March 22 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day predicted with temperatures near 60 degrees - it's a great day to head to Antelope Island for a hike.

Leave my house at 7:30 am hoping to get there before the masses arrive.

It's still cloudy out but by the time I arrive 40 minutes or so later, there some blue sky moving in fast from the northwest.

I find no hawks along the causeway this morning and it looks like only the population of gulls are increasing at this time. The other ducks/shorebirds should be arriving shortly.

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. Sentry Trail is my hike today (bison willing). Would love to hike White Rock but it'll be packed and I'd like to "social" distance.

It's a good start after the turn as there is a lone bison behind the Visitor's Center.

And there a many bison hanging out in the rocks along the curve.

There's another lone bison near the first pull-out.

And I also see them on the ridges near the Gravel Pit Trail - that one could be an adventure today. :)

I continue along and as I approach the Frary Peak road, I see a long line of bison marching along a ridge towards White Rock. It's way cool! Looks like an ant farm!

Continuing along, I find a male pheasant in the trees. (I think of them as ground birds so it's funny to see this one hidden in the branches.

I drive past a few herds of bison in the distance. No little reds yet as far as I can tell.

As I roll up on the Ranch, there are several deer in the field behind the Ranch. I see a few jumping in the air - I'm assuming they are trying to get over a fence. Pretty funny!

Crap! They have the gate closed this morning. I have a bit farther to walk today.

I gear up and head out into sunny skies with temps in the 40s.

That's when I notice there a bison near Mushroom Springs. Can't hike that now but it does look like they are moving north.

I kill sometime by checking out those deer - looks like 6 of them.

And then move on to look for the Owls. They should be nesting now but I'm hoping to find the male. I walk thru the barn and the woods and only find a few Robins.

I walk back to my car to find the bison are far enough north to hike the trail (yea)!

I start walking down the newly leveled dirt road (that's why it's closed).

I now see one deer in the distance and one in the previous spot. The others have probably bedded down somewhere.

I reach the trail and start towards Mushrooms Springs and up the hill to the switchback. Along the way I find a couple of pink flowers (I can't remember their names). Spring is advances which means the biting gnats are coming shortly.

I reach the switchback and start across stopping at the far end to look down onto those bison.

And then it up the rest of the way to the ridge passing lots of fresh sagebrush and green-ness!

I reach the ridge and start across.

There's a few more Spring Parsley in bloom but still not many.

At first I don't see any bison on the west side and than I find a herd. I get a good look just before starting down from the ridge.

I've been seeing these 5-6 inches holes in the ground on this trail. I now know who lives in them!

And I find some additional bison on the slopes to the north. Either I missed them on my hike up or these were the few from the other herd that made their way higher.

I don't see any people until I'm coming down from the switchback (1 person and then 2) and then 3 more on the stretch back to the road.

Along the road, I see my 1st northern butterfly of the year, a Checkered White!!

The Ranch's parking is getting packed as I get back to my car. Time to head north and avoid the growing crowds. And growing they are as at the gate, the line to get in has to be close to 1/2 mile long or longer. I know it's open space but so much for social distancing!

Oh my, the swirling tornadoes of midges have arrived. Sounds like rain hitting my windshield as I drive along. The shorebirds are missing out on a feast. (This definitely means the gnats are just a few weeks away :()

Great day!

March 17 - Lambs Canyon Rd

Well Happy St Patty's Day!

And it's an awesome day - sunny, mid 60s. Can't beat it!

Time to get out for an after work hike. I'd love to go up Millcreek Canyon and hike up the Desolation Trail to Overlook but this Corvid-19 virus puts a wrench in things. With all the Salt Lake schools out and many people not working I'm sure the canyon will be packed - instead of isolating at home.

So I head up Parley's Canyon to Lambs Canyon. I doubt many folks will be walking a snow covered road and if so, there's plenty of room and fresh air.

I arrive just after 4pm. The parking area and start of the road is snow free but past the gate, it's still covered in snow (1 to 2 feet).

I start up and enjoy the sun and the sounds of the creek as I walk.

I see a few folks: the guy on the snow mobile heading up canyon, a guy mediating on the snow covered road and a couple in some snow trax vehicle heading up canyon.

As I reach the trail head, the little stream of water that is a butterfly attractant is snow free now! Soon, very soon.

Just a lovely little walk.

Good to get out!

March 13 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

A partly cloudy day with highs near 50 is predicted.

I decide to take off early from work and head up to Antelope Island with hiking Sentry Trail as the goal.

It's a cool morning with highs around 35 degrees and really no sunshine when I leave from work around 8:30am. It's a bit windy as well.

When I reach the causeway, nothing has changed except there is blue skies to the northwest of the island (but it appears to be moving my way).

Causeway is hawk free this morning. However, the gull numbers are increasing.

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.

It's a quick start as I see a single Pronghorn behind the Ranch.

Oh! He's not the only one; looks like 14 of them!!

And there are 2 bison just a bit south of them. Great start!!

Continuing on around the curve, there are several bison among the rocks,

After that, there are no visible critters until I see a large herd of bison tucked in near the Frary Homestead.

And then there's another herd a bit south of them tucked onto the mountains.

And still another on top of a plateau! Active morning ... in the distance.

I reach the Ranch, gear up and start walking down the road. Nice! They opened the dirt road! I can drive to the trail head! Love it!

I'm the only car in the lot as I start off towards Mushroom Springs. No critters in sight.

Nor do I see any critters along the entire hike. :(

But I do find the first signs of Spring with a couple of blooming Spring Parsley!! Woo Hoo!

Good day!

March 7 - Valley of Fire State Park Nevada

Heading somewhere new for me: Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. I've heard about it before, and today, it'll be my day trip from St George.

It's cloudy when I set off for the park about 7:30am. The drive will take approximately 1.5 hours (or 92 miles). Most of it will be on I-15, then it's south on Hwy 169 basically to the Park.

It's a rolling "desert-y" drive. Love the cactus on the side of the road and I absolutely love the drive through the Virgin River Canyon (I think it's best on the drive north from NV.)

The drive turns very green and verdant on 169 thru the Moapa Valley. Lots of green, cows, and horses. What an oasis in the middle of the desert.

Before I know it I'm turning right and heading into the Park. What a change in landscape!

Park gate is closed so get my own pass and continue. Unfortunately I didn't realize that at the gate was also the trail head for Elephant Rock. Oops! I'm not turning back now.

I try stopping at the Visitor's Center but it's closed as they are an hour behind in time :( So I head into the main part of the park.

It's a colorful rocky landscape that I'm passing through on a two-lane windy road.

I pass the Mouse Tanks just because I heard it wasn't the best place in the park. Perhaps if there's time on my way out.

The next stop is Rainbow Vista; I'll be stopping later as I want to get to the Fire Wave and
White Dome Trails before it gets too crowded.

There are 2 large "Parking" stops, I'm just not sure what they are for but I take a look around at Parking 1.

The 3rd "Parking" spot is the Fire Wave, time to explore the 1.5 mile trail. It starts thru the desert. I find this wonderful white flower sticky out of a plant.

I'm not sure if it's that plants flower or not. But as I continue to walk, I see more of them with the same plant. I know the answer now :)

I also find a beetle.

Lots of birds sounds and I'm lucky to find the one make the best call! He is sure singing his heart out. I stop and listen for a short bit.

There are blooming vetch and several cactus too!

I finally reach a loop and head down. Lots of tracks heading uphill in the sand so I follow. It's the wrong way but the trail is below. However, the good news is that I've found the Fire Wave. And it's awesome!

Fantastic!!

Next stop is White Dome. This is a 1.25 mile trail. Starts out heading past two big rocks and then comes to a rocky down hill section. I pick my way down (this is the "hardest" part of the trail and I'm glad I went clockwise to get this over first and the easy way, downhill).

At the bottom is part of an old movie set.

Then it's down into a small wash w/ rocks on both sides

which leads into a short slot canyon.

The sides are the walks are let's say interesting.

At the end of the slot, I can continue straight on Pinnacles Trail or turn right and continue on the loop. I do wander just a bit on the Pinnacles and then continue the loop.

It's on the return that I have 2 butterfly sightings - probably the same bug. Didn't get a good look, thinking probably Milbert's Tortoiseshell.

The back side of the loop is beautiful and a very easy hike.

Loved it!!

Time to head back to Rainbow Vista.

Definitely more people walking around the trail head.

I start off on the main trail and then veer right thinking that it all ends up in the same place. Nope, I'm heading to the Fire Canyon Overlook. Oops, might as well continue.

Lots of lizards moving about this trail.

Hey! There's an arch!

Soon I reach the overlook which I share with what appears to be some boy scout troop.

Back at the parking lot, I continue my drive down the road stopping for lunch across from the Mouse Tanks (and it's parking is packed).

I eat under a shelter with picnic tables. Only one family to the far left (BBQ'ng) and 2 older guys at the table to the far right.

Pretty peaceful.

There's a big Raven hanging around looking for scraps near the 2 guys. The guys knew it was there but decided to leave a backpack and what looks like a few granola bars at the picnic table while they go back to their truck.

They were gone for several minutes and during that time, the Raven flew to the table, picked through the bars and took off with one. Not sure how the guys didn't notice. The kids behind me were watching and talking about.

I probably should have said something but ... I have an evil streak I guess.

Well, the Raven came back and took another bar.

One of the guys came back to the table confused when the 2 bars were missing. I think he figured it out when the Raven came back. :)


After lunch I head out to the main road and continue west.

My first stop is supposed to be Atahl Rock but it looks crowded so I continue around the loop to Arch Rock. I park and start looking for this arch. I even wander down a wash. The rocky landscape is pretty but no arch. But I did see this very large lizard crawling down the side of a rock.

I decide to give in and head back to my car and back to Atahl Rock. Ohhh! I see a sign that says Arch Rock and look up and Da,Da! It's a small one. I turn around to get my photo.

I head back to Atahl Rock and now there are plenty of parking. I start over to the rock, up the stairs to the petroglyphs.

So lucky to have it all to myself.

One last stop before it's time to head home, the Beehives. It's a bit farther to the west. When I arrive,  there are many people there. But I find one "beehive" that's in the clear!

Now it's time to head back east and then to St George.

As I'm nearing the Visitors Center when I see a bunch of people standing on the side of the road. I look to my left and yea, Bighorn Sheep!!!

Great ending to an awesome day!!

March 6 - Angels Landing & The Watchman (Zion National Park)

Well it's that time of year when I break up the monotony of a Salt Lake winter and head south to St George.

Today I'm heading to Zion National Park to hopefully hike to Scout's Landing - it's, for people like me, who refuse to hike a narrow edge of Angel's Landing. Having chains are does not matter. I say hopefully because the Zion buses are not yet running so there could be a parking issue. But it's a Friday, it's not Spring Break yet and many foreign visitors are not allowed into this country because of the Covid virus. It should be empty ... but it's Zion National Park after the Big 5 campaign so it's a zoo.

To mitigate, I leave my home a bit after 5am and should get there are 9:30. Fingers crossed.

The drive was uneventful. Lots of cows with newborns and horses along the way.

I arrive at the park just before 9:30. Not many cars lined up at the gate yet so my hope for a parking spot is getting higher.

I stop at the Visitor's Center for a potty break and I see my 1st butterfly of 2020; a Mourning Cloak! Yea!

From there I head down the park road past the Lodge to the Grotto; the parking for Angel's Landing. Shoot! Crap, there are no spots and people parked along the road. Grrr! I head back to the Lodge - hey, there are a few deer in the woods!

At the lodge, surprise, I find a spot. Shoot! It's 20 minute parking only for guest registration. So my big fear is happening :(

I head out south thinking of alternatives but across from the Lodge is Emerald Pools parking. The Lower Pools and this lot closed except 6 spots. Yes, I have parking!!

The downside is I have a 1/2 mile walk down the Grotto Trail to get to the Angels Landing trail head but that's OK, I get to hike up to Scout's Lookout!! (The trail is 2 miles with a 1000 ft gain.)

The trail starts by crossing a bridge over the Virgin River; it's a bit low today but probably normal for this time of year.

The trail is pretty flat and a bit sandy. Then it's starts up the hill along some long switchbacks. The going is not really hard for a while and then the grade gets steeper.

I find one flower in bloom - Wallflower, both white and purple vetch and a few flowering shrubs.

Up, up, I go.

Just when I fading, I cross bridge

and thankfully the trail flattens as it passes between 2 rocks walls (Refrigerator Canyon). Pretty views in here.

I actually think the end is near and then the cruel realization, I heading back uphill along a series of steep switchbacks named "Walter's Wiggles" - 21 switchbacks!

It feels like a lifetime but I finally reach Scout's Landing and my 1st views of the Angels Landing.

I head up a bit higher up a trail to a viewpoint and this is where I stop for a rest. (The guy on the left under to tall pine tree is where I was standing minutes earlier.)

After a bit, I head back to Scout's Lookout

and then closer the Angel's Landing. Seeing it up close confirms the fact that I have no interest is climbing it.

I stop to talk to a volunteer about the CA Condors at Zion. They had one mated pair last year and they had a successful chick! Yea #1000 chick in the US!!!

Well, it's time to head back down. Lots of folks coming up and I have no idea where all these people are parking.

Nothing exciting on the return except when I'm about back at the bridge over the Virgin River, I see a beautiful tiny Southwestern Orangetip!!! (The first of many today!)

I stop at the bridge for some river briefly and then head back down the Grotto Trail to the Lodge. I find about 6 deer on the return!

At the Lodge, I stop for lunch in the Cafe. Pretty darn good cheeseburger!!! (And some very much needed energy.)

When I get to my car, it's just after 1pm. I still have plenty of time, so let's hike the Watchman. It's only 3.3 miles (350+ft) I hope I have the energy. :)

So it's back to the Visitor's Center and I start the Watchman Trail. Hey, I find my 1st lizard of the day as I head along the river.

The trail crosses a road and then starts uphill.

I'm seeing more Orangetips along the way. And Beckers Whites; I thought they were Marbles until one landed and I got a closer look.

I also find several Paintbrush only in one area of the trail.

I'm definitely tired and struggling even though it's only 350ft climb. But pushing along.

A Mourning Cloak and a Comma sighting keeps me moving along to the final viewpoint.

When I get to the top, I find a shady spot on the rocks and take a rest. Great view!

Lots of Orangetips and Whites flying up here. In fact, a Becker's White and Orangetip got into a fight and the Orangetip landed feet from me! Lucky me!

Time to head down. Not far from the start of the tree, there is a small herd of deer that I pass.

And I stop briefly at the River and then start my way to St George.

Awesome day!