Sept 28 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with temps in the upper 60s again.

Was planning on heading into the mountains today, but heading to Antelope Island to be more alone.

Crossing the causeway, there are far less shorebirds. I don't know why but they're gone. It's a little weird.

I reach the island and head directly for the trail. There a few bison out behind the Visitor's Center and several more on the other side of the island near the entrance to Bridger Bay.

Heading toward the White Rock parking, there are a few more near the campsites.

And hey, there are only 2 cars in the parking lot. I get the quiet people-less day I was hoping for. :)

It's a bit chilly with the strong north wind so a fleece goes on before I start. 

Mostly dry vegetable as I start towards the switchbacks. A few sunflowers, 

Rabbitbrush (I think) 

and Mullein.

Quiet walk, just me and the wind.

I see a few dragonflies zipping around as I head towards the White Rock overlook.

In the White Rock meadow, there are no animals to be seen.

I work my way to the ridge and then take in the inner loop.

I see several Clouded Sulphurs, 

a Juba Skipper, 

Meadowhawk dragonflies, grasshoppers and one lizard as I complete the inner trail and reach the switchbacks again.

Then it's back to my car.

As I head out down the causeway, a coyote runs out of the vegetation along the south side of the causeway. He seems a bit freaked out but stop for a pee.

And then he keeps running farther out onto the Farmington Bay lake bed.

Good day!

Sept 12 - Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Sept 12 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill Trail

Sunny with temps in the low 80s. Heading to Antelope Island to hopefully hike the Sentry Trail again. It all depends on where the bison are.

The birds are still increasing as I cross the causeway this morning.

When I arrive on the island, I see a bison behind the Visitor's Center before I even turn south.

After turning south, I find a group of Pronghorn also behind the island. I spot in the pull-off to watch. They are definitely active.

Wow! What a great start!

I continue a little farther, stopping to watch a lone bison walking along the lake bed.

I stop to look for the Burrowing Owls but find a lone Pronghorn in the distance.

I continue along not seeing any other critters until just before the Ranch where I find a herd of bison. And that herd continues behind the Ranch and continuing south past the Ranch. There are even bison near the Sentry Trail. 

Hiking Plan B is in effect and that's the Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill.

I turn around and start may north stopping for a lone bison along the road that I missed earlier and farther along, 2 additional bison and even farther along, a small group of bison near the mountains.

Oh, and there's a Pronghorn standing in the middle of the road. Of course, I stop; he's in my way.

I also spot for the Burrowing Owls. There are 4 out; 2 near one burrow and 2 at the other.

Next stop is the Gravel Pit trail head. I have it all to myself at this point. I gear up and start up the trail. 

Quiet trail, no critters but a few dragonflies (both Meadowhawks and Darners), grasshoppers, moth and one Common Checkered Skipper (seen him at the intersection with the Beacon Hill trail).

There is, however, a huge herd of bison in the White Rock meadow!! It's been a while since I seen a big herd down there!

I head up to Beacon Hill to take a quick break before heading back to my car.

Then it's over to the west side of the island passing by several bison on the northeast side of Bison Hill and one Burrowing Owl behind the Visitor's Center.

Along the causeway, not far from the exit, I spot a coyote. Great ending!!

Good day!

Sept 26 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Partly cloudy day with highs in the mid-70s.

Heading up to Antelope Island to hopefully hike Sentry Trail.

I arrive on the causeway after 7:30am. It's not partly cloudy, it's mostly closed. But it looks great as the sun is rising.

Behind the Visitor's Center to the gate, I see one bison walking south on the lake shore

and several lone male bison in the vicinity.

One is just crossing the road before I roll up.

But those are the last bison (or any critter for the matter - even the Burrowing Owl are even hiding or started their migration) I see until I reach Ranch where there's a small herd of bison in the overflow parking. I pull in to check them out.

This is why many of the signs are bend (scratching/head butting posts)

Also, there's another small herd at Mushroom Springs; no hiking Sentry Trail today.

I turn around and head north to the Gravel Pit.

I pull into an empty parking lot and start my hike on this cloudy 64 degree morning.

Lots of mosquitoes out this morning. Thankfully, they are only in pockets.

Nothing happening on this hike; quiet and not critters. There's are no visible critter in the White Rock meadow either. :(

I head up to Beacon Hill where I find critters. Horses down below running the trail. Pretty cool!

Time to head back. 

Run into a Park Ranger driving in his car. He says "Hi!" and continues on.

I continue on as well. As I'm heading down the switchbacks to my car when I spot something moving on the hill in front of me. It's a lone Pronghorn!! Love it! That's the way to end a hike!

Back at my car, I head north passing yet another lone Pronghorn and several lone bison on the way out!

Good day!

Sept 7 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs in the mid 90s. Heading to Antelope Island this morning to hike the Sentry Trail (and avoid the mountain crowds).

I get an earlier start leaving around 6:30am to head up to the island.

Boy, is it hazy out this morning! Looks like winter air quality.

I arrive on the causeway and it's in the low 60s with the sun trying to burn through the haze.

Crossing the causeway there are tons of birds flying in on their southern migration. I'm seeing Shovelers, 

Avocets, etc.

I arrive on the island and head towards the Ranch; first stopping to checkout the sunrise.

But first, I make a quick stop to look at a bison behind the Visitor's Center. There are a few more along the stretch before the fence - Bachelor herd.

Hold on, there's also 3 buck heading to the road!! Two have really nice antlers and the other is a bit smaller. I pull ahead and hope they'll cross the road but they stop in the sagebrush.

I could wait but I want to get to my hike.

I continue on stopping to view the Burrowing Owl family is out enjoying the hazy early morning sun.

There's a bison not far from the Owls taking a roll in the dirt.

I continue on past Frary Peak and on some point get stopped by a large herd of bison crossing the road. Always a great thing to get so close - especially when there are babies!!

While waiting for them to cross, there are coyotes howling in the distance. :)

A bit farther down the road is another herd but it up along the mountains.

I continue down to the Sentry Peak parking, gear up and start my hike towards Mushroom Springs.

Soon I'm up on the long switchback. Seeing lots of small lizards zooming under my feet

and grasshoppers (the small ones). 

There are also Meadowhawk and Darner dragonflies out.

As to flowers, there are still a few Sunflowers, lots of yellow composites and a couple of Rocky Mt Bee Balm.

Before long I reach the top

Not much of a view because of the haze but it's not too bad.

I start across the ridge. I'm approaching the backside of Sentry Peak when I notice 2 "mickey mouse" ears of a mule deer doe looking right at me. Very cool!

I continue along and she soon disappears. I look for her on the other side but she's disappeared.

Time to start heading down.

At one point I again notice a 4 legged creature looking at me from a distance. This time it's a Pronghorn! Very cool!

I continue down to my car and head up the island. I stop one last time at the Burrowing Owls.

At the north end, I head over to the west side looking for critters finding only a few bison.

Awesome day!

Sept 11 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs near 80 degrees.

Heading up to Twin Lakes this morning to do the loop. Got the light winter coat and gloves this morning as it's going to be chilly. (It's only 44 degrees at my house.)

The lower part of the canyon is still changing colors but nothing on the aspens up high yet.

I reach the Silver Lake parking and its 33 degrees (yes, chilly).

The boardwalk is quite frosty this morning as expected with the cold temps.

Ground vegetation is brown (or browning).

Crossing the foot bridge, yea, the lake is finally clear of the gross algae.

There's a family of ducks (mom and old ducklings) swimming under the bridge to the other side.

I follow them around the corner of the lake and then I'm off to Lake Solitude. Not far from the trail split, I spot a young buck still in velvet. He's aware of me but continues along this way.

A bit farther I notice moose tracks on the trail and they're fresh! 

I slow down and really looking around. But I don't have to go far before I run in a large bull moose laying on the trail. He's looking at me at first. Then turns his head looking straight ahead. 

He even yawns.

A content bull moose.

Since I can't get past him, I turn around and head back to the Twin Lakes trail. Before long I'm on the switchback. 

Lots of Pika running around this morning among the rocks.

Then it's uphill to Twin Lakes.

I don't see anyone on the way up (which is great!)

As I round the corner of the dam, I interrupt 3 deer (one buck and two doe) taking their morning drink at the "watering hole".

They didn't stick around long. (Also, this buck did not have velvet on its antlers - I wonder why.)

I wander around a bit before heading back down the hill.

Great day!

Sept 25 - Catherine Pass Loop (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-80s.

My original plan was to hike from the end of Millcreek Canyon out to the western edge of Park City and then heading along the Wasatch Crest to Desolation Lake. And then loop back past Dog Lake. Big hike that I've never done. I've been to the Wasatch Crest stopping short of Desolation Lake by < 1 mile. And I've been to Desolation Lake as an out-n-back. But the loop would have been new (10.5 miles).

However, there's the Neff's fire burning on the Wasatch Front. I can see it from my house. After 3 days of burning it's only 60 acres. But for safety reasons, they closed of all trails north of BCC and south of Millcreek Canyon to the Big Water trail south to BCC. Huge area for such a small fire but it's for safety if the winds pick up and blow the fire east. 

So I decide to go up to Catherine's Pass in LCC. Doing my usual addition of Sunset Pass over to Devil's Castle. But this time, I'm heading down the ski cat road down to the campground then find that trail but my campsite and loop back to the Catherine's Pass trail. Should be good!

I arrive at the trail head just after 8am. The sun is still rising over the peaks and it's in the 40s.

I start up the trail. Again all dry plants at this point 

but I do find an occasional Purple Aster.

Walk is quiet pass only a few folks who are already on the way down.

No moose or deer; just chipmunks.

I reach the Pass and stop for a peek before heading up towards Sunset Pass.

I stop at my favorite view overlooking Catherine Lake and Lake Mary in the distance

before reaching the Pass. I have to continue along because there are 2 guys at the Pass (got there by motorcycles). I continue about 70 feet before stopping for my "Pass" look. 

I continue along getting a glimpse of a Grouse over before arriving near Devils Castle and the Supreme Lift. 

Then it's down the ski cat road, past Devil's Castle

to the campground and over to the Site 16 trail. 

I'm hoping I might find moose; the campground has been closed for a couple of weeks now, perhaps the animals are moving down.

But I only find some very fresh moose scat.

I finally reach the Catherine's Pass trail

and heading down the trail back to my car.

Good day!

Sept 20 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with a high in the upper 70s (yes, a cool down; hopefully it last for a while).

Heading up to hike up to Twin Lakes. Lots of choices but at this point of the season, this is just a comfort hike.

Heading up BCC, the trees continue to change but the colors aren't vibrant this year and in some cases, the leaves are just falling. Mid-canyon, the colors are really nice. Guess its time to hike up to Desolation Lake; need to request a vacation day or two.

Also near mid-canyon, I see a bunch of cars pulled off on the south side of the road with cameras in hand. I suspect its a moose and I do get a glimpse of a moose - looks like a bull. I think about stopping but after looking in my rear view mirror at the number of cars behind me, I decide to continue.

The aspen farther up are either yellowing or fallen; it's a bit disappointing but happens when there's no rain.

I arrive at Silver Lake and shockingly grab the last spot; there wasn't this many people last week perhaps its because of the rain yesterday.

It's 35 degrees when I head out onto the frosty boardwalk. The vegetation is browner this week.

No moose or deer around; just a few ducks in the lake.

I reach the trail and head off to Lake Solitude. 

Boy, people are out early today as I run into 3 people heading back to Silver Lake; a group at the Lake Solitude and 2 people already heading up the big hill to Twin Lakes. Perhaps I should have left earlier.

Along the way to Lake Solitude, I see a buck (same area as last week; could this be the same guy with his velvet shedded?)

a Pika (and his food piles);

a lone deer - oh wait, there's a group of 5 nearby. Looks like a buck, doe and 3 babies. Cool.

Lake Solitude is really low -- need some snow.

I start up the hill behind two people. But I soon pass the two; they are heading back down.

Then it's up to the top and the view down onto Twin Lakes. Lake is definitely lower but still pretty high for this time of year.

I head up to my perch for a rest. So nice and quiet up here; not even a bird. But I do hear water running; I think they've opened the dam to lower the water levels before the snow starts falling. Guess I find out soon when I reach the lake.

I get down from my perch and take a few step down hill when 2 grouse fly! I turn around and track one in a tree. Pretty cool!

Now it's down to the lake.

I decide to take the trail along the lake for just a bit before turning around and heading down hill. I stop on the opposite side of the dam and yes, it's open and running.

Soon I'm on the switchbacks and then down to Silver Lake.

Good day!