Antelope Island, Utah

[bruno71]

http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/Bruno71/

Ride Report: January 20th, 2008

Destination: Antelope Island, Utah (Largest Island within the Great Salt Lake.)

Total Miles Traveled: 134

Weather: Temperature was 28 degrees, but with the wind-chill felt like 18 degrees. The sky was mostly cloudy and wind was blowing from the south at 5 mph.

See pictures at:

http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/Bruno71/

I couldn’t resist taking advantage of the clear roads again today and going for another abbreviated ride since the forecast is calling for up to ten inches of snow tonight. For some reason, I got it into my head that I would be able to see some buffalo grazing in the snow and that would be a neat thing to photograph.
The Island covers over 28,022 acres and is situated just a few miles west of I-15 at exit 332, about 25 miles north of Salt Lake City. There is a several mile long causeway that provides access from the shore to the Island. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees in the open areas exposed to the wind coming in off of the lake. To my surprise, a significant portion of the lake was frozen and most of the wildlife demonstrated more common sense than I by finding a place to stay warm!
The Great Salt Lake is between 25% and 5% salinity depending on the region of the lake. It looks and smells like the ocean, complete with seagulls, but without the waves. The reason it is salty is because it does not have an outlet and as rainwater dissolves the rocks and soil, it retains the naturally occurring salt. The water evaporates out of the lake, but the salt remains. The Great Salt Lake is like the Dead Sea in that only brine shrimp and brine flies are able to live in it. Antelope Island is the largest of the lake’s ten Islands. It is home to North America’s largest publicly owned bison herd of between 550 and 700 animals. It is also home to antelope, several medium sized predators and thousands of birds. In fact, it is on the main migratory route between Canada and Mexico/South America. Over a 100 different species of birds visit or live on the island. Antelope were reintroduced to the Island in the early 1990’s after a nearly century of absence due to ranching and other forms of human interference.
The two furry brown lumps in the center of the photograph are buffalo. They almost blend in with boulders and are difficult to see at a distance. All-in-all it was a pleasant ride and I enjoyed getting out of town and enjoying some uncluttered snowy mountain vistas. Maybe next time I will be able to get a little closer to the buffalo!

-Bruno71

[DJ Downunder]

Thanks bruno71...Great pictures..and nice looking Rock...but jeeez...brrrrr...It looks too cold to be out riding..

DJ

[DSKYZD]

Cool ride, in more ways than one.

I had the chance to visit Antelope Island a couple of years ago but I wasn't on the bike. Neat place. If i can dig up any pics I'll post them.

DSKYZD

[Sunbeemer]

There's something I don't get to see - - Snow! Cooooool!

[GypsyRR]

Cool picture of your bike against the vast blank background behind it. Thanks for the report. I can't wait to see some of the roads you ride in the summer. Find some good ones for us.

[Boxer]

Nice pics. It, however, looks like there may not have been any deer playing with the antelopes there in a long time.

[tobes]

Nice photos. Ohhhh that looks cold! Were you running electrics?

[bruno71]

It was a bit coolish but not painful. I used a Aerostich electric vest, BMW balaclava and Olympia Phantom one piece to ward of the frostbite. With that set up, I can handle almost any weather for around 4 or so hours. If I get the chance, I write up a review for the Olympia Phantom and other bits. The day following the ride, we received between 14-20 inches of snow. I don't do ice, so I won't be out again until the roads clear up substantially.

-Bruno

[sweatmark]

Hi Bruno-

Nice ride in nasty weather! Utah looked snowy today when viewed from 36,000 feet.

I've sketched out a 2000mile/48hour Iron Butt ride for sometime this year, probably late summer. Will loop from Oregon to SLC, over to West Wendover, down to Ely, NV, across Hwy50, to Sacramento, then back to start. Interested in joining the craziness at SLC?

Mark
Oregon

[DSKYZD]

Finally dug these up from March 2005. Rotten date stamps!!!







Most pics are on page four:

http://dskyzd.smugmug.com/gallery/4228254#P-4-30

[boxermania]

Nice pics.....Brrrrr......I had to turn the heater own just to see them...