Beautiful morning, it's sunny (though clouds are supposed to roll in at some point) and a crisp 40 degrees (high in mid/upper 40s).
The causeway drive was a bit different this morning - there was actually more water in both Salt Lake and Farmington Bay. Not sure why as we haven't had a lot of rain (or snow) lately. But it was definitely nice to see.
The ice that was Farmington Bay last time I was here is gone. And so is huge gathering of ducks that was here last time. There are still ducks, but in smaller number and spread out because the water is open (not frozen).
I'm a little later than I hoped (slow getting going this morning) so I head directly to the trailhead.
I'm happy to see a small herd of bison below Buffalo Point -- it's the first bison I've seen on the west side of the island in a while. Hope that's a good omen.
I get to the trailhead and start in my normal clockwise direction. (There's a State Park truck heading counter-clockwise down the trail -- I've seen a lot of them lately here.) I don't see any bison around the trailhead or down by the water but I do see some ahead of me on the hill (hope they're not too near the trail). After walking a bit, I turn around (just wanting to see behind me) and there are bison down at the start of the trail. I just didn't see them before -- there's about 7 of them!
The visibility is pretty decent today - I can see the mountains to the west pretty clearly (and they have snow on the tops!!!). The recent inversion has either cleared or is just better north of the city.
I'm closing in on the herd on the hill - there's 5 of them (and more in the distance - probably 20-30). Two are standing and 3 are laying down. They are far enough off the trail so I pass by easily.
It's the middle of December so surprise, surprise, I see a plant with blooms and buds!!
(Probably thanks to all that warm weather we've been having) And ironically, a few feet away, a similar plant with frosty leaves.
I'm almost to the top now and still scanning for wildlife. I'm in a section with some scattered big boulders and something that looks different. I check with my camera - yes its a lone bison laying down not far from the trail. This one, I need to go off-trail to give it a wide berth.
As I get close, he stands up and looks at me. I watch him the whole way -- no wagging tail but his tail isn't up either. I get to watch him for some time as the trail loops back behind him. It's a pretty view behind him.
It's getting cloudy further north and looks like some rain showers -- I hope it doesn't move here until I'm done with this hike.
I finally make it to the top and I can see snowy peaks in the distance between Frary Peak and Elephant Head. And I can see the black spots in White Rock Valley - big herd of bison!!!
For the first time, I actually notice Salt Lake City on the horizon. I think it's standing out because the fog (from the inversion) is thick to the south and it just sticks out.
I cross the ridgeline and now am heading downhill. I can't find the bison until I look back behind me, they are under the ridgeline - I circled around them.
I see 3 bison near the trail along the shoreline -- I will deal with them soon.
I also see 3 bison way up high on a side of a mountain that's covered in light snow. Its pretty steep -- I'm surprised to see them there though I probably shouldn't be.
I see some deer or pronghorn scat on the trail - no hoof prints though (and no animals).
Heading north now -- the scenery has changed from sunny to dark clouds with a peak of sunlight -- it's really pretty!
I closing in on the 3 bison. This one might tricky - 2 are to the right of the trail and far enough away I'm not too concerned about them (but I'd go off-trail to give them extra room). The other is to the left of the trail and just feet off the trail. I don't want to go between the bison so I'm planning on heading left through the sagebrush. I'm hoping as I get closer, the left bison - who is laying down - will notice me and stand up - I don't want to surprise him (these are older males and can be a bit testy at times - ran into a herd of them earlier this Spring that trail monitors sent me way around the herd).
As I get closer, one of the bison on the right side notices me, quits feeding and heads pretty quickly to the left bison. Oh crap - I think this one might want to "play". I'm really nervous now but keep heading forward. Then I hear something behind me. I turn and it's the State Park truck - perfect timing!! I hope they help me get through these bison.
Sure enough they pull up and ask if I'm comfortable moving through them. I say no and they offer me a ride. (Yes!!) As we pull up, that "trouble making" bison moves back to the right. Just off the road, he puts his head down and jostles with the dirt and then rolls in the dirt -- I believe this to be a sign of aggression as the ranger commented that he was being a little fiesty. (Thank goodness for the short ride!)
A few feet passed the left bison, they let me out. The bison quickly stood up and stared at me. His tail was up --- I walked as quickly as I could behind the truck to get out of his territory.
One last herd of bison at the beginning of the trail (yes, they are still here). They are far enough off trail that I just walk on by.
Back in my car, it's time for a quick trip down the east side of the island.
No sun now -- clouds have rolled in and I can see it raining in spots on the horizon.
On the east side, I finally see one bison around the Frary Peak turn-off. Further down, there are herds of bison but they are far away towards the mountains.
But the mountains to the east look pretty impressive with a bit of sunlight shining thru the dark clouds.
Then I turn a corner and Wow! this snowy white mountain peak ahead of me!! I think my jaw dropped.
It's either Stansbury Peak or maybe Deseret Peak (neither on Antelope Island).
I get to the Ranch and then turn around. On the way back, I stop to watch a bird of prey circling above. I don't know what kind but it does have a white patch underneath it's wings.
As I come up to Frary Peak, I see the lone bison crossing the road. I pull-off and watch him as he heads down the hill towards the Farmington Bay shoreline. He's seems to be limping but that could just be muddy ground.
I'm finally back to the causeway and just had to stop for the view.
Great day -- but everyday is a great day when visiting Antelope Island! :)
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