April 30 - Little Cottonwood Trail (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Well after a week of cold and rain (and PLENTY of snow in the mountains -- on April 9, Snowbird was reporting a total of 511 inches; after this week, 586 inches!!), it's time to get out and enjoy some sun and some warmer (but still below average) temperatures. Heading to hike the Little Cottonwood Creek trail this morning.

The trail starts at the mouth of the canyon but the main parking won't open until around Memorial Day so I drive a few miles up the snow-less canyon to a secondary parking area. Quite a few people already parked and on the trail.

As I head down the hill from the parking area to the main trail, I'm surprised to see how much snow still remains around the trail. The mountains, obviously not surprised by the snow.

I turn left and head up towards the end on the old brick building. Still a lot of snow around (and some snow sections of the trail) but I do find a few blooming Oregon-Grape and Waterleaf.

Soon I reach the trail's end.

The water is flowing pretty good but this is only the start of what will be a BIG run-off when the temperatures finally reach normal again.

I turn around and head back down the trail stopping at not one but two turn-offs to check out the creek.

I'm back at the trail head and now starting downhill. One bright blooming flower that survived the snow/cold. (Actually it's survived a lot as I've seen it for my 5th year now.)

A bit farther down, I spot at the "log jam" section, just want to compare what it looks like now and a few weeks from now.

Soon I reach the water wheel which has a nice squeak to it this morning.

The trail is now much clearer as I reach the bridge.

Quite a few bikers out today (just a couple of hikers though). I'm hearing squirrels now.

Continuing down....

I soon cross over the foot bridge.

It's at this point in the trail that I start seeing the Solomon's Seal poking through the ground.

Further down, I find some almost ready to bloom.

I'm hoping to see some bflies today and I finally see a shadow of one flying on the ground. I scan and see an Anise Swallowtail overhead!!

Soon I finally reach the big bridge; my final destination for today.

Water's flowing at a good clip.

Time to start back up hill. On the way back, I add to my bfly sightings with one Mourning Cloak.

Lovely day!

April 23 -- Antelope Island

Well, I woke up this morning wanting to see baby bison. So even though it means battling the nasty biting gnats, I'm heading to Antelope Island. I'm optimistic that I might even get a hike in because there's a little breeze (though I'm not sure if it's enough to keep the bugs at bay but I have a Plan B - a fine bug net for my head!)

Mostly sunny this morning and already in the mid-50s with a slight breeze.

I arrive on the island and don't have to drive too far along the causeway when I reach water on both sides! Haven't seen that much water since last Spring -- and the real mountain run-off is still to come.

I see a Goshawk flying and several shore birds as I drive across.

I was actually expecting more birds because the swirling columns of midges are every where -- splat, splat, splat on my windshield.

I reach the island and head south towards the ranch. There's about 6-7 bison just before the fence line. I lose sight of the group as I roll up as they are on the other side of a little berm. But there's one beside along side of the road. Love of sound of the tearing of grass as he grazes.

A little farther down the road, I see about 4 bison hiding among the rocks up a hill.

On the east side of that rocky hill, there's a car stopped in the middle of the road. I look around and find a lone pronghorn on the right side. Not a bad start to my day.

I stop at the viewpoint -- lots of water out there (but we need more).

I also see another small herd of bison resting on the dry lake bed; I'll be passing them shortly.

Still further along, something catches my eye on the flats. It's a small herd of Pronghorn!!

I stop at the Frary Peak turnoff just briefly and catch a Meadowlark singing his wonderful song!

And get a good look at the Pink flower that's blooming.

The rest of the way to the Ranch all I see is another small herd of bison on the flats - all Bachelor bison. I'm wondering where all the females are; they should be having their calves.

Oops, and one running deer who I quickly lose sight of in the sagebrush.

I park at the Ranch. They are finally starting to make progress on all the storm damage to the Ranch. They have half the barn roof back up and new beams on the other. Also, some of the metal roof that was blown off on the out buildings is back up. Nice to see progress.

As I get out of my car, I notice some bison on the south side of the Ranch. I walk up to the fence (still a good distance way) to check them out --  I see babies!!!!

I thought I'd be safe from the bugs near the Ranch - it's typically a safe zone for some reason. But not today -- I feel the "burn" of those little bites.  I pull out my netting and put it on. Not sure how anyone sees out of these things but I continue down the road toward the Sentry Peak parking.

However, the net is not working :( Must not be tiny enough holes -- maybe a paper bag will work :)

But I continue on as I want to see the bison -- and there's a large herd! And I do see babies (and a Pronghorn in the background) as I continue down the road passing a carpet of those tiny pink flowers.

But not a lot of babies; they must be just starting to calve.

I continue to pass more bison, even a few deer!!!

Well, at some point, I guess I startled the new Moms and they start a mini-stampede toward the Sentry parking. I just stand and watch.

Many cross and keeping moving toward Mushroom Springs.

But my hike was not meant to be today -- bugs!

I return to my car -- hey, going north into the breeze is keeping the bugs at bay! I took a chance today - I didn't get my hike but I did get to see the babies!!! (Well, worth all the bites and the itching that will be coming over the next couple of days.)

I reach my car, drop off my pack and head to the Ranch (no bugs here). I'm hoping the Bird Area is finally open -- it's been closed since the storm (unsafe tree branches). No such luck!

But I do stop and talk to the DNR guy. I ask about the Great Horned Owls and he says they never found a nest this year. But that's because no one went looking in the Bird Area because of the danger.
Fortunately, there is a volunteer crew that started working on the area but he has no idea when it will be open again. Well, it's progress!

On my drive back north, I find 2 deer grazing. They look like they are bucks -- little antlers!

I'm at the head of the island and see 2 bison on the flats.

Time to head west and I'm quickly greeted by a lone bison.

And a little further a lone Pronghorn walking towards the road. He stops for a quick scratch.

And proceeds to cross the road. Once across, makes a brief sprint to the sagebrush.

One last stop up at Bison Point parking for a very quick look at White Rock Bay. (Lots of gnats up here!)

After coming down, I head around Bison Point towards the beach area and go figure, I see yet another Pronghorn! Good day for antelope sightings!

I head past the beach and the Visitor's Center. On the north side of the Center, I see one deer.

Not a bad day for animals! (Especially the biting ones!)

April 22 - LIttle Dell to Affleck Park (East Canyon)

Sunny day in low 60s predicted for today. Trying to decide where to go because I don't want to walk in snow -- that limits the choices especially when I don't want to deal with bikes or bugs. So I finally decided to head up to East Canyon and hike up to Big Mountains; that's assuming the road to Big Mountain it open. The fall back is the trail from Little Dell Reservoir up to Affleck Park. I've taken this trail in the winter (never been on it in any other season).

I head up Emigration Canyon to the Reservoir then make a right turn past the Reservoir park only to find the road still closed (probably won't open to May 1 or Memorial Day because of the threat of snow in the higher elevations). I turn around and park at the Reservoir (5914 ft).

A little windier than I expected today -- it's only in the mid-50s. It looks awesome though!!

I head down the switchbacks to the actual trail. Along the way, I see a white bfly flying low to the ground; he lands. I sneak up on where I think he is, but nothing. ;(

But there are a few flowers blooming; OregonGrape (of course) and the large yellow flowers of the Balsamroot.

I catch up with another White: a very beaten Checkered White

Not many, just a few. I'm down the switchbacks and head north into the oaks (which have not leafed out yet).

Continuing up the trail, I see something waddling along the trail. It's a Porcupine!

He's walking north along the trail. I speed up (quietly of course) and catch up to him. He veers off to the edge of the woods when I reach him. Appears to be eating some of the fresh twigs.

I know when I get a bit too close when his quills pop up.

I let him continue to eat and move north where I see another white: a Cabbage White.

I finally reach the northern edge of the lake. Lots of Canadian Geese making a lot of noise here.

Also see 2 dark orange butterflies but can never catch up.

The trail is still muddy from the snow melts. On this part of the trail, it's easy walking (i.e., not too moist) and I'm not leaving much of a track. But there have been larger creatures that have left their hoof prints (Elk or Moose). And there are smaller hoofs too belonging to deer.

I follow them for quite a while.

Not much blooming yet along the trail - I do find a small patch or two of Glacier Lilies.

But still nice walk.

I'm continually scanning the woods and the foothills for moose, elk or deer but nothing so far.

The woods are quiet this morning; except for the wind and an occasion Chickadee. And the flowing water.

I take a short detour to the water's edge.

Continuing on I see a Painted Lady.

And many moths (none of which I get a good look at).

A little further along, I see one Orangetip (male).

I'm almost done with the lower part of the trail when I see a Mourning Cloak!

I reach the road and crossover to the other side. There's a slight hill to climb - it's much more muddier on this side.

But there's another Mourning Cloak. This guy lands in front of me, I scare it forward of course. He lands again in front of me .... and we repeat several times before he heads off into the woods.

Soon I'm following large ungulate hoofs again. Never do see one though.

Soon I reach Affleck Park - the end of my hike.  (6196 ft) And my 3rd Mourning Cloak of the day!!

Time to head back. Not a bad view for the way home!

I finally catch up with a Chickadee on the way back. He didn't even care as I stood almost beneath him; he was too busy eating tree "buds" (or something).

Great day! (I can see across the Salt Valley to the snowy Oquirrh Mountains!!)