Nov 20 - Elephant Head (Antelope Island)

There's snow in the mountains, some of the ski resorts are open so I'm heading to Antelope Island today to hike to Elephant Head (a new trail for me).

Nippy morning (34 degrees) but the high is supposed to be in the upper 40s. It's cloudy but the weatherman says the sun will come out near afternoon (I hope so otherwise, it's never getting into the 40s.)

It's not only cloudy this morning but hazy as well. Suspect is the inversion as the Warning - please limit your driving signs for better air quality are lit up on the expressway.

But its an easy commute and before I knew it, I was at the Antelope Island gate.

Crossing the causeway this morning was an art lesson in shades of grey because except for the brown vegetation along the road, it was all grey because of the clouds, the inversion, etc. Visibility off the road was really low. Kinda creepy but still cool.

As usual, when I got closer to the island, water in both the Salt Lake to the north and Farmington Bay appears. The water to the north was calm and ice-free (as it should, it's salt water). Farmington Bay looked frozen (but its hard to tell). It would make sense if its frozen, water-levels are low, it's been belong freezing at night for several days (and below freezing during day too).

Then I confirm my frozen suspicion as there are tons of birds (mostly ducks) in open area - swimming and feeding - the rest is definitely ice.

Head down towards the Ranch. Quickly see a small herd of bison (maybe 5) before the fenceline.

I see another small herd a little further down. And yet another. It seems that the mega-herd has finally dispersed.

I finally find a larger herd up near the mountains. There's a person parked watching them with a spotting scope. I stop and find a deer (female) feeding in the tall grasses near the shoreline. She blends in pretty well.

I continue and a little further, there's yet another large herd of bison on one side of the road and 5-6 stranglers on the other - right next to the road. I'll investigate them on my way back north.

I get to the ranch with only bison and one deer sighting.

Time to turn around and head back up the island. There's just a couple of bison heading along the shoreline north. They are solo bison just walking along.

I head to the trailhead at White Rock campground. No bison, antelope, deer or coyote along the way.

The trail to Elephant Head follows the lower portion of the White Rock Loop trail along the Salt Lake. Then when the White Rock Loop trail veers left (east), Elephant Head heads straight up a hill. The trail is just over 8 miles (some sources have it around 9 miles) with an elevation gain of about 600 ft.

The sun is still trying to come out and it's about 11 am when I start the trail. I'm hoping to see some animals but a State Parks truck takes off down the trail before me and I'm sure any animals that might be around will be scared off - oh well.

The island is still hazy but looking out over the Salt Lake is a wall of fog (or inversion).

Pretty soon I hear another truck, This time a white DNR truck passes by -- I hope they're not going my way. Please!!! (Actually, they went east at the trail split - whew!)

The walk was very brown -- dead brown -- all the plants were just dry stalks. Not one little bloom hanging on still. And no animals -- there's usually a bison or two either at the start of the trail or in the White Rock meadow but nothing I can see.

Very quiet too - no birds, no coyotes howls, etc...

I finally get to the trail split - go left, complete the White Rock Loop; go straight, Elephant Head. I'm heading straight. Ahead of me, a bit of climb (probably most of the 600 ft gain) into unchartered territory for me.

I pass the one tree on the hill where many people with horses rest because there's a hitching post. But I continue on up. I stop to look back over the valley I've traversed quite often, looks pretty from up high.

And....I do spot a few bison down by the water!!!

There's some light snow in some of the shader spots but for the most part, it's clear.

When I get to the top there's some pretty incredible views (even with the clouds, partial low sun, and inversion) - the White Rock Valley, White Rock and down towards Buffalo Point and then to the north -- the craggy mountains. Wow!

It very rocky terrain up here.

I find my turn-off heading west towards the lake (and Elephant Head).

There's another trail that continue towards the craggy mountains; its the Split Rock Loop (it's another 5 miles).

As I head west, I can see a valley below and the beach - the lake and the mountains to west are blanked by the inversion -- still very pretty though.

The trail flattens. Lots of big rocks.

I see Bison, coyote and antelope scat but no animals. Passing one rocky outcropping I hear a bunch of Chukkars but can't find them.

I'm about 650 ft above the Salt Lake w/ wide open views.

I'm almost out of land when the trail curves around what must be Elephant Head (a huge pile of rocks). I'm heading east again with shadowy views of the craggy mountains. The trail finally ends at a large rock and a cliff.

Its just me and the Cawing crows and ravens.

What a great spot for lunch!

On the way back I find an animal spine. Too small to be a buffalo - but not sure what it is.

The sun is out now casting a golden glow to the dry vegetation.

I'm almost back to the Split Rock Loop intersection and I spot some dark objects on the grassy mountain in front of me. I think their just trees but when I zoom in, there's 4-5 bison up there - grazing with quite a view!

On the way down, I can't find the bison I saw by the lake - not sure where they went.

No animals on the way back other than the human kind riding horses.

Back in the car I decide to finish the island loop and head around the Visitor's Center -  maybe there's animals there.

I see a Chukkar, he steps out of the grasses onto the road in front of my car. As I brake, he turns around and heads back into the grasses. A little further along the road, same thing happens again.

On the last stretch before reaching the causeway, I see two deer (females) feeding along the Salt Lake. A nice way to end my day.

Along the causeway, I stop and take a look at the ducks in the open water -- it's like a huge black mass in the water.

(They look like mostly Northern Shovelers.)

What a fantastic day!!

Nov 9 - Sentry Trail - Antelope Island

Heading to Antelope Island today. Another 60 degree and sunny day today.

Decide to do the Sentry Trail loop on the east side of the island.

Driving over the causeway, still no water in Farmington Bay and the Salt Lake until I get closer to the island. Guess I'll have to wait until next Spring for that to change.

Head down east side towards the Ranch. Not many animals to see this morning - I spot a sole bison in the vicinity of the watering container and 2 pronghorn just past the Frary Peak turn-off. Otherwise pretty quiet until I got near the Ranch. Big herd of bison off in the distance next to the mountains, another big herd off near what should be the edge of the water and another herd just south of the Ranch (near where I'm parking). There's a few bison straying from the "past the Ranch" herd but they certainly belong.

I get ready to start the trail and I hear a coyote howling to the north. I can't find him so I continue on the hike.

Not too far from the start, there's a small group of bison about 200 yards off the trail (one of the "past the Ranch" splinter herds). They were watching as I passed by.

I'm surprised to see butterflies out - lots of Clouded Sulphers and a few Checkered Whites. And a good number of the tiny Western Pygmy Blue. There are nectar sources: some yellow composites, a few small purple asters, and a yellow snapdragon-like flowers.

The trail is a road but I've never seen a car on it until today. A white State Parks truck coming. Not sure what they were doing on top (but I'm sure it was interesting).

The views are pretty incredible today -- first pretty clear day that I've seen here in quite a while. I get to the top with views of both sides of the island.

To the east:

To the west (southwest actually -- wanted the snowy peak)

There is a very snowy peak to the south (off the island). It stands out because none of the peaks on the island have snow nor do the peaks across the bay.

I don't stop at the picnic table because there's a group of folks using it. I just continue north along the crest and behind Sentry Peak enjoying the quiet and views.

As I pass behind the rocky outcropping of Sentry Peak, I hear a bunch of chatter and see lots of movement on the rocky outcropping. It's a flock of Chukkars!!

There's a least 40-50 of them. Most are moving south up along the rocks while others are going north. Lots of clucking, lots of movement - pretty fun to watch and listen to.

I continue along until its time to start heading downhill and give up the best view of both sides of the island.

On the way down, I see a few tiger beetles and grasshoppers. I also see a dragonfly.

I hear at least one coyote barking.

By the Ranch, the scattered bison have now all congregated by the shoreline.

On the drive back north, nothing much has changed. I find the 2 pronghorn and the solo bison.

The drive back across the causeway yields near perfect reflections as the water is dead still.

Great day!!

As a side note: yesterday I planted a bunch bulbs at home. A few hours later in the same spot, I noticed a Praying Mantis. My first one in UT.

Today I get home and the Praying Mantis is on my gutter next to my side door.

I love these things and looked forward to them in the Fall in the Midwest. Nice to see they live in UT as well.

Nov 7 - Twin Lake Resevoir

Another beautiful morning, sunny and heading to a high well above normal again (in the mid-60s.).

Heading to the mountains today. After a Sat/Sun/Mon storm brought snow to the mountains, time to check it out. Not sure how far I will get, but I love the adventure. Plan is to head up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton and hike up to Catherine's Pass - backup plan is Silver Lake and Twin Lakes.

Not much snow visible as I drive up the canyon - I know there's snow in the mountains, I've been looking at it since Sunday. As I get very close to the ski resorts - BINGO! Snow!. High in the mountains, mostly on the northern and eastern exposures.

I stop a Silver Lake to take a quick walk-around the lake -- looking for moose. But hop back in the car to see if Brighton is hikeable. When I pull-up, the trail is buried under snow - snow from the storm and snow that the ski resort is making. They have the start of a groomed ski run! Twin Lakes is my hike today.

Only 2 cars in the parking lot around 10am. It's in the 40s with a light breeze. I walk into the meadow to a view of snowy mountains. Not buried in snow, but just enough to look pretty.

I check for moose - nothing - so I walk counter clockwise around the icy boardwalk. Perfectly quiet morning - wonderful. Silver Lake still have a lot of open water but the eastern 1/2 is frozen to various degrees as it gets shaded by the mountains. Still lovely reflections in the water.

The hiking trail markers have been taken down for the winter but I start up the Twin Lakes trail anyway just following footprints in the snow. The trail heads uphill thru the now leafless aspen trees -- just tall white trunks and limbs against the blue sky (with a bit of snow on the ground). This trail is usually rocky but the packed snow (and ice) level things out a bit making for easier walking (and slippery).

The ledge over Silver Lake is pretty much snow covered. I find a few deer tracks following the ledge -- a mini-deer highway above the lake. I also see another track. It has 4 rounded toes and a pad in the middle. It's about the size of the width of shoe. Not sure what it is.

I hear a pika calling from the rocky slide to my right. I do find him but he scampers under some rocks.

Silver Lake looks quite pretty from up here.

I'm off the ledge and turn south towards the reservoir. Much more snow here but there are still footprints to follow so I'm still heading up.

I stop to look around and hear something off to my right. There are three deer! No four deer grazing. All does. They sure blend into the surroundings. They know I'm there -- they're all looking my way -- but finally decide I'm not a threat and continue their business. We're actually heading in the same direction so I get to enjoy them for a bit before my trail verges off their path.

I finally make it to dam and the lake. Quite pretty this morning and its all mine!!! Not a soul around!

I find a nice rock on the shore to take a rest and enjoy the sights. No ice on the lake yet but she's pretty low with some steep shores up the lake.

I decide to head up above the lake. I wanted to do this last time I was here but it was really windy so I didn't get to Twin Lake Pass. Today it's just somewhat windy. Not planning on going to the Pass unless the trail is snow-free though. Just trying to get higher. The trail is follows along the western side of the lake.

Twins Lakes is really two lakes. The dam allows for higher water levels so the two lakes become one. I've never seen the two lakes. But as I climb higher, there is two lakes today!!! The second one looks totally frozen!

The trail has some "mesh" on it to prevent erosion. I see a squirrel playing tug-o-war with a piece of the mesh trying to tear a piece off. Pretty entertaining but his persistence paid off and with his prize, he ducks into the trees.

I follow the trail until there are no more footprints and I find a nice spot overlooking the lakes. Its really pretty up here -- big range of snowy mountains in view (with the two lakes).

I want to make it to the icy lake so I head back down. Nice view of the dam from up here too.

When I get back to the lake I follow the lower trail along the western shore.

As I get further down the first lake, I can see the land that separates the lakes. Its quite snowy. I can also see water flowing between the lakes.

I arrive at the 2nd lake and head for small stream between the lakes.

Its a nice view down to the dam.

And a nice view of the icy lake.

I make my way down the beach to the far shore. There are tracks on the ice. They zig-zag around. I'm thinking they might be an animal trying to get to the small openings of water. They're just strange.

There are deer track on the beach. Also a couple of different tracks in the snow. None of them super fresh. One is long - maybe a raccoon. But the fascinating ones are the animals trails. One has four close tracks and a long break, then four more track and a long break with the tracks in a single file.

The other is just a long line of continuous tracks. Sure wish I knew my animal tracks.

I find a nice rock on the far side of the lake (in the snow) to enjoy the views.

But feet are cold from the snow so I move to a non-snowy rock back up the lake.

Then its time to head back.

One last parting shot to the icy lake.

On the way down, I spot the deer again -- five this time. Four of them wander off when they see me, the fifth is laying down and just watches as I pass.

I hear a pika as I head across the ledge over Silver Lake. I find him on a rock.

When I get back to Silver Lake, there's a chipmunk sunning himself on a rock.

I decide to walk around the rest of the lake -- the snowy and icy side.

I'm on the final stretch of icy boardwalk when I see a tiny shrew or mouse heading towards me. (It startles me.) It turns around and tries to find somewhere to hide on the open boardwalk hiding under one of the raised edges. I walk over and he runs down into the grasses and disappears. Cool "little" ending to a fabulous day!!