My Utah Adventure 2025

Finally after days of rain/snow, we finally have a sunny day! Heading up to Antelope Island to hike up to Beacon Hill. I'm anticipating snowfall - we got around 2 inches at my house. Lots of fog on the drive up but at I hit Syracuse, things clear up - yea! There are still patches of fog even as I drive across the causeway but before hitting the Island, things clear up. I do spot a Bald Eagle very near the road. I stop to take a photo. There's a guy already pulled-off down near the shoreline with a nice close up view. One of those lifetime events that the bird doesn't fly off. I'm trying to not disturb his "win". On the Island, I head south towards there Ranch. The Island looks wonderful all covered in snow for the 2nd time this winter. There are a few bison south of the fence line. White Rock is quiet but beautiful. Across from Frary Peak, I spot a Pheasant on the ground. He runs as I stop. Looking at the "dummy" photo I took to remember, there's...

Cloudy day with temps in the 30s and rain/snow coming around mid-day. Not typical hiking day for may but after several days of rain/snow (over 3ft on snow in the mountains) and a relatively poor winter hiking this season, I'm heading out. Rain/snow is supposed to start around 11 am so I should have time to squeeze a hike in. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning; the goal is out to Beacon Hill. Cloudy skies as I head out. To the east and south it's pretty but the snow is coming from the northwest. I get an earlier start (to beat the snow) and arrive at the causeway before 8. No Kestrels on the drive over but there are tons of ducks near the bridge. Largest flocks I've seen in years - maybe they know hunting season is over. (This is kinda fantastic because we've lost 15K W. Grebes to avian flu this year.) On the ice just before reaching the Island are two Bald Eagles! I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch. I see two bison bison the fenceline and one bi...

 Finally some sun on a week-end! And a little bit of snow as well after an unexpected snow squall late yesterday afternoon left about 1 inch of snow on the ground in Salt Lake. Finally looks like winter again! Well its 28 degrees and I'm heading once again to Antelope Island for an actual hike today! When I arrive at the gate, the flag is dead still - yea! Crossing the crossing, I only see ducks near the bridge. I turn and head towards the Ranch. Not going all the way since I took the drive yesterday. But I do want to see what's around Frary Peak; never know if the snow yesterday. Unlike yesterday, there are no bison that are visible near the VC. Hoping they are not strung out along the Gravel Pit because that is my hike today. I reach White Rock area and the Pronghorn are still here! A better picture because of the dusting of snow! On the other end of White Rock, I see a lone coyote. I scan for another because I've seen two here before. Assuming they are mates. I do not se...

Sunny day in the forecast today. Look forward to finally getting to hike. Heading to Antelope Island this morning. When I arrive at the gate, the flag is still but there is no sun. It's still under clouds but sun is coming from the south; it's just going to take some time. I only find ducks along the causeway. And to note: we've had temps in/near the 60s this week so all the ice along the causeway is gone; simply open water. I reach the Ranch and head to the Ranch. I see lots of bison above the road long the rocks/S-curve. Hoping they will not be near the Gravel Pit as that is my hike today. Rolling up to the White Rock area, I find a herd of 20'sh Pronghorn on it's northern edge. They seem to be hanging out here recently. Across from Frary Peak, a coyote crosses the road (heading east) in front of me and then disappears in the grasses. It isn't until I'm almost at the Ranch do I find a decent size herd. And there's a smaller herd south of the Sentry Tra...

 Sunny day with highs in the low 30s; sounds like a perfect day. But when I leave my house, its 24 degrees with a strong NE wind. Boo! But I'm heading up to Antelope Island anyway. On the drive up, I see a hawk and 3 Kestrels; two of which were perched on the same sign -- nice! When I reach the causeway, yes the wind is still blowing - no hiking today. :( No action crossing the causeway except the flock of ducks on the east side of the bridge are still there. I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch.  I see my first herd of bison (only about 10) up near the White Rock ridge. I spot my 1st Porcupine of the winter across from Frary Peak. Rolling up on the Pit Toilet, there is what looks like a decent size bison herd on top of the mesa near the moutains. And south of the Ranch (not far off of the Sentry Trail) is another decent sized herd. I stop at the Ranch to look for Owls and again have no luck. :) Time to head north where I see 2 smaller herd of bison on in the cr...