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...

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...