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!

Dec 15 - Days Fork (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day predicted with temps in the low 40s. The inversion is still in place but at least the heavy fog/smog is gone. I need to get up to some fresh clean air so heading up into the mountains today. After much internal debate, I'm heading up the Days Fork Trail - don't think I've been here in the winter (at least in couple of years).

As I'm heading up the canyon, it's pretty amazing that it's mid-Dec and the south facing slopes are snow-less. (Crazy!) That needs to change and fast!!

I arrive at the parking for Days Fork (about mid-canyon around 7400 ft). It's sunny but it'll be a shady hike for the most part as the trail follows a narrow canyon to the meadow. So it's time to bundle up as it's only in the 20s.

The entire trail goes for 3 miles to Silver Fork Pass but I'm only heading to the meadow which is around 1.5 miles (one-way) and 850 ft (8200 ft). Much of that elevation is within the first 1/4 mile.

As I start, the trail is snow covered and packed (from the snowshoers, cross-country skiers). There's less than 6 inches of snow on the ground as it heads through a Spruce (conifer) forest. I head up that big hill and soon reach the top. The trail now continues to climb but more gradually. 

I weave through the forest and some small meadows. Lots of canine tracks on the trail, in fact I follow them most of the way to the meadow. I'm assuming coyote as dogs are not allowed in the canyon.

About 1/2 way I start getting some peeks of sun. (yea!)

And soon, I reach the meadow and total sunshine - boy does it feel good!

(This is a typical winter turnaround point when there's a lot of snow (unlike today) as there are several avalanche chutes if ones through the meadow and onward. No worries today but it's still my turnaround point.) 

As I enter, I pass many, many down trees (avalanche path)

and then a good sized grove of aspens. I scan for animals on the slopes and the meadow but seeing nothing but deer tracks.

I continue along the trail as it starts a small climb out of the aspens - just looking for a better view.

I stop before the trail starts heading out of the meadow and stand there enjoying the sunshine, the clean air and the unbelievable silence. Total silence - so precious!! 

Time to start heading down.

Great day!

Dec 10 - Jeremy Ranch Walk

Another sunny day with temps in the low 40s. Looking for an easy "flat" walk today which pretty much leaves me a choice of a smoggy (due to the inversion) walk in the valley or heading up towards Park City to walk either East Canyon or the Jeremy Ranch road. I choose the Jeremy Ranch road.

Don't think I'll being seeing deer or elk today as although it's almost the middle of Dec, we haven't had much snow - actually really lacking in snow this year - so there's nothing pushing them down. But I'll be looking again. Basically, just hoping for some duck and a few birds.

I arrive it's sunny, clear and around 32 degrees. I set off up the snow packed and icy dirt road. I'm usually here when there are 3+ foot snow piles on the side of the trail so it's a bit different when there's about 3 inches of snow on the ground.

And the landscape, well, there's a snow on the shadier sections and clear on the sunnier ones.

The little stream is clear in some sections and lightly frozen on others.

Despite the lack of snow, it's still a really pretty walk.

I do see one group of ducks -- Mallards -- on the walk and that's the wildlife for they day! :)

And I see an Elk track in the snow -- no elk though.

I reach my normal turn around point (about 2 miles) and then start heading back.

Nice little walk! Just what I wanted today.

Dec 8 - Antelope Island

Sunny and cold day. Heading up to Antelope Island after work to check things out.

I arrive on the island around 12:30; it's sunny and 32 degrees. Definitely looks cold as the water on Farmington Bay is frozen. The only opening is where the Salt Lake water mixes with the Bay by the bridge.

It's hazy due to the building inversion layer.

Only a few sea gulls left and still not many ducks have arrived.

I head straight for the Ranch -- thinking about hiking the Sentry Trail (perhaps).

Have to admit I'm getting pretty nervous as I'm almost to the Ranch before I finally spot some animals - a small herd of bison down near the lake bed. (Whew!)

I park at the Ranch and decide just to walk the dirt road past the Sentry Peak Trail to the gate at the end of the road.

I start up the road scanning for animals and am seeing none.  :(

The scenery is not too bad though.

After passing the Sentry Trail, I start seeing bison prints on the road and soon spot the bison in the distance near the mountains.

I'm also seeing lots of antelope tracks -- some looking pretty fresh. They are around here somewhere but I'm just not seeing them.

I reach my turn around point and start back. As I near the Ranch again, I spot 6 deer (all doe)!!

I reach my car and start heading back north hoping some animals appear - just like the deer (they must have been bedded down when I first when past).

I pass Frary Peak and am coming up on the water bin when I spot a coyote's head!! He's trotting towards the road (and he's very near it). I slam on the brakes and wait wondering if he's actually going to cross. Holy cow! He's crossing - emerging from the grasses a few feet in front of my car!!

He's a "well raised" coyote; stopping at the edge of the street, looking both ways

before crossing the street!

He then heads back into the landscape!

I then head over to the West side of the island and find no animals

But an awesome day!

Dec 1 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Sunny day with high in the mid-40s today. Want to head into the mountains (still not much snow yet) but I have a cold and don't think climbing at higher elevation is very wise (especially with a stuffy nose). So heading to my old standby, Antelope Island - always a good time.

I arrive just before 9am. Still cloudy when I start crossing the causeway. I'm greeted by a hawk (it has a white bar across its tail). He's perched on a sign but I can't stop fast enough before it flies - beautiful bird!

The sky is wonderful this morning with a touch of light orange still hanging on due to the cloudy morning but there are blue skies moving in from the north - yea! Add that to the flat water and it's wonderful!!

Even the sea gulls look amazing in the mountain reflections this morning.

I'm hiking the White Rock Trail today but head directly towards the Ranch when I reach the island. As I pass behind the Ranch I notice some deer behind it. They are hard to see as they are laying down and are just little heads peering over the grasses.

I stop and then notice a few are standing. All doe and I count 6. Nice start.

I move on down the island. It isn't too much further down the road I see a couple of bison. And then heading down from the first pull-off I see 3 bison not far from the road. I wonder if one of these bison last time I was here because it's the exact same spot I saw a bison on Sunday. No pronghorn across the street like on Sunday though.

I continue on past Frary Peak and as I continue to the Ranch I see 2 other herds of bison but both in the distance against the mountains.

I reach the Ranch and turn around to head back north and over to the west side of the island and the White Rock Trail. No new animal sightings on the way North.

As I drive thru the White Rock Campground, I notice a herd of bison in the distance to the southeast. And a lone bison in the campground. (Hope he doesn't work his way down to my car by the time I get back.)

I park and head up the trail -- still cloudy to the south and only 38 degrees.

By the time I climb the first hill, the sunny is already out - yea!!!

Pretty quiet trail this morning; just me passing lots of brown plants --- not even a single yellow flower hanging on.

Soon get my first glimpse of White Rock meadow and there are bison down there!!!

I reach the high point (which includes a bench)

and notice 3 other bison and it doesn't look they are that far from my trail -- will soon find out.

There are also 6 bison off in the distance to the west. (Something to look forward too after a couple of miles of hiking).

The views east are wonderful as the inversion layer is quite visible today.

I head down the ridge and soon reach the interior trail and start my way around. I don't see those 3 bison, I must still be above them. A little further along, I do finally find them.

Continuing around, I finally reach some yellow flowers!! It's a short section of trail about 30 feet. There are grasshoppers flying still!

And a beetle!!

And a Clouded Sulpher!! (It's December 1st - that's awesome!!)

After the 30 feet, it's back to dry stalks. There are a few yellow flowers here and there but not many.

I'm coming around the last corner and in front of me on the hill is a herd of Pronghorn!!! I count 30 of them but there may be more.

I still have a little ways to go before I near them but they are very aware of my presence. The bigger group is to my right and smaller group to my left. The smaller group is above the trail -- I will pass right under them when I get there but I do expect them to move as they tend to be skiddish.

I'm getting near when I hear an alarm cry, I look right and see one Pronghorn jump and a bunch start trotting further to right (away from me) but the 4 animals ahead of me stay. I also see one Pronghorn that is further to the west of the main herd.

I pass right under them -- pretty cool!

I look to my left and spot that lone Pronghorn below me in the grasses.

I keep moving and watch him start trotting east and then up towards his herd.

I continue on (spotting another Clouded Sulpher) and soon passing over the 6 bison nearer to the water.

My westward trek is complete and start north heading back to the trail head. I get one more surprise on my way back to the car -- a dragonfly!!

Incredible day! (And no the bison wasn't near my car when I get back. In fact, I'm not sure he moved at all -- he was just laying down resting.)