Oct 23 - Sentry Peak (Antelope Island)

Mostly cloudy day with highs in the low 50s.

I was planning on heading up to the mountains but 20 degree temps with cloudy skies is a bit too cold so I decided to drive up to Antelope Island.

I arrive around 8:30 and it's still sunny but clouds are rolling in.

Tons of ducks (definitely and Shovelers out there) out on both sides of the causeway.

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.

All of the lone male bison are gone this morning except one sitting on the ridge behind the Visitor's Center.

I roll past the fence line and hey, there's a rainbow (straight up - weird but cool).

There are also some bison under that rainbow. :)

As I roll past Frary Peak, I see a group of either Pronghorn or deer ahead of me on the west side of the road. As I near, they're deer! They are moving towards the road so I pull off and wait. They all cross the road. There's one buck in the herd; he's not a big buck like I usually see but hey, he's got a big harem!

While I'm waiting for the deer to cross, I see a herd of bison within 100 yards of the deer.

Once they cross, I roll up to the small herd of bison. (I think these bison have been hanging out on the lake bed the last few weeks.) They are moving slowly towards the road. I pull off and wait for them to cross.

So cool to hear their hooves on the road and them munching the grasses (oh, and the grunting.)

I "push" my way through and continue along.

Farther down the road, there's a larger herd of bison and they are crossing the road as I roll up. Way cool!

Again, I'm thru but as I near the Ranch guess what? Yep, another large herd of bison crossing the road. How lucky am I today?!

I move thru. On the lake bed north of the Ranch, there are bison.

There are bison in the fenced garden on the west side of the dirt road to the Sentry Peak trail head. Wow! After several weeks of seeing not many bison, they're all back and visible again!! Fun, fun!

I park at the trail head, gear up and I'm off into the 33 degree day.

Lots of construction near the trail head. There's a couple of guys there. I ask what's happening and am told that they are installing a water line to the Ranch - big tank to catch the winter run-off. Makes sense because sometimes the Ranch closes the bathroom because water levels are low. Sounds like a good improvement.

Up the trail I go.

Quiet walk, No critter, no bugs and only a few flowers hanging on at this point.

Soon I reach the top; beautiful day!

I cross the ridge and start back down.

As I approach Mushroom Springs again, I see Pronghorn sprinting south near the trail head and they are moving!! I hope they pop back out again soon.

When I'm heading east on the last stretch, I find them! All grouped up and still moving south. So cool!

I reach my car. There's now a herd of bison near the mountains west of the parking lot - I think these are the garden guys. There's another herd a bit north and east of the parking lot on the lake bed.

I head north passing lots of bison along the way. 

And some Falls colors tucked in the mountain crevasses.

Thanks to a guy stopped with a large lens hanging out of his car, I find that deer herd all bedded down in the grasses.

What a perfect end to a fantastic day!!