Antelope Island


Our latest overland vehicle build is this 1998 Mitsubishi Montero with the Winter package option, meaning among other things it has a factory rear locker. Just what I've been looking for.

We decided to road test its latest modification, a deck for the dogs that replaces the middle seat, much like what was done in the H3 and the Gen3 Montero, and took a day trip to Antelope Island.


It's a short drive from our place in North Salt Lake, much less than Google Maps estimates. Took us maybe 45 minutes to get to the other side of the causeway.

It's the largest of ten islands located within the Great Salt Lake and is home to bison, antelope, mule deer, bighorn sheep and an amazing array of birds. We see it everyday on the commute home from downtown Salt Lake, and Mindy has grown up with a view of it from the Bountiful bench, but we've never been there until today.

Utah's State Parks has done well to manage this strip of 42 square miles. We drove the east side road to the Fielding Garr Ranch and along the way stopped to photograph the isle's famous bison.


Not that this is the famous one, it's just part of the famed bison. Plural. We hiked a couple of trails with the girls, the Dooley Knob trail,


and then the trail that visits an interpretive site of the Frary family homestead who settled on the island in the late 1800's. It's a fascinating story, one I can't help but wonder inspired the film Captain Fantastic.


We drove around to the western side of Antelope and had lunch at Bridger bay where we watched a big bison wander his way towards the restaurant that serves bison burgers. Given all the attention he harvested onlookers and picture-takers, I'm certain by the end of the day he will be famous.


We're looking forward to Spring to bring bikes and kayaks back and explore more of this quiet island in the Great Salt Lake.

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