Dec 12 - White Rock Loop (Antelope Island)

Supposed to be sunny today (low 40s for a high), perfect hiking weather. Heading to Antelope Island this morning; the plan the upper (or true) White Rock Loop. This is new for me because I usually take the big loop around the valley; the "true" trail stays on the north side of the valley following the curves of the hills. The actual trip is 6.2 miles; the larger loop is around 6.5 miles.

I'm curious to see if that group of pronghorn are still in the valley. A herd of about 20 were there in Oct and an even larger herd in November. But will they still be there today?

Lots of low clouds in the valley this morning -- looks like its snowing in the mountains. As I head north, the skies clear and the sun is out - yea!

It's a chilly 34 degrees as I cross the causeway around 10am. Lots of ice on the Farmington Bay side. Open with a few boats on the Salt Lake side - I'm assuming hardy fishermen. Still quite a few water fowl in the open spots of the Bay.

I head around towards the west, the water looks beautiful this morning! But I see no animals until I reach the White Rock trail head.

There's a lone bison near the trail head. Fortunately for me, two trail runners have to deal with him first. But he causes no problems, quickly crossing and letting the runners by.

When I get to that bison, he's about 20 yards off the trail. We walk parallel with each other for a little while until he drops behind a little hill. If he keeps walking in the same direction, we will meet on the other side of the hill. I'm keeping my eyes open as it's not a meeting I'm looking forward to. The hill ends and no bison; thankfully, he stopped to feed (whew!).

A little further down the trail is another bison about 30 yards off the trail feeding. Up the hill, another bison -- I'll be passing under him soon. I also see a group of about 5 bison to the east in the distance. (Many bison all scattered around.)

Up the hill I go.

As I approach the bison on the hill, he actually backs up from the edge. I don't know if he's a solo or there's a group up there. But soon I'm on he's level and he's by himself.

It's a little frosty up here. Looks like hoar frost -- little frosty flakes.

I see more bison up here.

A little further along, there is a light covering of snow on the ground.

When I get to the White Rock valley, I count 12 bison down below. There're probably in the same group but they are a little scattered.

On the far side of the valley, there are 3 additional bison.

I scan the valley for pronghorn (I remember my binocs this morning) but can't find any -- doesn't mean they not there though.

The view to the east is really pretty - 1/2 snow-covered mountains, fluffy clouds, ....

Down towards Salt Lake City, it's still all socked in with low clouds.

Frary Peak (directly ahead to the south) is lightly covered in snow.

I look over the ridge as I cross but there are no animals on the east side.

After crossing about 3/4 of the ridge, I reach my trail which heads back north and then west towards the bay. The trail drops a little in elevation but never reaches the valley floor like the larger loop. My trail just follows the curves of the hills, in and out and even passes by several drainage areas.

I lose sight of the bison in the valley due to the little hills in the valley -- I never knew the hills were there -- definitely a different perspective on this side of the valley.

Its windy now -- cold breeze from the west. All I can hear is the wind.

I see a hawk flying above. He flies directly overhead before heading off.

I also see a large dark moth fly -- couldn't track him down -- a little surprised to see one this late in the year.

The bison come into view again as I pass them from above -- brown spots in a large valley. I can see them the rest of the way.

I round a bend and I am finally out the wind for bit. I stop when I see some fresh antelope scat. I look around and see nothing -- big valley and hard to see antelope as they blend in so well.

I do hear Chukkars calling. I just passed them but either they stopped calling or I just didn't hear because of the wind.

A little bit further, I see a very fresh antelope track. Very pristine, sharp borders and I can still see the inside of the hoof perfectly imprinted into the ground - one has been by recently. Again I look around but see no antelope.

I continue until I around another bend. I stop and turn to look up the hill I just past and I see something that looks out of place. There are two antelope up there! (I knew those tracks and scat were fresh!)

I continue looking and see even more antelope -- I count 19!

They were heading up the hill but now they are watching me. (Several are laying down.) I pull my binoculars out for a closer look.

I'm so excited that the herd of 20+ I've seen in Oct & Nov are still around! Yea! I watch for a bit before continuing.

One last look at White Rock Bay before heading north to complete the loop.

As I move along, I see a small bird of prey land on some rocks. He's strong auburn color but he flies back into the air. I watch as he hovers in mid air -- definitely looking for something to eat. Pretty cool little guy! I think its a Kestrel.

I complete the circle and start heading back to the trail head. The bison above is still there and it looks like there is another bison with him now. The individuals below are closer together now.

Pretty nice day! So glad I decided to take the "true" trail. Great views and I would never have seen those antelope otherwise!

Another great day!

Dec 9 - Greens Basin - Big Cottonwood Canyon

Not the prettiest day to go hiking (very cloudy) but it's near 60 degrees in the valley and probably mid-40s in the mountains and since I haven't been out in several weeks, I'm heading out.

Not sure what to expect as we've only had around 2 feet of snow in the mountains so far and none since Thanksgiving. I'm sure I won't need the snowshoes but taking the YakTrax for my hike up to Greens Basin in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

This is a new hike for me. It's the same trail head as Days Fork (which I've been on) but as soon as I finished climbing the steep hill as the beginning, the Green's Basin trail splits off to the left. It's about 1.5 miles and a little over a 1000ft in elevation to the Basin.

The lower part of the canyon has no snow but as I get higher, I start seeing some. The south facing slopes are pretty bare, it's the north facing side that still has the snow (but not much is left).

I get to the trail head and it's a good thing I brought the YakTrax -- there's snow and it's hard packed - lots of ski markings from the X-country skiers.

Very quiet out - the silence is broken briefly by an angry squirrel I pass on the trail.

After getting up the steep hill, the trail heads left through the conifers (lots of Douglas Firs) and Aspens cutting across a very steep mountain side.

I'm keeping my eyes open for wildlife but not seeing a thing, not even hoof prints in the snow.

Occasionally, I see lightly snow dusted mountains in the distance but I never quite get a good look because of the forest.

Finally, the trees thin very briefly and I can get a better look at the mountains (and boy do we need snow!)

I continue on the trail until I reach a big snowy meadow -- probably about 4-6 inches of snow here.
Not a very exciting ending but the end.

I follow a few tracks up a hill hoping to get a better view of the mountains but all I see are more trees.

Time to head back.

I do see a squirrel on the way down; not an angry one -- this one let out a short chirp before scampering up a tree.

Not a bad trail but I think I'll stick to Days Fork, Mill D South and Dog Lake for snowshoeing (if the snow ever arrives).

Nov 15 - Sentry Trail (It's Pronghorn Day on Antelope Island!)

Highs are supposed to be near 60 degrees today! Do I want to spend probably the last 60 degree of the year in the snow OR in the 60 temps? (We're supposed to have snow in the valley tomorrow -- what a temperature change!) The warm 60 degree temps is the winner so I'm heading to Antelope Island to walk the Sentry Trail today.

I get on the island just after 9:30 and heading down the east side towards the Ranch. I see 3 bison near the "fence".

I just pass Frary Peak when movement catches my eye toward the middle of the island - it's 5 pronghorn moving south in a straight line.

Further south, not too far from the Ranch, I see a pretty large herd of bison toward the middle of the island.

I start the Sentry Trail, there are still a few Clouded Sulphers flying; also a few large grasshoppers hopping/flying around.

I'm heading towards Mushroom Springs looking around when I see a small herd of bison to the south. I don't think they will be an issue as they look far enough away from the trail.

As I close in, the herd is actually larger than I thought with a small group (the part I originally saw) below up on the high point of swale and the large group in the lower part. Some of them are looking my way but I just walk pass and start the switchbacks.

I'm surprised to see a few dragonflies.

There's also this butterfly or moth flying around. It just never lands -- I think its a moth. I see several of them on the walk and none cooperate.

I also see a Western Pygmy Blue - two on the trail today.

I'm on the final "up" portion of the trail and in the distance I see a lone bison looking down at me. I think I will be meeting him up close soon.

And I do, but luckily he's far enough from the trail that I just walk past as he watches.

The ridge is beautiful as always. The Salt Lake water is so blue this morning and the peaks to the south (off island) are snow covered.

I cross along the ridge checking the valley below for animals but all I see are some sagebrush looking bison. I just pass Sentry Peak when two doe pop up from the valley below about 20 feet ahead of me.

We all stop -- I looking at the deer and the deer looking at me, tilting their heads from one side to the other trying to figure out if I'm friend or foe.

After about a minute, the one turns and with two bounds disappears into the valley again. The other soon follows. Love those up close unexpected encounters!!

Heading back down, I see a lone bison way in the distance under another peak. Just a tiny brown spot in the distance.

I'm nearing the end of the loop portion of the trail when I see another lone bison just ahead of me and he's only a few feet off the trail.

I'm hoping he moves as I get closer but he's holding his ground; time to go off trail to get safely around him. An uneventful move except I get all these pointy seed stuck in my socks and they are poking me. I have to make a quick stop for removal.

As I pass pass a couple heading up, I see the man point behind me and say there's a large buck. I turn and sure enough there's a big deer! And he's running downhill. Something sure spooked him.

That large herd of bison are still in their same location.

As I near Mushroom Springs, I see some fresh Pronghorn scat -- I don't remember seeing this on the way up. There has to be Pronghorn nearby. I look down towards the road 1/4-1/2 mile away and see a car stopped on the road. I bet he's looking at the Pronghorn.

I make my way down towards the road scanning for antelope. I get to the top of one swale and there they are!! A herd of about 20 antelope! They are all stopped feeding. Then suddenly, they are spooked and take off running to the south towards the bison. They seem to be paralleling the road but then they disappear.

When I get to my car, I head down the road hoping to catch a glimpse of them but they are gone. :( But at least I did get a chance to see them at a distance.

Heading back north past the Ranch, that large bison herd has now moved closer to the road.

I can't find that herd of 5 pronghorn but further north on the road I do find a herd of 7 pronghorn north of Frary Peak -- actually under the White Rock Trail ridge.

An amazing day for pronghorn viewing today! That does't happen often.

Another great day on Antelope Island!

(After looking at my photos, I find a pronghorn hanging out with the Sentry trail small group of bison as I was first starting the trail. That herd of 20 must have been there from the start.)

Nov 13 - Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Had a nice snowstorm this week in the mountains - one resort got 15 inches. (Yea!) But the hiking options are fast reducing in number.

Heading to Dog Lake today. It's on the south facing side of the canyon so it gets more sunlight which means there should be less snow.

Driving up the canyon, the south side is all nice and snowy but the north side is mostly clear (the sunny south facing slope). There's a good number of cars in the parking lot this morning -- mostly big trucks -- probably hunters.

Its still in the low 30s when I start but sun is out and it's clear.

The trail is mixture of snow pack, ice, clear and muddy - will not be a dull hike.

The mountains the south look incredible.

Lots of squirrels out today and chirping.

Otherwise pretty quiet and uneventful hike.

The interesting part was there were blood drops on the trail. In some spots, a lot of blood! The blood trail started several hundred yards for the trail head all the way to the trail split at around 2 miles. I hoping its from an animal -- otherwise, someone's in real trouble.

I get to the split and make the final approach  to Dog Lake. I'm more in the shade now so there is more snow around.

I crest at the lake -- frozen and snow-covered as expected. Lovely shadows of the snow covered pine trees on the lake.

I head up above the lake for a better view of Mt Reynolds -- there's a good 6 inches of snow on the ground but on the Peak, I can still see lots of brown stalks from vegetation.

I was hoping to have lunch here but there's no where to sit so I'm heading back down.

Beautiful day - lovely hike.

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!

Nov 7 - Snowy Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

We had more snow this week -- wasn't the big snow producer that was initially expected :( But still dropped about 5 inches in the higher elevations.

Today I'm heading up to Twin Lakes (between Brighton and Solitude Ski resorts) for my last trip of the year. I'm actually hoping to get up to Twin Lakes Pass. The trail has been closed since Spring for reconstruction but it has to be open by now, ski season will be opening in a few weeks! (hopefully)

Sunny morning but very cold! Heavy frost in the valley last night -- I could hear my leaves falling like rain against my windows, AC, etc very early this morning.  It's about 33 degrees when I leave my house.

The lower canyon has no snow but after about 4.5 miles there is light snow along the road. As I get higher, in the shade, it's only 18 degrees and in the sun, 23 degrees. Brrrrr!

The cold isn't keeping people from hiking though; the trail heads are pretty busy.

As I pass the Solitude Ski Resort, I notice they are busy making snow.

The mountains are certainly snow covered but it doesn't look like 5-6 inches -- looks more like a dusting. Guess I'll find out went I get out of my car in a bit.

I arrive at Silver Lake. I was expecting the parking lot to be at least 1/2 full -- it's after 9:30 -- but there's only a couple of cars. Good for me!

I round the Visitor's Center and it looks so pretty. But it's not the snowy mountains that I'm impressed with, it the hoar frost that is covering everything that's pretty spectacular!

The plants and grasses are covered so are the tree and shrub branches. The frost looks like little tiny frozen leaves layered on the vegetation.

Or like frozen ice crystals.

It's all so wonderful!

I walk counterclockwise to the Twin Lakes trail. The boardwalk is packed snow. Besides all the hoar frost, there are little piles of snow on the branches.

Much of the lake is now covered in ice -- only a few open spots. In those spots, there are lovely reflections.

I get my trail and am happy to see that the sign indicating the upper trail is closed is no longer there. Yea - I'll be able to get to Twin Lakes Pass today!!

I start making my way up the snow packed trail through the now bare aspen trees. The trail is much easier now as the snow has smoothed the rocky trail.

When I get to the wide ledge crossing over Silver Lake, I hear the call of a Pika. Can't find him though. I'm surprised that he would be out on such a cold day and with snow covering their rocky territory.

I continue on. Thankfully, I'm not the only crazy person who'd walk this trail in the snow. Plenty of footprints to follow along. (Including deer tracks)

As I get higher, I can see that Brighton is making snow today too!

The views are excellent especially when I get to the dam (and past it).

I make a quick stop at the lake. Only a few footprints and they are all close to the dam. The rest of the snow is pristine except some animal tracks.

I start making my way up the trail towards the Pass. I get maybe 100-200 yards when I see that the trail is still closed -- a plastic fence blocking the trail and a sign. I do see that people have chosen to ignore the sign and proceed up the trail. I'm tempted to continue but I'm not going ignore the sign -- it's there for a reason - Twin Lakes Pass just wasn't in my cards this year. (Though I believe I can get to it from a trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon....)

I do spot at an overlook at the fence line... the smaller second lake (in the distance) is frozen, while the near lake is mostly open water still.

So I head back to the Lake. I wander through the untouched snow (about 3 inches) for a little bit.

I head back down past the dam, then crossing a stream and climbing back to the east side of the dam. More snow over here -- this side gets less sun. I walk down towards the lake.

Time to head back to Silver Lake.

When I get back to the lake, I complete the loop.

Lovely day.

Oct 30 - Lake Blanche (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

I've heard about Lake Blanche since I moved to UT almost 3 years ago. Deep inside I've always wanted to complete the hike but frankly, at 2.75 miles and just over 2720 ft to climb, the hike intimidates me!

So when I made my list of to-do hikes this Spring, Lake Blanche was not on the list - but it's always been in my mind.

I almost hiked it a week or so ago, but at the last minute, I took a right in the parking lot (instead of a left) and went to Broads Fork instead - which is an even steeper hike at 2200 ft in 2 miles. I know I can get to Lake Blanche (9900ft), I just need to conquer the intimidation....and the clock to get there this year is ticking. And after last night's snow (yea, snow!!) and the forecast for more snow next week, it's ticking very fast!

So this morning, it's time to conquer my "beast"! I'm hiking up to Lake Blanche! And I'm even more excited that the snow I've been looking for, I'll find!

It's cool this morning, low 40s, and will be a little bit colder at the trail head and even colder almost 3000 ft higher. The snow in the high elevations looks wonderful - I think the snow got down to the 7500ft level (maybe a little lower).

Still lots of Fall colors near the entrance of the canyon thanks to the Oaks, Maples, etc.

Only a few cars at the trail head when I arrive around 9:30am. The sun is out but as usual, the beginning of this hike will be in the shade.

The trail starts on a paved road paralleling the creek for about a 1/4 mile. At that point, the actual dirt trail appears to the right and the climb begin. Now the trail is parallels a different creek -- the one draining down from the Lake Blanche area. The direction of the trail is to the southeast through a side canyon - right at Sundial Peak (10,320ft)

The trail is just wet now from last night's rain.

A few hundred yards later, I cross a footbridge to the east side of the creek.

The trail then turns north up a switchback from which I can see down Big Cottonwood canyon towards Salt Lake. Then the trail turns back to the southwest on a constant climb up this side canyon.

There's lots of color around but it's just really hard to enjoy in the shade. The other side of the canyon has sunlight hitting up high. The sound of the creek is very relaxing.

As I get further, I can see snowy mountains in the distance in front of me!! Every step gets me closer.

I reach the "frost" zone real fast - the leaves and vegetation are covered.

Then comes the light snow zone -- just a dusting on the trail, the tree leaves and surrounding vegetation.

After 1.5 miles, I reach a large meadow and the snowy peaks are closer. In fact, a few are on the right side of the canyon across from me. There's icy drops on the pine needles and snow on the seed heads. I looks so pretty! And thankfully, I'm in the sun now -- was getting a bit cool.

A little further along, I get my first look at Sundial Peak -- very hard to see as the sun is right there too!

The sun is right in my eyes so its extremely hard to see ahead - almost run into a guy coming back from Lake Blanche - just couldn't see him. But all the sunshine is glistening beautifully off the snow and ice.

A little further along and the trail begins to veer away from the creek.

I'm in the snow zone now - an inch or two. It's covering berries,

and knocking golden aspen leaves to the ground. It's a little early winter wonderland!

I've reached the switchbacks -- the views are opening up both in front and back down towards Big Cottonwood canyon.

At one point, the trail ends at a snow-covered rocky scree field. I'm not liking this but I head up anyway just for a bit. Thankfully, that's all it took because the dirt trail begins again after only a few feet.

I can see Sundial Peak just over the rocks ahead - I'm almost there!!

Not sure how many switchbacks I climb before arrive at these large slabs of rocks (I believe from what I read, it's quartize). The area opens up.

After walking through a little rocky area -- Sundial (and a bunch other peaks) are ahead of me.

So is an old brick wall -- a dam one time. Funny place to put a dam because the lake water is very far away.

I cross over the wall and head down to Lake Blanche. The water is a little low, icy along the edges but open in the middle with awesome snowy mountain reflections.

I can't hear or see anyone around -- it's all mine (for now)!!

Sundial Peak is still really hard to see because of the position of the sun -- but the other peaks in this glacier cirque --- wonderful!

There's a dam on the far west side of the lake. Part of the wall has fallen away.

I follow the trail along the north side of the lake just to enjoy the views

and to find the other 2 lakes - Florence and Lillian - they are called the three sisters. It's supposed to be another 1/2 mile to Lillian - the last of the lakes.

I climb up on some of the rocks and I can see now see Lake Florence to the west and I start heading in the direction.

I follow a trail up on the rocks because the trail down on the shore appears to end at the dam. I get above Lake Florence

and I can see Lake Lillian nestled pretty close to the mountain range. I can also see a small waterfall running from Lake Blanche to Lake Florence.

I turn around for some amazing views of the northern side of Big Cottonwood canyon and down into the Salt Lake valley! I walked up that valley to get here.

I never make it to the shores of Lake Florence but as I make my way to Lillian, I can't say it enough, just awesome views.

I finally get to Lake Lillian. She has a dam too -- also with a broken wall. This too incredible -- especially with the snow. Unbelievable views everywhere I turn!

I hear water running and it's coming from Lake Florence. It seems that the water runs from Blanche to Florence to Lillian. From Lillian, it becomes the source of the creek I walked beside most of the way up here.

I make my way back to a spot above Lake Florence for lunch. I'm surprised to see a few moths and other insects flying.

Well, its time to leave this wonderful place and I start making my way back to Lake Blanche. Down in Big Cottonwood Canyon, I see that the clouds are rolling in -- there was no forecast of rain but it sure looks like it's slowly rolling in.

I work my way slowing back to Lake Blanche.

And then I head back to that first dam and cross behind it and start my way back down. (When I get home, I find out that the dams were built in the 1930s to make a bigger reservoir. I guess that would explain that first wall, preventing the water from flowing down into the valley -- boy based on where the lake is now -- the water was really high back then -- no shore, just rocks. The Lake Blanche dam broke in 1983 and was never rebuilt.)

On the way down, much of the snow has melted or is in the process melting. The views up back towards the Sundial Peak are much better since the sun has moved.

Just a totally incredible day! I understand why this is such a popular hike. I'm so glad that I picked this day to go -- the snow just added to the beauty.

I'm definitely not intimidated anymore!