Jan 10 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

Partly cloudy day with temp in the mid-30s but a chilly morning with temps in the mid-20s.

Happy New Year! And yes, this is the first hike of the year finally. (All due to snowy/rainy days off.)

Heading up to Antelope Island to hike to Beacon Hill. Hopefully, because there was plenty of bison around the trail when I hiked it New Year's Eve.

I arrive on the causeway some time after 8:30. It's sunny and 29 degrees and that's with the sun beating down on my car.

I see a Kestrel on my crossing and a few hawks flying around but no Eagles. (Oh, plenty of duck hunters too.)

I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch passing 2 bison behind the VC. (That's 2 more bison then I saw on the east side of the Island then on New Year's Eve!)

I'm surprised that there's no snow on the ground. (There's snow at my house.) So much for bringing my waterproof boots. :) But there is a light dusting of snow on the peaks.

Quiet drive until White Rock where there is another 2 bison at the bottom of the mountain.

Across from Frary Peak, I see a coyote drinking some water from pool. As I pull to a stop, he stops and look in my direction. 

As I watch, a flock of Pheasant come flying by in the grasses in front of the coyote. There must be at least 10. They fly and land and then they decide to change locations several times calling in the process. Pretty fun to watch!

I leave as the coyote disappears into the grasses.

Continuing on, there's no critters the rest of the way to the Ranch and none that I can see at the Ranch either. I turn around and head back north.

Again in front of Frary Peak, I see a couple of cars off to the side. As I pass, I see the head and ears of the coyote in the grasses. Yea!

I continue to the TH where there is a single car in the lot and no bison in sight. I gear up, with a wool shirt under my light winter coat as it's chilly. I'm expecting to be hot in the near future. Time to start up the trail.

When I climb out of the pit, I see a group of bison out by the White Rock campground and that's it. Looks like clear sailing (so far). There's also fog or haze over the Salt Lake.

Just a quiet walk up to Beacon Hill. 

As I circle around to climb up, I see a coyote crossing the trail in front of me. He's heading up Beacon Hill and tracking in my direction.

Hey, there are 3 other coyotes as well! 

Two of them cross the trail following the first.

But the 4th seems scared of me and stays put.

I can see 2 of the coyotes uphill from me - that's cool!

I continue walking to the uphill trail passing the lone coyote. He does seem nervous but there's one coyote (I can see it) that's waiting.

I get a good distance and look to see the 4th finally crossing. Good!

I reach the trail and start up Beacon Hill watching for that bison herd I met last time. But it's clear sailing. I reach the end point and enjoy the view.

On the way down, I see a small bison herd in the White Rock meadow. Not sure where the bigger part of the herd is now but happy for a clear trail.

Nothing interesting on the way back to my car very happy with my day: bison, 2 coyote sightings with a total of 5 coyotes and a Kestrel. Not bad!

Crossing the causeway, I stop as there are 3 large spots in the distance. Yep, Bald Eagles.

There's a lone Eagle a little farther down the road.

I also pass 2 Kestrels. And a couple more along the Hwy 177.

Awesome day!