March 3 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 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 well.

Continuing down from the pull-off, I pull over to look for Burrowing Owls. It's probably too early but what the heck. Guess what, there's 2 Pronghorn!! One is feeding and the other is lying down pretty chill in the morning sun.

Moving on, when I reach White Rock, there's a small herd of Pronghorn lying down about 3/4th up the mountain. They are all basking in the morning sun.

A little farther but still White Rock, a herd of 60-70 bison just finished up crossing the road.

Oddly (and dangerously) there's guy walking past the herd. He's 30-50 feet away. Not too smart. Some of the bison are a little excited but he's lucky today.

In the Frary Peak area, there is a herd of bison heading for the water hole.

I make a pit stop and the toilets and there is another herd of bison tucked up in the mountains.

I reach the Ranch and Sentry Peak looks bison-free.

I then head out to the barn to look for Owls. As I walked thru the Owl-less barn, I see two bison not too far out the eastern door.

But it's a safe distance and I head for the wooded area. I find no Owls among the tree branches.

Time to head north. But as I walk back to my car, I see another herd of bison north of Sentry Peak aligned with the Ranch.

On the return trip, I stop another herd of bison just north of the water hole all laying down.

The bison are still at the water hole but laying down now.

Also the bison in front of White Rock are still there as are the Pronghorn. And as are the 2 Pronghorn near the Burrowing Owl burrows.

I reach the Gravel Pit TH and there's one car park. It's windy so I have my light winter coat as a wind blow as I start up the trail.

Just a quiet walk; me and wind.

No critters to be seen.

Soon I'm on top of Beacon Hill looking down on that bison herd below.


After a short break, it's time to head back.

Wonderful day for a Birthday! (OK, it can rain now :))

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