the mountains. One such spot is soon after I turn right. Probably a foot or so. I go to cross the snow to head to the creek but soon realize that the water coming down the trail is undercutting the snow --- not terrible but I'm just not looking to end up a foot deep in snow with ice cold water running over my foot...so I tread lightly.

I make it to the creek -- not terribly high yet but flowing faster than last time I was here. There are Mourning Cloaks and Commas (Hoary and Satyr) flying a bout. And there is still snow on the other side of the creek.

As I continue down the trail, I see a couple of squirrels running around. And a chickadee in the trees. A Milbert's Tortoiseshell flutters by.

There is still one section of the trail with snow/ice --- light stepping here as well.

I pass my favorite water pool -- nice to see "an old friend" again. The pool is not totally full yet but there is quite a bit of water flowing in.

I get to the big water bridge in what seems like record time -- perhaps its because there are other people on the trail (lots of bikers) but it seemed so much longer in the winter months.

There's not much water flowing -- all redirected above to storage. But there is enough water for the Dipper (grey bird) to be bobbing for something to eat. And he was quite vocal today. I had to stop and listen for a while.

Then it was back uphill to my car. I see a Red-breasted Nuthatch on the way back.

Great way to spend my evening.