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WILDLIFE ON ANTELOPE ISLAND
Perhaps the most alluring feature of Antelope Island is its unique array
of wildlife. The island is most famous for its large bison population.
The herd fluctuates between 550 and 700, making it one of the largest
publicly owned bison herds in the nation. The Antelope Island bison herd
is also recognized as one of the oldest in the country and possesses
unique genetic characteristics making it of interest to breeders.
Prior to European settlement, biologists estimate between 50 to 60
million bison roamed the continent. By the 1890s, the population had
been decimated, and it is believed only 800 remained. Conservationists,
faced with the eminent extinction of bison, began to take steps to save
the species. Two Utahns, William Glassman and John Dooly, were
instrumental in this effort. They brought bison to Antelope Island in
1893. The bison herd is managed to maintain a stock population of 550.
The bison calve primarily from March through May, and new calves balloon
the population to more than 700. Studies indicate that this is near the
maximum population of bison that the island can support without
overgrazing the grasslands. Careful management allows a large herd to
thrive while maintaining forage and nesting cover for other wildlife
species.
The bison roundup, which occurs the end of October, is one of the great
fall spectacles of northern Utah. The bison are driven to corrals on the
north end of the island by a combination of volunteer horsemen and
helicopters. Here they are allowed to rest for four days before being
worked through the corrals, vaccinated and checked for general health
the first week in November. The excess animals are sold at auction and a
small number designated for the annual bison hunt conducted by the
Division of Wildlife Resources in December. Other mammals found on the
island include, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, bobcats,
badgers, porcupines, jackrabbits and several species of rodents.
Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake attract numerous migrating and
nesting birds. Along the shoreline avocets, black-necked stilts, willets
and sanderlings can be observed. The island grasslands provide habitat
for long-billed curlews, burrowing owls, chuckars and several species of
raptors. The Great Salt Lake attracts incredible numbers of eared
grebes, Wilson's phalaropes and California gulls. The Great Salt Lake is
one of the most important natural features in in the country for
migrating birds.
 The birds are drawn here to take advantage of the large number of brine
flies and brine shrimp associated with the lake. One of the most
interesting sights on the island is to watch these beautiful birds gorge
on brine flies along the shore. The combination of abundant large
mammals located along-side of rich salt marshes provides Antelope Island
with a truly unique blend of wildlife.
PRONGHORN RETURN TO ANTELOPE ISLAND
In 1845 John C. Fremont and Kit Carson made the
first European exploration of Antelope Island. They shot two antelope
and Fremont wrote "in grateful supply of the meat they furnished, I
gave their name to the island." By the 1930's the island's namesake
had disappeared from Antelope Island. In 1993 a cooperative effort
between the Utah divisions of Wildlife Resources and the State Parks and
Recreation resulted in the reintroduction of 24 pronghorn antelope. By
the 1995 fawning season the population had nearly doubled in size. It is
hoped that predation from coyotes, bobcats, and eagles will act as
population control for the pronghorn on the island. Long term research
by Weber State University monitors the population, helps determine
critical habitat and studies behavioral traits of the species.
FIELDING GARR RANCH
Fielding Garr was quick to recognize Antelope Island's potential as
livestock range. He began construction of a ranch house in 1848. Garr
was a skilled mason and fashioned the sun-dried adobe bricks used to
build the home out of materials found on the island. The ranch house is
distinctive for two reasons; it is the oldest continually inhabited
anglo-built home in the state of Utah (from 1848 to 1981 when the island
became a state park); and second, it is the oldest anglo-built house in
Utah still on its original foundation. The Fielding Garr Ranch is opened
to the public on select weekends from March until October. Check with
the Park for dates.
ANTELOPE ISLAND HISTORY
John C. Fremont and Kit Carson made the first known visit by people of
European descent to Antelope Island in 1845. They killed several
antelope on the island thus giving Antelope Island its name.
Fielding Garr established permanent residency on the island in 1848. He
not only tended his own herds, but those of other stockmen as well. In
1849 Brigham Young asked Garr to manage the LDS Church's Tithing Herd,
which was kept on the island until 1871. The Tithing Herd was utilized
by the Perpetual Emigration Fund which was established to help needy
Mormon converts immigrate to Utah. Recipients would reimburse the fund
when circumstances would allow them to do so. Reimbursement was made in
the form of livestock, which was considered better than cash. During
this time the LDS Church also invested thousands of dollars in valuable
stallions and brood mares which were turned loose on the island.
Antelope Island was used as a base camp for a government funded survey
of the Great Salt Lake by Captain Howard Stansbury during the years of
1849-50. During the 1870's several private homesteads were established,
with George and Alice Frary staying the longest. Alice requested to be
buried on her island home, and a marker stands to commemorate her grave
site.
On February 15, 1893 , twelve head of bison were transported to Antelope
Island. John Dooly and George Frary loaded the bison into a small
sailboat and nearly capsized as they sailed to the island. The Island
Improvement Company owned most of the island from 1884 thru 1972. Cattle
and sheep were the company's primary ranching commodity, although
buffalo and horses were always on the island. In the 1930's , Antelope
Island was the largest private sheep sheering operation west of the
Mississippi. Recognizing the recreation potential of the island, the
north 2,000 acres were acquired by the state in 1969. In 1981 the state
purchased most of the rest of the island thus preserving it as a state
park for all the people to enjoy.
GREAT SALT LAKE
The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi
River. At the current level the Great Salt Lake is 75 miles long and
about 35 miles wide. Located in several wide flat basins, a slight rise
in water lever expands the surface area of the lake considerably. The
first scientific measurements were taken in 1849 and since then the lake
level has varied by 20 feet, shifting the shoreline in some places as
much as 15 miles.
Great Salt Lake is salty because it does not have an outlet. Tributary
rivers are constantly bringing in small amounts of salt dissolved in
their fresh water flow. Once in the Great Salt Lake much of the water
evaporates leaving the salt behind.
Great Salt Lake is the remnant of Lake Bonneville; a great ice age lake
that rose dramatically from a small saline lake 30,000 years ago. The
most conspicuous reminders of Lake Bonneville are the ancient terraces
etched into the landscape along the lakes formers shorelines. The
terraces were eroded by wave action and are relatively flat areas which
follow a contour line. Look south from Buffalo Point for an outstanding
view of Lake Bonneville terraces carved into the island as high as a
thousand feet above Great Salt Lake. After the ice age the earth's
climate became drier and Lake Bonneville gradually receded to form Great
Salt Lake.
Great Salt Lake is too saline to support fish and most other aquatic
species. Several types of algae live in the lake. Brine shrimp and brine
flies can tolerate the high salt content and feed on the algae. Brine
shrimp eggs are harvested commercially and are sold overseas as prawn
food. The oft maligned brine flies do not bite or land on people and are
the primary food source for many birds that migrate to the lake. For
most of the summer brine flies form a ring around the entire shoreline
and rarely venture more than a few feet from the water's edge.
Biologists have estimated their population to be over one hundred
billion.
The ever fluctuating Great Salt Lake has frustrated attempts to develop
its shoreline. As a result much of the lake is ringed by extensive
wetlands making Great Salt Lake one of the most important resources for
migrating and nesting birds.
Great Salt Lake draws people for a variety of recreational experiences
and to enjoy what John Muir called "one of the great views on the
American Continent". Bridger Bay Beach on the north end of Antelope
Island is perhaps the nicest beach on the entire lake. The beach is a
two mile long hundred yard wide expanse of white oolitic sand. Oolitic
sand is actually formed in the lake and is made up of concentric layers
of calcium carbonate (lime). Look closely at the sand, most grains are
smooth and perfectly round. Bridger Bay is where many people come to
float like a cork for you cannot sink in Great Salt Lake. To lie back
and float upon the lake with only the sound of the gulls overhead is a
unique experience unlikely to be forgotten.
ANTELOPE ISLAND TRAILS
Our trails are designed to be equally enjoyable for both the beginner
and expert trail rider. You can look forward to spectacular views of the
Great Salt Lake and surrounding areas. The trails also offer excellent
opportunities to view the island's wildlife. The backcountry trail
currently consists of 16 miles of double track traveling south from
White Rock Bay. The heart of the trail is the 9.2 mile White Rock Bay
loop. One of the three spurs off the loop travels to Beacon Knob, which
is the highest point on the trail towering 800 feet above the Great Salt
Lake.
Split Rock Bay is another spur and consists of a short climb and
dramatic descent to a pristine white sandy beach. The Elephant Head spur
leads to a dramatic overlook. Three shorter trails exist on the north
end of the island. The longest is the Lakeside Trail at three miles one
way. The trail follows the shoreline around Buffalo point and connects
White Rock Bay to Bridger Bay.
The Buffalo Point Trail is extremely popular and consists of a .5 mile
hike ascending 300 feet from the Buffalo Point overlook/parking area.
The visitor is greeted with a fantastic 360 degree view on the northern
point of the island.
The Ladyfinger Point Trail is a .25 mile long hike winding across a
rocky point to overlook both Egg Island and Bridger Bay. All three of
these scenic trails offer excellent opportunities to view the wildlife
and geology of Antelope Island.
Utah State Parks and Recreation has established a number of guidelines
designed to protect the island's wildlife and unique resources, yet
still allow trail access. Please help us protect the island by observing
all guidelines. A volunteer trail patrol has been organized for the
safety of trail users and to help us protect the islands backcountry. If
you are interested in becoming part of this effort, please contact a
ranger.
THE DAVIS COUNTY CAUSEWAY
The Davis County Causeway is a 7.25 mile earthen dike and roadway
leading from the mainland to Antelope Island. The original causeway,
constructed in 1969 by the State of Utah, was washed out frequently by
heavy wave action in the early 70's but was raised slightly and reopened
each time. By 1985 the causeway was completely under water due to the
relentless rise of the lake.
As the lake began to recede in the late 80's the causeway reemerged. It
was in poor condition and needed extensive work. Davis County officials
together with State Parks personnel lobbied the Utah State Legislature
in 1990 for funding to rebuild the causeway so that Antelope Island
State Park could again be opened to the public. Eventually the
legislature agreed to give the causeway to Davis County along with $4
million for rebuilding and repairs. Another $500,000 was appropriated in
1992 and the County rebuild the causeway in 1993 for a total cost of $5 million. Davis
County charges a $2 per vehicle toll (included in your
entrance fee) on the causeway to help pay for ongoing maintenance costs
and to set aside a fund to deal with possible future damage should the
lake rise again.
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