My Utah Adventure 2025

 It's my 60th birthday. Didn't think I'd see 30 and now I've double that! Yahoo! And despite forecasts of rain for today for several days, Mother Nature threw me a birthday present with sunny (mostly sunny skies) so I can celebrate with a birthday hike!!  It's not sunny in Salt Lake this morning but the forecast says otherwise so I'm heading up to Antelope Island to hike Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill. Happy to say the farther north I get, the clearer the skies and when I reach the causeway, 1/2 the Island is in the sun with 45 degree temps. The causeway drive was uneventful. When I reach the Island I head south towards the Ranch. I'm checking for Owls today. There are 3 bison behind the VC near the lakebed and one on top of the hill. I spot a Chukkar perched on a rock on the curves. Surprised he let be stop right across from him. A bit farther down the road, and still on the curves, is another Chukkar perched on a rock alongside the road. I stop next to him as w...

 Sunny day with temps in the low 60s before a storm is coming late Sunday. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike Sentry Peak today. It's in the mid-30s when I arrive on the causeway. Quiet drive across - no hawks, no eagles, even the duck population has shrunk - just open water. I reach Island and head south towards the Ranch. There are two bison behind the VC down near the lakebed and one on the hilltop. Unfortunately, I'm behind a guy in a pickup with a tiny dog looking like he's ready jump out of the window going less than 25 mph. Hoping he turns towards the west side of the Island but no luck. A normal person would pull-off so cars can pass but this guy is just owning the road this morning. I can stay behind this guy any longer so I decide to hike Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill. There are two cars parked with a couple of runners standing by one of the cars. I also see a bison staring back. Crap! Not hiking this today. As I turn around, I see a whole herd of bison stand just bey...

 Sunny day with temps near 50. Heading up to hike up Lambs Canyon Road. Not sure what to expect with the lack of snow this winter but I'm pretty sure I will need the micro-spikes. I arrive a little after 1pm. The road is snow covered and packed but there can't be more than 6-12 inches snow. The western slopes are pretty much snow-free. A bit sad for the end of February but it still will be a nice walk so up I go. I quickly find moose scat and tracks not far my start. A bit farther is fresher looking moose scat. No ice on the stream as it is flowing. Wonderful sound! I do hear/see a few birds as I head up. Lovely views despite the snow levels. Up farther, I find coyote scat. Soon I'm at the trail head.  The trail looks pretty packed but I decide not too venture up today. Time to head down. Nice day!

 Sunny early morning than turning cloudy with a slight chance of rain with temps around 35 degrees. Heading up to Antelope Island for a hike before it gets cloudy (hopefully). It is sunny on the drive up. I see a Pheasant (male) along the highway. As I cross the causeway, I see a Bald Eagle who looks like had breakfast this morning. And tons of ducks. The numbers seem to be getting larger now though it seems early. I arrive on the Island and head directly for White Rock TH. The plan is to hike White Rock up to Beacon Hill and then back. Just hoping the trail is clear. There are 2 bison behind the VC along the shoreline.   And a couple uphill. When I cross over to the other side, I find a large herd behind the VC. There are also a few near Bison Point. I parked (there are probably 5-6 cars already there), gear up and start up the trail. It is a beautiful morning and the trail (at least at the start) is clear even though there's snow on the grass. I make it up the hill with...