Heading to Antelope Island to do the White Rock Trail. (It's been awhile since I've been on it.)
When I get to the pay station I notice a sign announces that The bugs are back, no refunds. Ugh! I ask the ranger and she indicated that the midges have hatched on the causeway but the no-see-ums aren't bad yet. "Yet"? What does that mean? -- but I'm here, let's give it a shot. (I knew the day was near that the bugs would arrive, temperatures much too warm.)
I head around towards the Visitor's Center, past the beach, there's a few bison south of the Visitor's Center and several under Bison Point. I see 2 cars pulled over, one looking towards a bison herd. But they're far away so maybe they see something else. I drive thru slowly and catch something that looks like pronghorn laying down. I turn my car around and pull-off for a better look with my camera. Nope, they're just rock pronghorn. :( I turn around and continue to White Rock Bay.
Unfortunately, I didn't know today's the Buffalo Run (a yearly event). Folks can run 50 or 100 miles on specified trails throughout the park. And, it's starts at White Rock Trailhead. Ugh! Lots of cars. But I came here to do White Rock, I'm doing White Rock -- chances are slim for animals though -- too much foot traffic.
Surprisedly, "my" parking space at the TH is still open so I take it. Lots of runners completing a loop and heading east on the dirt road towards the east side of the island. I ask the folks manning the TH if I can walk the trail. They said yes and enjoy the company (250+ people running).
So off I go. It's such of beautiful morning in the low 50s just before 10am. (And no bugs! Yea!) Lots of people heading down the trail towards and then past me (I'm going up the trail.). Most look pretty happy -- a downhill section always does that. I say "hi" to them as they pass and most say "hi/good morning" or give me a little hand wave. It's kinda fun especially the lady with a tutu over her running shorts :)
I continue to climb, lots of the pink Redstem Stork's Bill and tons of yellow Spring Parsley (Biscuit Root).
These plants are in the Parsley family a host plant of Swallowtails. Hoping to see some today.
There's a herd of 5 bison below.
As I'm going up, I'm still looking for critters, even with all the traffic, you just never know.
But then the hike gets very humbling for me -- it's not that I've never got passed on trail by people jogging up the trail. But today, I'm getting passed by folks that are on their 2nd loop of their trail - I'm not even sure I can do this trail back-2-back. Very humbling.
I make it too the top. Views of White Rock Bay are stunning as usual - much more white along the ever expanding beach line -- we need rain!! And the snowy mountain top peaking out between Elephant Rock and the island's rocky slopes.
In front of me are Dooly Knob and Frary Peak. Lots of folks on the trail down beyond across the ridge -- a whole herd them. Not sure if that's a checkpoint or there's just a bunch of people running as a group. But after a little bit, they all take off running again to complete the upper White Rock loop (I always do the longer lower loop.)
There are more people coming up the trail below -- kinda looks like an ant farm with all these tiny moving dots (i.e., people) marching along in a line.
I can see the east side of the island now and start the little curve north (before the lone switchback which then heads south down the ridge). There's a group of bikers at the switchback -- are they resting, looking at something,.... I look up (Beacon Knob is a 100-200 feet above) and there's a lone pronghorn looking down seeming at the group of bikers. (Always pays to keep looking!)
I wonder if the group sees him. I keep going forward slowly hoping to get closer -- he stays enjoying view (hey, there's bikers and a line of runners below). As the bikers head in my direction, the pronghorn moves from the edge and disappears. Fun!
The views east are great -- lots of lake bottom to look at (little water in Farmington Bay) but still pretty.
Looks like there are some fires burning south towards SLC and a few north of the island. I'm guessing they're wildfires -- we've already had several this winter.
As I continue across the ridge, I have a few runner coming up behind me (the two loop folks) and lots of people coming at me (north on the trail). I'm finally meeting all those "ants" as I go downhill; and they as climb. Some are walking now, others still jogging -- huffing and puffing upwards. But still they say "hi"! One after another after another.... They are coming down from either Elephant Rock or Split Rock. I try to give them the trail and move off if there's someone coming from behind me --- they're working way harder than me. One guy even thanks me for giving the trail to them today -- that's pretty nice and thoughtful after running that far.
I finally make it to the bottom and start the hike back towards Buffalo Point and the TH.
Now I can have some peace because there are no runners along this stretch. I didn't think I'd enjoy all the company but it's kinda fun!
I start hearing the Meadowlarks/Horned Larks and some Chukkars. And I see my 1st bfly of the day - a Cabbage White nectaring on the Biscuit Root.
I also see a lizard.
I make it back to my car and head to the Buffalo Grill for their Bison Burger - yum :)
Afterwards, I decide to drive the east side of the island and take a short walk up the Sentry Trail to Mushrooms Spring. I'm curious about what bflies are flying now -- saw Checkered and Becker's White last time I was there a couple weeks back. I suspect Crescents and Checkerspots might be flying now.
The bison are out and near the road today. There are 3 laying down (I had to stop) and 4-5 by the trail the runners are coming down to cross the road and head to the Lakeside Trail (I stopped too.) More bison under the White Rock Ridge -- probably driven off by the running traffic. Little herds all down to the ranch.
And still lots of runners on that Lakeside Trail which goes the 12 miles to the Ranch and then they head back.
I get to the Ranch, the parking lots were overflowed into the horse parking area --- some event going on -- guess I'm not checking on the Owls. I head to the Sentry Trail parking which is empty and start heading up the trail.
There's a large herd of bison to the south. They are broken in two smaller herds. I'm walking parallel to the first herd - they're 100-200 yards away. As I get nearer, some of them start walking towards the other herd a little south.
I spot a white bfly. And see others flying including some Sulphers. It's mid-day so trying to get them landed is next to impossible. But I do find a Checkered White nectaring on some flowers.
And a Becker's White.
There are moths flying too.
I'm watching the bison herd when I notice an animal running right past the bison. That coyote is moving! He stops for a few seconds and continues running in the direction of Mushroom Springs. I soon lose him.
I arrive at Mushroom Springs. It smells like the bison had been here earlier in the day. I start walking around the muddy and wet areas looking for bflies/dragonflies. I see more Whites (including a Becker's White) and Sulphers and then finally my trip pays dividends - a Mylitta Crescent mud puddling!!!!
I keep walking up the stream/mud and come to a pool of water. I scare what looks like a Kildeer -- black ring around the neck - brown. Hoping to see him again on the way around the pool.
The spring water is overflowing the large metal container. The overflow is causing the little stream/mud/pool of water. I see another Mylitta right near the overflowing water - again in the mud.
I walk back down to the pool of water and start heading around hoping to find that bird. I don't see the bird but I do find more Mylitta. I counted 5.
I complete my loop and head back to the TH. Happy I took the detour!
Driving back down the island, there was one pronghorn on a ridge near where I was hiking earlier. I wonder if that the one I saw this morning.
The bison were still there drawing some crowds. Two of the bison are eating -- must be good stuff, The one is licking his lips!
Another great day on Antelope Island!!!!
And to the all the men and women who ran in the Buffalo Run today, including the lady in the tutu, the guy heading south down the White Rock ridge encouraging his fellow runners heading north, and the guy heading down the Lakeside Trail towards the Ranch carrying the America Flag on a pole resting on his shoulders - Congrats! And hats off to your efforts and your spirit! Truly impressive!
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