March 23 - Gravel Pit - Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 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 Sentry Peak but after the rains recently I suspect is muddy. Time to head back north.

On the way back, I see a lone Pronghorn.

I reach the Gravel Pit TH (only 1 car there) and start up the trail still in the clouds.

Hearing lots of birds as I hike thru the Pit but see nothing.

But the Bisquitroot are in bloom!!! It's Spring!

It's a quiet walk to Beacon Hill. There are no critters to be seen except 2 Chukkars west of Beacon Hill.

I reach the Hill and start up. I'm about the crest when I meet a man and his dog heading; he warns me of a bison herd ahead. Well, all I really had to do is look up to see them.

I stop to watch for a bit and see a bison scratching his throat on a boulder.

The views are still nice

before heading back.

Good day!

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