Oct 30 - Gravel Pit (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs in the low 50s.

Thought about hiking Twin Lakes today but opting for a more level hike: the Gravel Pit trail on Antelope Island.

It's a cool morning in the mid-30s but the sun is rising.

When I reach the island I head south to the Ranch. Should be a day I should hike the Sentry Trail since the bison round-up was yesterday and they are, for the most part, all in corrals - except for the big Bull behind the Visitors Center.

But feeling for a flatter hike so it's the Gravel Pit today.

As I pass the trail, the gate is down. Must be closed due to the snow/rain we had last week. Shoot! That means Sentry Trail will be closed as well. Oh, well not hiking Sentry today anyway.

Other than that initial Bull, I see no animals along the way.

There are the deer spotting around now. One is pull off to the side of the road while a "friend" is angled across the northbound lane talking to him (lazy).

I spot a mile-sh shy of the Ranch to go potty. I decide to turn around here and head to the trail.

On my return, I see a hawk.

Almost got run over by 2 cars of deer spotters driving south in the northbound lane. (Oh and the guy was still blocking the northbound lane talking to his "friend".

I due see 3 doe near the watering bin under Frary Peak (yea!)

I park at the gate and walk to the Gravel Pit trail head - hey, they put a toilet at the trail head - FINALLY!!!

Time to start up the trail. 

I lose my coat as soon as I get out of the pit. Still in the upper 30s but the sun & exercise keeps me warm.

No mossies today! Yea!

Quiet walk and hard to see with the sun in my eyes. So much so, I almost missed a lone Pronghorn that was walking towards me. Amazingly, he was calm.

Soon I'm heading up to Beacon Hill. As the trail starts to flatten out, I see movement on the ground. It's a Chukkar! On closer look, I see 2 on the road and several in the grasses.

As I move on, they start to scatter - so fun!

The end of the trail is a bit hazy but good for a quick stop before heading back down.

I get a good look at the bison filled corrals on the way back.


Back at the gate, I notice a sign stating the trail is still closed on Sunday (today) as they have a few more bison to round-up. That sign was not there when I started and I never saw any roaming bison.

Oh well, awesome day!

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