The 2022 Utah Adventure

 Happy Thanksgiving! Sunny day with temps around 40 degrees. Heading up to Antelope Island to hopefully hike Sentry Peak. It's 29 degrees and sunny when I reach the island.  Along the causeway I see my 1st Kestrel of the year perched on a sign. And several cars of duck hunters. I head south towards the Ranch. There are 2 bison at the intersection where you either go straight for the west side of the Island or head south for the Ranch. Those are the last critters I see until around Frary Peak where I see a herd of bison - a large herd. I also pass another Kestrel. A little farther, there's a herd of bison closer to the mountains and then a bigger herd in the flats (where they hung out after the fire). I keep my fingers crossed as I approach the Ranch and yes, no bison. I can hike to Sentry Peak! I gear up and start my way down the road (it's been closed since the first snowfall) to the trailhead. When I'm practically at the trailhead, I see 2 Pronghorn just east of the r...

 Sunny day in the upper 30s. Headed to walk Lambs Canyon Road around noon today. Start of the road is snow-free and then it gradually changes to part snow/ice and finally to all snow/ice. Most of the snow is on the east facing slopes. But there is snow on the west side in spots where there's hardly any sun. No flowers today just wonderful flaky snow glistening in the sunny spots. Pretty incredible! The trees in some cases are also covered in this flaky snow - piled on. And the ice formations in the creek are also wonderful. Many animals tracks today -- wish I could ID them but fun to look at. Heard a few Chick-a-dees in one spot but other than that pretty quiet. Saw a hunter (archery) coming down the road as I went up. I reach the trail head. Pretty icy just before as it appears the stream alongside the road overflowed. Stunning crystalization in that stream. The trees/brush at the bridge crossing is thick and beautiful.  The bridge is snow-packed so I go across and walk the t...

 Headed home for an early Thanksgiving on Thursday. Today, despite the 19 degree temperatures, my brother and I are heading to Lake Michigan to the Portage Riverwalk. I've been there once before but when temperatures were much warmer and there was less wind. We arrive and the lake is rough and the wind is super cold. But we walk out to the breaker wall anyway. Surprise! There are still a few yellow flowers out. We each start walking the breaker wall. The wind is freezing my face - brrr! There are icicles on the metal railing.  And it gets thicker the farther along the breaker you walk.  It also get icier to walk. I stop earlier than my brother -- not interested in slipping and not interested in getting hit by a rogue wave as a few are hitting the breaker. My brother goes farther but doesn't come close the end either. Fun but super cold!

 Partly sunny day with temps in the 20s when I head out just after 8am. Heading to hike at Little Dell Reservoir. Not too sure what to expect as far as snow but I have layers, heavier boots and Yaktrax with me. It's sunny when I arrive. The Reservoir is NOT iced over. In fact, there doesn't look to be an icy spot but there is steam coming off the water. There are no ducks or other water fowl on the water. It's in the low 20s though and there's still icy crystals on some of the plants. The trail is mostly clear with a few spots with light snow or ice. I gear up and head down towards the trail. Down at the bottom, I head over to the water. It's a long way so I stop short and continue down the trail. Quiet morning. Not expecting any moose/elk/deer sightings as it's hunting season but I do find deer tracks, as well as bunny  and turkey. At one point I find a Stellar's Jay hopping thru the branches. Closed trail sign is still there from last year but people (like...

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-30s. Heading up to Antelope Island; simply plans are to hike up to Beacon Hill. It's in the low 20s when I arrive on the causeway. There are still hunters out there! I see my first hawk flying along the causeway. Curious to see how many there will be this winter since the construction crews are along that stretch of road. I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch. Still no bison behind the Visitor's Center. In fact it's not until I'm past Frary Peak that I see my 1st herd along the mountain. That's it until the Ranch where there is a herd just before the ranch and then a herd south of the Mushroom Spring. It would be a great day to hike to Sentry Peak but not in my plans today. I turn and head back north spotting a couple more herd along the mountain sides. I park at the Gravel Pit trail head and start up the trail. I find a few yellow composites barely hanging out. I also see 3 bison along the White Rock trail  and the...

My sister is here this week-end and it's partly sunny so we're heading up for a drive around Antelope Island. Hoping the bison around out; they were corralled last Friday, med checks this week so they should be. Driving across the causeway there are no hawks/Kestrels yet. But we do see several duck hunters walking back towards the causeway. We arrive on the island in full sun. There are clouds to the south but for now it's sunny! There are no bison behind the Visitor's Center and we don't find any until northern-most part of White Rock ridge. There is a small herd of bison about 1/2 way up. However, there is a bigger herd a little of south of us and they are actually on both sides of the road. We continue south - there are no deer visible in the usual area. We do see additional small herds as we drive south with a nice sized herd near the potty before the Ranch. Some are very near the parking lot, some of south of the parking lot crossing to the other side of the ro...