My Utah Adventure 2025

It's Easter and I'm heading to Antelope Island. As I arrive, there are bison on tip of island directly behind the VC in the fire burnt section. Kinda odd seeing them there. I head south towards the Ranch. There is a Chukkar around the curves. I also find a Burrowing owl for the 1st time this year!! It's quiet until just before the Frary Peak turn-off where I'm stopped by a lone deer (doe) crossing the road. Very exciting because I don't see many anymore. While stopped for the deer, I see a Porcupine in the trees. A rare sighting for Spring.  Rolling up in front of Frary Peak, I see a herd of bison with babies near the watering hole!! First baby sighting of the year!! There are 2 bison (probably males) a bit farther down the road but still in front from Frary Peak. While stopped for the bison, I hear some Pheasant calls. At some point in the drive, I'm buzzed by a Curlew flying overhead. And I spot a long Pronghorn on the lakebed. My intention is to hike the Sent...

 Sunny day with temps near 80 degrees - quite the warm-up. After an early exit from work, I set off for a hike up Lambs Canyon Road. It had a pretty good melt on it last time I was up; I wouldn't be surprised for it to be almost melted out. And I'm looking for butterflies; specifically Anglewings. I arrive just after noon. I didn't have to walk very far down the road when I ran into CA Tortoiseshells. Lots at the very start of the road and dribbling off the farther I got but still there even at the TH. The road is clear for probably a 1/2 mile and then snowy patches but for the most part I could navigate past the snow in open spots. Surprised that it wasn't until the last 1/4 mile or so, the part with the most snow coverage, until I saw my 1st Mourning Cloak. Actually, only saw a handful of them today. Saw over 20 CA Tortoiseshells. At the TH, I'm wishing I brought my Spikes but since I didn't, I passed on walking a portion of the trail. The road south of the TH...

 Another sunny mid-50s day. Heading back to Antelope Island to hike Sentry Trail. Arrive at the gate just after 8am and again I'm waiting in line. Only 3 cars this time but waiting is such a weird concept for me at the Island (and I'm not liking it). No excitement of the causeway. Still waiting on the migration to begin. I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch. There's a couple of bison near the VC. On the curves, I have to stop for 2 Chukkars crossing the road.  There are a few more bison across from the Burrowing Owls (which are still hiding). Oddly, there are bison along the curves down from the Burrowing Owls. Don't see bison here that often but today is the day! Rolling across White Rock, there is a small herd of Pronghorn on the slopes. Across from Frary Peak is clear. But after the outhouse, I see a herd of bison moving towards a road crossing (to the east). I wait on them as they near the road and then they stall. So I move past and they cross behind...

Mostly sunny day with highs in the upper 40s and it's time for a hike in the sun!! One of the few Friday in months with sun. (And it's ok because we've finally crossed the 500inches of snow this year; making it 3 straight years above average in snowfall - woot! woot!) I leave around 7:30 and arrive at the gate around 8 to at least 9 cars lined up - what is going on!! I get to the gate and the lady says there is a running race today. Ok, where do I avoid. "East side" Ok, heading straight to White Rock. There are bison around the VC this morning and scattered on the west side. I've only the 2nd car in the lot. The weather is in the low 40s; good enough for no jacket but that wind is blowing strong from the NE. I need a jacket; unzipped and blowing in the wind but needed. I start up the trail and quickly hear Curlew. And I do find 2 of them; the only ones of the day. When I get to the top of the hill, I spot 2 Chukkars. I continue east along the loop spotting lot...

 Cloudy (possible hazy sunshine) with highs in the low 50s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike the Gravel Pit trail today. It's in the low 40s when I arrive on the causeway and it's cloudy. The Avocet population has dramatically increased over the last week. I reach the Island and head south. (BTW: there are no bison behind the VC this morning). It's a very quiet drive until I find a decent sized herd of bison on the plateau just south of the toilets (past Frary Peak). There's also a small herd on the south side of that plateau. At the Ranch, there are no bison in view. I turn and head north for the TH. On the way north, I notice a small group of bison on the White Rock ridge just above the Frary Peak toilets. Hmm, hoping they are not blocking Beacon Hill again this week. I reach the TH and I'm the only car. I gear up and start up the trail. I'm not far from my car when I see my favorite Spring bird, the Curlew! I thought I heard them last week but couldn...

 Cloudy day with some sun breaking thru and temps in the mid-50s. Heading up Lambs Canyon after work (around noon) to check out the snow situation. I sure wish the sunny and mid-70s of the last 2 days continued today because I'd have a high chance of seeing some Anglewings but not expecting anything today but a nice walk and a flowing creek to listen to. I arrive to clear roads at least at the start. Was expecting this because of the low snow levels I saw last time I was here. Even the hillside on both sides are clear. Quite unlike the end of March. Looking for Spring flowers poking out of the ground but still too early. The road is clear and then becomes patchy snow for probably 1/2 the hike. Then it becomes snow covered. I find some Bigfoot tracks on the side of the road. No really just old snowshoe tracks. Thought they were interesting and funny. Road a little slushy to walk but I try to find more solid treks to make life easier. Too I'm at the TH. The sides of the road are ...

 Mostly sunny day with highs in the low 50s. Heading up to Antelope Island today to hike the Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill Trail. I should go longer but I want to catch the end of the FL game (it's tourney time and I have them winning it all). See a pheasant (male) along the highway on the way up. I arrive on the causeway to 41 degrees and cloudy. There's blue sky to the NW but it'll be awhile. Crossing the causeway was quiet; waiting for the migration to start. I arrive on the Island and head south towards the Ranch. There is one bison on top of the hill beyond the west side road. It's quiet until reaching the White Rock area where there is a big herd of bison along the ridge line. I see one male pheasant running across the road in the Frary Peak area. But I do see 2 bison just before the pit toilets. And not too far after that I catch the end of a small group of Pronghorn crossing the road. I reach the Ranch and there's no bison to be seen which means I should hike Sentr...

Sunny day with highs near 60 degrees Heading up to the Island today to hopefully hike the White Rock Trail. Sunny, upper 30s as I cross the causeway.  I arrive on the Island with 3 Bison behind the VC and a lone Pronghorn on top of the ridge to the west side of the Island. One bison in the sagebrush and Chukkars. Roll up just past the Gravel Pit turnoff - big herd of bison on the hill and next to the road. Also a few on the other side of the road by the Owl burrows. No animals at White Rock. In front of Frary Peak, I see a Pheasant (male). And a bit farther down the road 4 hens - don't see hens often. And still farther, more Pheasant. As I've said, they've done really well this winter. I reach the Ranch and a see a small herd of bison well past Sentry Peak. I'm thinking I should be hiking that today but decide to turn around and head for White Rock Trail. As I near the Gravel Pit, there a good size gathering of bison on the east facing not far from the bison still grazi...