Oct 3 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

 Temps in the 40s this morning but a sunny day with temps in the low 70 forecasted.

Was supposed to hike up to Desolation Lake today to see the colors; my yearly hike. But I was feeling something flatter so I headed up to Antelope Island.

When I arrive, I head towards the Ranch. There's one bison behind the Visitor's Center.

Under Beacon Hill, there's at least 4 Pronghorn. 

I open my window to take a photo and I have several mosquitoes swarm into my car. Yikes! Savage critters today!

I see a small herd of bison just after Frary Peak and as I arrive at the Pit Toilets, I see 2 Pronghorn up on the hill. 

When I exit my car, I hear a coyote making some noises.

There a huge herd of bison on the east side of the road about a mile out from the Ranch. Lots of dust from rolling in the dirt. And they seem to be moving slowly south - maybe.

I arrive at the Ranch and I only see a some herd of bison maybe 200 yards south of the Sentry Peak trail. Yea! I guess I'm walking to Sentry Peak. Ok, not necessarily flat but I have to take advantage of the "no bison" in the area.

I park and look west. I see 2 Pronghorn moving south and behind them a nice size herd of bison. They are about 100 yards north of Mushroom Springs. I guess I'm not hiking Sentry Peak today. :( I'm back to "no big hills".

So I'm off to hike White Rock!

When I return to the Visitor's Center area, many more bison moving over the ridge and down towards the lake bed.

And hey, I'm the only car in the White Rock parking. Hoping the mossies aren't as bad over here.

Unfortunately not so lucky. I've never seen so many mosquitoes on the Island -- and I think I'm pretty bug tolerant. But I start up the hill hoping I get into some wind once I top out. In the meantime, it's a lot of swatting arms, shoulders, face and the air in general.

I'm seeing no animals along the way other than a lot of moths.

It gets a little better when I top out as I'm in a little breeze but I still need to keep checking my arms/shoulders every couple of minutes.

There are no critters in the White Rock meadow either. And the mossies are just as bad. I might set an all-time record for this trail today.

I reach the inner loop. Lots of grasshoppers but no butterflies.

I do make the find of the day -- a snake basking on the trail. 

I try not to scare it off as I pass.

I also find a single lizard.

I find relief on the west side as I head north. I'm finally in a nice wind. Finally, no swatting for at least a small period of time.

Unfortunately, I lose the wind on the downhill and final stretch.

Very happy this trail is done. I'm going to bring bug spray next time I come (I can't believe I said that.)

Still nice to be out and a bout!

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