Dec 31 - Bring in the New Year!

2017 was full of wonderful adventures but its time to close that book and open a new one for 2018 at

https://jeanetteklodzen2018@blogspot.com

Dec 31 - Junction Trail (Antelope Island)

Last day of 2017 - wow, it went fast!!

But it's a great day to end the new year - sunny, crisp, air is clean and temperatures are in the low 30s!! Perfect day for a hike!

Heading to Antelope Island for one last 2017 hike!

Sunny and still in the upper 20s when I start crossing the causeway. I see one Kestrel as I cross this morning. And it's pretty frozen looking out there.

I head south towards the Ranch as normal and the animals are still hard to find. I see one small herd of bison near the Frary Homestead Trail and a larger herd near Mushroom Springs on the Sentry Trail. Both herds have stayed in the same location for the last two weeks. (No porcupines sightings.)

I turn around at the Ranch and head back north -- I'm going to hike the Junction Trail today. It's actually the lower part of the longer White Rock trail and just follows White Rock Bay south and then up to the ridge where Elephant Rock is. The trail is 1.8 miles with 600 ft of elevation change one-way. I've been on this trail many, many times as part of the White Rock Trail loop. However, only up to the ridge twice before - once to complete the Elephant Rock trail and the other for the Split Rock Trail.

On the way north from the Ranch, I'm past Frary Peak and nearing the first water bin when I see Pronghorn!! A large herd of them in the distance. (Definitely hard to see but many are up and feeding.) Love finding these guys!

Continuing on, I head over to the White Rock parking lot and start up the trail.

There are several bison far to the south and east of me in two small herds - the nearer one has 4 animals and the farther one -- maybe 10.

Wonderful walking this morning

and soon I'm around the other side of the hill and entering White Rock meadow.

In the meadow is a lone bison not far from the trail and 4 a little farther in the distance.

As I continue walking, I see something running towards the bison -- it's a coyote!

Not sure why he's heading towards the bison - perhaps his den is in the nearby sagebrush. But the coyote soon disappears.

I continue along the trail passing the lone bison (hey, there's another bison laying in the sagebrush)

and continuing

until I reach the start of hill to the ridge (this is where majority of the elevation is gained).

I start up. The trail is frozen dirt below but gets icy the remainder of the way. The views are wonderful.

To the southeast down across White Rock Bay to Bison Point (with Elephant Point to the far left)

And to the northeast with Dooley Knob to the right, the Wasatch Mts in the distance and the White Rock trail cutting through the meadow.

On the way up, I see another bison laying in the sagebrush with the other two. And there are 4 other bison down east of the trail behind some sagebrush! Looks like they are laying down now.

Soon I'm on the ridge and I walk over to get a better view of the west side of the island and down to the meadow on the other side of Elephant Rock. Wonderful!

Time to head back down the icy hill.  As I head down, those 4 bison are up and moving north.

When I get down to the bottom of the hill, those 4 bison are harder to see but occasionally I see a dark brown bump moving behind the sagebrush. I keep moving wondering if and when they will pop out of the sagebrush on my side of the trail.

I don't have to wait long, here they come!

Exciting and a bit nerve-wrecking because they aren't that far away and we're moving almost parallel to each other. Just hoping they don't get closer.

Soon 5 people coming the other direction pass me. Those folks must have spooked the bison because they run back to the other side of the sagebrush out of view.

I'm coming to the end of the sagebrush wondering if the bison are still moving south! Answer - yes! They are still parallel with me. They make a short run and then stop. The lead animal (and one other) start rolling in the dirt. Then the lead animal gets up and starts bouncing in the air -- like a Springbok!! Cute but I think this is a warning to me that they don't like my presence. OK, I'm not moving until they get where ever they are going -- which I think is to meet up with those other 3 bison ahead.

While waiting, I see another person coming down the trail towards me. He's got to be spooked as those 4 bison start running north again (towards the guy) but then cross the trail and meet up with the other 3 bison. There's some head butting and some wallowing when they meet but then things calm down.

Whew! I can now safely move past (as well as the other guy). Yea!!

Finally, I'm back at my car and driving towards the Visitors Center. Along the way I see another coyote moving through the grasses. I stop to watch -- he's definitely hunting as he keeps changing directions.

Awesome day and a great way to end 2017!!

Dec 24 - Gravel Pit Trail to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

Finally got some snow yesterday - big flakes in the valley (too warm to stick) and 16 inches in the mountains with more coming tonight! Perhaps the tides are turning and the snow is finally arriving!

Heading up to Antelope Island today - mountains will be crazy with powder seeking skiers today. It's supposed to be partly sunny with highs in the mid-30s and then clouding up by noon as the next storm starts to arrive.

As I head north, I think the weathermen are  wrong yet again as it's cloudy already. There's blue sky to the north but the clouds are building that way. Oh well!

As I cross the causeway, I see no shorebirds or sea gulls and only a few Coots in the open water.

I arrive and head down towards the Ranch. It isn't until after passing Frary Peak before I start seeing a few animals; I see a porcupine in the trees and hey, there's a coyote trotting north along the edge of the lake shore!!

And of course, several herd of bison. Some near the mountains,

some not far from the road and there's the big herd just past the Ranch in front of Sentry Peak.

I think about hiking the Sentry Trail but without sun and with the temperature at 22 degrees, I decide to try a new trail for me (and a shorter one): The Gravel Pit Trail to Beacon Hill. The trail head is just off the main road north of Frary Peak. It's 1.8 miles before it hits the White Rock Trail (which I walk a lot) and then follows the White Rock Trail for about 1/4 mile before taking a left turn up to Beacon Hill. I've passed Beacon Hill numerous time and today will be the first time I actually go up.

When I reach the Ranch, I turn around and head north passing those 2 herds of bison. But now it's time to checkout a few of these Porcupine as they are not far from the road. I pull off first for two Porcupine in the same tree. Both are sleeping.

Back in the car I head a little further north when I see yet another Porcupine to check out. He's sleeping as well but I get a good look at his face.

(I see 6 Porcupine today!)

Soon I arrive at my trail turn off and then the parking lot. And off I go into the 22 degree landscape.

I don't have to walk far before I realize why the trail is called the Gravel Pit.

I get over the ridge and hey, there's the corrals! I wasn't expecting them to be so near!

Such a totally different perspective from the White Rock Trail which the corrals are visible but they far in the distance.

Soon I come across 7 bison. They are far enough from the trail so I can pass safely. I hope they are still there when I come back.

All along the trail, I'm seeing coyote tracks and scat, ascat from deer or antelope and Chukkar tracks.

I soon reach the White Rock trail - almost there!

I reach the turn off and head up Beacon Hill.

Soon I see the tower and as I near, I see a flock of Chukkars quickly moving through the grasses. Just heads bobbing above the grasses. Boy are they stealthy! Not a sound, scattering in multiple directions and poof they're gone!! Amazing!

I head past the tower to the picnic tables/viewpoint. Not a bad view to southeast

and east across the bay!!!

I take a brief rest before starting back.

On the way back, I see an animal crossing through the grasses ahead of me -- it's a coyote!!!

(Plenty of coyote sign along the trail -- happy to see one!)

I'm coming upon those bison and shoot, two of them are close to the trail!

Time for some "off roading" to get around the bison. They are watching me and I them but I get safely around and work my way back to the trail! I stop to look back and see two of the bison butting heads

but they make up and are best friends again!

Nice little trail!

Back in my car, I continue my way up the island and a quick loop of the west side of the island seeing only one bison along the way.

To end a wonderful day, I spot a Kestrel along the causeway!!

Good day!

Dec 22 - East Canyon (Dell Reservoir) Walk

Beautiful sunny day with temps in the low 30s. I want to enjoy the sun before the storms roll in for the week-end so I leave work a little early to head up to the Dell Reservoir (East Canyon) to "catch some rays". Yea, the mountains will have sun to but lots of folks are off (as are the kids) and I figure it will be pretty crowded in mountain on a sunny Friday afternoon -- there won't be any crowds where I'm heading.

As I head up, it's still sunny but there are clouds rolling in and when I arrive 15 minutes later, my sun is gone :( and it's 29 degrees but I'm walking anyway.

The reservoir looks great -- still lots of water with some snow around its edges. There is a dusting of snow on the foothills as well. And an excellent view of the Oquirrh Mts across the Salt Lake Valley.

The walk is around 1.5 miles along the trail - I'll walk the road back as it's closed for the winter.

The trail is snow covered/packed with only a couple inches of snow. I see a few deer tracks near the start of the trail but after that, only rabbit tracks. Big Mountain is in the distance.

Looking for moose, deer, birds but nothing - just quiet.

It isn't until after the bridge and almost the end of the trail when I see some large tracks of a moose in the snow. Not fresh but moose tracks none the less!

Someone has also put up a couple of bird houses near the end with large holes - perhaps owls?

I'm back on the road and heading to my car.

Nice little walk.

Dec 19 - Christmas Lights in Temple Square

I needed to get my annual shot of Christmas spirit and the best I know of here in Utah for that is a trip to downtown SLC's Temple Square. Heading there after work today - was going to put it off a few more days but the temperatures are near 50 today and dropping the rest of the week.

There's not much to say just many managers representing other parts of the world

the Mormon Temple

the main Nativity scene

and many many many lights. (Although there seems to be less managers and lights this year - hmmm! But still awesome!)

 

Dec 17 - US Olympic 1000m Short Track Trials

Heading out to support our US Olympic Speed Skating (Short Track) team by attending 1000m Trials today. They are being held at the Olympic Oval in Kearns (a little south and west of Salt Lake). It's the same Olympic Oval where the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics were held and where the 2014 Speed Skate were held (which I attended for one day).

The 1500m and 500m trials where held on Friday and Saturday with several skaters wrapping up positions on the team by winning that event. The winners of today's event will also go to the Olympics and the remaining members of the team will be chosen by points earned by finishing positions in all the events.

Today's event will be skated in two rounds. Since there are 16 men and 16 women vying for a spot on the team, there will be 2 rounds of quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals. Points accumulated and the top 3 finishers of the 1000m will be announced. Followed by, and more importantly for these athletes, the Olympic team.

The races were full of speed, great passing moves and yes, some crashes. One of the Men's Final had to be restarted to 3 of the men crashing.

Very exciting day!

And congrats to the men and women who earned the chance to continue their chase their ultimate Olympic Dream! 

- JR Celski, John-Henry Krueger, Ryan Pivirotto, Aaron Tran, and Thomas Hong.

- Maame Biney, Lana Gehring, and Jessica Kooreman.

Go Team USA!!

Dec 16 - Antelope Island (Snowy Safari)

It's a cloudy morning with temperatures around 32 degrees. There's snow flurries predicted coming in around 10 am. Despite the predicted weather conditions, heading up to Antelope Island today and hoping to hike the Sentry Trail today (and to beat most of the snow).

I arrive on the causeway and it's already snowing but the wind is calm. The snow looks pretty but the views are very limited.

As I cross the causeway, I see a few shorebirds still hanging around

And just a couple of sea gulls.

The duck numbers are rising (much larger numbers than last week).

Farmington Bay is frozen with a dusting of this morning's snow on top. The Salt Lake side is open (as expected - salt water). The only opening in Farmington Bay is near the bridge where the salt water mixes.

As I arrive on the island, I see a bison up near the Visitor's Center.

And then I continue onto the Ranch. It isn't until I reach the Frary Homestead before I see some animals - a large herd of bison stretched out along the mountains.

A little further down the road is another herd of bison near the sagebrush to the east.

I arrive at the Ranch and ready to my hike but I realize I forget a water-proof jacket (oops). Guess the hike is not happening today. But I can still go look for the Great Horned Owls!

I start walking around the wooded area and soon find one of the owls!

And then continue around. Although I see no deer, they definitely hang out back here - tons of scat!! I near the tree where I saw the owl a few weeks back and you know what? The owl is still there!!! Awesome!

This looks to be the larger one -- so the female.

Time to head back up the island.

I make a quick stop near Frary Peak and notice a lone snowy bison on the other side of the road. I wait hoping for him to raise his head but he is nose down and chewing away.

As I pass thru the fence line and the Visitor's Center comes into view, I see a herd of deer (all doe) running to the south (in my direction).

I'm not sure what spooked them but they continue to run. They run past me but oh oh, they are stopped by the fence. What will they do now?!

They pause for a moment and they turn east and trot down the fence towards the road.

And then they cross the road behind me and continue running on the south side of the fence. And they're gone!

Very cool!

I continue around to the west side of the island and up to the Bison Point parking. I think about walking up to Bison Point but the wind has picked up and now that pleasant 32 degrees is rather cold (brrrr)!

The view from the parking, well it's cloudy!

And there's no animals in sight.

So I head down and over to the west side. As I come up on a large patch of sagebrush (good spot for deer) I see a car pulled over and sure enough, they are deer watching. I stop to watch as well. There are only 5 deer (all doe) in the meadow. I look towards the sagebrush and here comes another deer, and another, and one more. Oh, here comes the male -- big guy!!!

They all herd up together.

I then move my car so the deer are right across the street from me (and not in front of me). I wait and watch as they slowly start moving towards the road. There are a couple of tussles between some females -- on their hind legs ready to fight) sending the one on the ground running.

Bet that's the dominant female.

They continue to get closer to the road

and soon run across

and continue to run through a meadow to the next stand of sagebrush. Pretty cool!

I continue around the west side seeing no additional animals and start my way across the causeway. There I see a hawk hovering over the grasses.

And see 2 more as I complete my causeway crossing.

Well the day started slowly but got pretty fun! Great day!