Feb 8 - Sentry Trail

After a week of snow and rain, we finally have a sunny, clear day in the forecast. (Note: it snowed so much in the mountains, Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed for over 2 days due avalanches.)

It's 37 with the sun coming up over the mountains as I leave my house around 7:30.

I arrive on the causeway a little colder but sunny and no clouds.

I find a beautiful hawk along the causeway.

And Golden Eyes in the open water near the bridge.

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.

As I start down, I'm wondering if there will be a lot of animal movement due to 2 days of snow and then rain.

I think it's the first time ever for me that I reach the Ranch without spotting a single bison/pronghorn/deer or coyote. Yes, there was bison movement; those big herds are gone! Including the one hanging around Mushroom Springs. It's a Sentry Trail day!

Missing the critters, I decide to do an owl check. I'm ask before heading into the woods; the owls are in the barn -- can't miss them.

I head into the barn and walk the entire structure and see no owls! I walk back; still not seeing them. I start back again and hey, there's one owl!

Oh, and there's the other one after to the right!

Smart owls staying out of the weather!

Time to start my hike. The road towards Mushroom Springs is still slightly frozen mud which makes for easy walking. (There's a couple in front of me, just trying to give them their space so keeping about a 40-50 yard distance.)

As I start towards Mushroom Springs, I look to my left and holy cow! There a large herd of Pronghorn! They are frightened by our approach and start moving south. There's at least 50 Pronghorn!! Way cool!

As I near Mushroom Springs, I spot that herd of bison. They are up there to the right; they might be an issue. Time will tell.

The trail up the hill is clear minus a couple of patches of snow.

Crossing the switchback, the snow coverage gradually increases along the way.

I'm thinking the bison are somewhere below me so I'm looking but not seeing any.

It's time to head back up hill, this time thru 4+ inches. As I'm reaching the loop, I see bison movement as the folks in front of me pass by.

I'm actually surprised they went by the bison, they are near the trail but the bison did stand, no raised tails so I went by cautiously. I was going to go up on the opposite side of the loop but the bison are really near that trail. I just follow the couple in front of me. Hey, at least they are breaking the trail for me! ;)

It's slow going as it's an uphill trudge through upwards of 6 inches of snow but I make it to the ridge!! What an awesome day!!

I want to cross the ridge but there are bison below so I decide to head back the same way. A lot easier going on the way down but just as beautiful!

As the bison come into view, I get swarmed by hundreds of birds zipping by. Just praying I don't get pooped on (and amazingly I don't).

Nearing the bison, some are back to laying down and a few are standing. But all are looking at me. I decide to off-trail a bit to give them more space.

As I continue down, I notice a small herd of bison in the distance someone just past the Ranch. I look for them as I drive back up the island but they are behind a hill or in a gully and can't be seen.

Good day!