March 12 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 After a snowstorm (6+ inches) and super cold weather, it's a sunny day with temps near 50. Heading up to Antelope Island to (hopefully) hike the Sentry Trail.

It's already in the low 30s when I leave my house.

It's sunny and slightly warmer when I arrive on the causeway.

Along the causeway is snow-free but the island has plenty of snow -- could be trek thru some snow today!

I arrive on the island and there's a herd of bison right behind the Visitor's Center - it's been along time since I've seen them there.

And that's all the wildlife until I'm about 1 from the Ranch where there are 2 bison on the side of a little hill. Could there be more bison behind them - can't tell. But the herds have to be somewhere as it's "baby red" season!!!

I park at the Ranch, gear up and head up the road to the trail. I'm not too happy that there are 2 guys ahead of me but I'm far enough back so I can't hear them talk (and with the turns in the trail, I'll probably see very little of them soon).

The ground is still covered in snow; I'm sure most of it will be melted by the end of the day. The mountains too are covered. It's look pretty awesome out!

The trail is clear though until the long switchback where I start running into some snow. The more I track north, the more the snow. And the when I start back uphill again, the snow levels are a dusting to below the knee depending on the location I am on the trail. I am happy now that I have the 2 guys ahead as they made nice tracks in the deeper snow that made my climb much easier :)

No critters or tracks to the the ridge; just awesome views!

At the ridge it's beautiful.

And the trail across the ridge is snow covered -- I'm surprised because the ridge is in full sun.

The men, again, have blazed the trail. I'm not sure if I want to cross but since they've done the hard work, I might as well.

It's a wonderful walk. Unfortunately, there are no critter below. Where are the bison?

I reach the other side of the ridge and start making my way down thru the snow. To my right, I see critter tracks heading south. I follow them and surprise! Two pronghorn! I love it!

Then it's down, down, to the switchback. Hey, the Park Service has at least 2 vehicles up here now -- I see the tracks and they weren't there when I went up!

Oh, there is a bison herd down there to the north - wonder why I hadn't seen it on the drive.

Then it's down to the rock outcropping where I see a little White butterfly - a Checkered White. Hardy little guy with all the snow and the freezing temperatures the last couple of days. At least, he has sunshine today; just no food. 

Oh I did see 2 Redstem (Pink) plants in bloom today.

Then it's back to my car and up the island. 

I pass those 2 bison -- I suspect that herd is behind them. It's the only place they can be but I can't confirm from my car.

And I see bison on the far southern White Rock ridge (I see them from the Frary Peak road). Darn, I wish I would've walked that trail - but then I wouldn't have seen the 2 Pronghorn in the snow. I'll take the Pronghorn!!

Awesome day!