Nov 8 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Another sunny day today -- reaching the upper 50s. Thought about heading back into the mountains today but decided instead for an easier day at Antelope Island.

Today I'm hiking the White Rock Trail. I did the same hike a few weeks ago, just wondering if that small pronghorn herd is still in the White Rock valley.

Crossing the causeway, a few of the local cows are grazing pretty far west on the Salt Lake flats. I've never seen them that far but then the water has been extremely low for 2 summers now so why not?!

I see quite a few geese in their V-formation. Strange thing is, they're flying northeast -- should be going the other way, it's Fall!

I head around the Visitor's Center - no bison to be seen. I make the final turn before the road to White Rock and there's a small herd of deer: three doe and a buck. It's an 8-point buck! And he seems to be following one doe pretty closely.

I get to the trail head and start my hike. There are 3 other people heading in the same direction I am. I think about changing things up and doing the trail counter-clockwise ... but why break my routine today.

It's about 43 degrees, sunny with a light breeze. There are no bison around that I can see. There are still a few sunflowers and some yellow composites still in bloom but very few.

I do get surprised by a dragonfly - hearty little guy especially after 2 days of frost.

The views are nice as usual as I climb. Looking for animals and it took me a long time before I finally see 3 bison in the distance to the northeast. Unfortunately the trail is heading in the opposite direction.

Not far before the trail levels off, I see a lone bison moving along a ridge- just the bison and some large boulders.

Soon I'm at the high point. Looking over the valley below, there are no bison. I can't see any pronghorn but the valley is big and they are hard see.

As I start across the ridge line, I see 3 bison on the slopes to the north. (Again, not in the direction I'm heading.)

I'm heading down the far side of the valley and I spot something in the distance. I stop for a look. It's a herd of pronghorn (maybe the same ones as before).

The herd is much larger, probably 40-50 animals!

It'll be interesting to see if they stay all winter -- but here's hoping we get so much snow that they close the road to trail head and I can't find out.

On the final stretch, I'm surprised to see a few butterflies. Two Checkered White, two Clouded Sulphers and over 60 Western Pygmy Blues still flying!!!

Another awesome day on Antelope Island!