This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Antelope Island State Park • On a frigid late December afternoon when the sun played tag with the clouds, the icy mud flats southeast of Antelope Island look like a changing mosaic of modern art.
This is the quiet season on the Great Salt Lake's largest island, where only a hearty few make the drive west of Layton that ends in a world far from the hustle and bustle of the Wasatch Front.
Bison, some with snouts covered with snow, foraged for food under a coating of new snow. A lone raven stood on top of an unused picnic shelter.
A herd of mule deer, some with huge antlers, grazed quietly near the eastern road, which ended at at empty parking lot near the historic Fielding Garr Ranch.
Only a few visitors toured the island on this winter day.
Leah Pennington and Paula Krebs of Kaysville came to the lonely place to enjoy a few hours of snowshoeing on the fresh fallen snow. Though she lives nearby, this was Krebs' first time on the island.
"It's cold and it's beautiful," she said, summing up the day quite nicely if the word "quiet" can be added to the mix.
Two groups of duck hunters left their boat trailers and trucks parked near the marina.
New Yorkers Jeff Stevens and Nikki Warren seemed almost giddy as they completed a hike up Buffalo Point.
"I've been out here once," said Stevens. "It was just cool. There are great views and a lot of different things here."
"We had a nice hike up," added Warren. "The fun thing is the views you get. It was awesome."
At the entrance gate, Susan Parker collects the $10 per car fee from visitors and offers bits of advice on what to see and do. She said she often sees more foreign visitors than locals. It is obvious that winter might be her favorite season of the year at the island.
"There are no bugs," she said. "The animals are freely roaming. People are not in a hurry. It is peaceful out here ... We see more wildlife photographers coming out. There is snowshoeing and horseback riding. We don't normally get a lot of snow."
One thing that does surprise is the number of winter campers. Though there are none on this day, Parker said the island is a popular winter destination, especially for scout troops.
And, surprisingly, New Year's Day is a popular time at Antelope Island, often one of the busiest days of winter.
"People want to experience sunrise and sunset on the first day of the year," explained Parker.
There is some open water on the west side of the island, where the salty Great Salt Lake doesn't freeze. It reflects the winter sun in ways that make photographers swoon.
The occasional bald eagle and owl can be viewed, making the island a popular destination for photographers, who also enjoy getting shots of bison, deer, antelope and the occasional coyote that can be more easily seen in this white wonderland.
Some facilities such as the Buffalo Grill and rentals for horses and boats are not available in the winter. It's not a bad idea to bring a Thermos full of hot coffee and a snack or two if you plan to stay for more than a few hours.
Those who often visit the 28,022-acre park know that it offers different experiences throughout the year. Some days you might see certain types of wildlife, blue skies and sunshine. Other times visitors buck biting winds, snow and steel gray skies.
But the wildness of the place aways remains, a reminder that there remain places close to home that can be wild and silent on a cold winter's day.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Winter on Antelope Island
• Antelope Island is open from sunrise to sunset.
• The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on New Year's Day. It is wheelchair accessible and provides exhibits, publications, a gift shop and rest rooms.
• The historic Fielding Garr Ranch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on New Years Day, and provides a look at Utah's oldest Anglo-built structure still standing on its existing foundation. Exhibits and activities are available.
• Antelope Island State Park is located approximately 41 miles north of Salt Lake City. Take Exit 332 off Interstate 15, then drive west on Antelope Drive to the park entrance gate.