A Trip to the Lake
While in Salt Lake City, Utah, this past summer/fall I wanted to see the Great Salt Lake as well as capture some photos before (as some suggest) it shrinks away. Another goal was to photograph some of Lake Bonneville's (the Great Salt Lake's ancestor) shorelines easily seen lining the surrounding mountains. A wonderful place to view the Great Salt Lake, as well as Lake Bonneville shorelines, is Antelope Island State Park. Mary and I drove through the park last October, saw the lake, saw some shorelines, and got close to a few buffalo. To get to Antelope Island, take the Antelope Drive exit off of I-15 in Layton, Utah, and drive west. You can't miss it.
This view (above) is northwest from Antelope Island's Ladyfinger Trail head. Rabbit brush and sagebrush set off a wide beach. In the distance is Fremont Island and the mountains of Promontory Point. Even at the lake's currently reduced level, there is a lot of water out there.
This view is southeast across White Rock Bay from Buffalo Point. The photo shows the expanse of water in fall of 2023. Unfortunately, it also shows large salt flats exposed by Salt Lake's retreat from its 'historic' modern shore..
Elephant HeadWhite Rock Bay from the Buffalo Point Parking Area. Antelope Island State Park, Utah. October 1, 2023
Lake Bonneville ShorelinesLake Bonneville shorelines viewed from the Buffalo Point Parking Area. Antelope Island State Park, Utah. October 1, 2023
A south view across White Rock Bay towards Elephant Head (above) also shows salt flats exposed by the lake's low level as well as numerous Lake Bonneville shore lines on the distant hills. According to Inkenbrandt (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/
f5011189bdc94545b9231d56e4ffc1e4) Lake Bonneville, at its maximum, completely covered Elephant Head and only the highest peak was exposed when the lake fell back to the Provo level.
The highest set of flattish 'sculpted benches (right - near the highest peak is probably the 'Provo' shore - cut after the lake had reached its highest level and was spilling northward into Idaho. Numerous benches below the Provo level were cut as the lake level fell.
Our final photo (below) is of the east side of Antelope Island near the Frary Homestead. The highest bench up against the triangular shadowed hillsides is the Bonneville shore. The Provo level cuts through the middle ground just below some rocky outcrops. Many minor shorelines stand out in the partially backlit scene.
BeachesLake Bonneville strand lines at Antelope Island State Park, Utah. October 1, 2023.
Even though this blog post does not highlight a Montana location, the Lake Bonneville shorelines (and the Great Salt Lake) are of geologic and historic significance. Mary and I enjoyed our trip to Antelope Island and I got some good photographs of the lake and its historic shorelines.
Until next time.
Thomas Patton
