Bison, Antelope and a Ranch

The weather has been so nice, sunny and warm. This morning we took a 5 mile hike along the Great Salt Lake shoreline. The lake was filled with birds as far as the eye could see, just floating around and they were too far out for us to determine what kind of bird. Since it was an out-and-back hike we watched for the birds and they were all gone on the return leg! No sign of them anywhere! Very strange. During a rest stop along the trail, John was almost run over by a very long snake! No idea what kind, but once John moved his foot, the snake changed directions.

This afternoon we drove down the east coast of the island. This side has been reserved for the animals - bison, antelope, deer, etc. Very few trails into the mountains so that the bison are not disturbed by humans. We saw several large herds of bison and several prong horn antelope grazing along the shore where several of the 40 freshwater springs line the salt flats.

In 1848 the Mormon Church assigned Fielding Garr to establish a ranch on the island as a stronghold for the church’s tithing herds. The ranch has been owned by many others through its 150 year history. They’ve raised cattle and sheep on the ranch and added the bison for hunting opportunities but in the process saved them from extinction. In 1981 the ranch and island became a state park and the cattle operation was ended. Today, the ranch house is the oldest adobe structure still standing on its original foundation. Visitors are encouraged to explore the barns, spring houses, bunk house and corals to learn about ranching over the past 150 years.