South Island Trail - Antelope Island
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SOUTH ISLAND TRAIL - ANTELOPE ISLAND Rating: Moderate Hike Length: 3-4 hours (8 miles / 11.2 miles in the winter) Gear: Standard Hiking Gear Water: None. Season: Late fall, winter, early spring Waypoints: Winter Trailhead 12T 401547mE 4531329mN N40° 55' 38" W112° 10' 10" Trailhead 12T 401236mE 4528926mN N40° 54' 20" W112° 10' 22" Jct - Left 12T 401119mE 4524245mN N40° 51' 48" W112° 10' 24" Hype The South Island Trail seems less popular than the trails on the west side of the island, or the Frary Peak Trail, but is one of my favorites. Visiting the trail at sunrise on a cold winter day can be magic! The trail follows a dirt road as it ambles south on the east side of the island to Unicorn Point at the very southern tip of Antelope Island. Compared to the other trails I have visited on the island; this one also had the most wildlife. Maybe it was the day, or maybe the animals prefer the quiet east side. I counted 7 coyotes and dozens of buffalo on a cold winter morning along the trail. Note: The trail is 8 miles round trip, except when it isn’t! In winter, the road is closed at Fielding Garr Ranch, adding 3.2 miles and bumping up the round-trip distance to 11.2 miles. Season: I recommend this trail in late fall, winter, or early spring. Bugs and heat can be oppressive during the warmer times of the year. Tags: hike, dog friendly, family friendly, beginner, access: paved Trailhead The trailhead is reach by first getting to Antelope Island. This is off I-15, west of Layton. Take exit 332 off I-15, and head west on Antelope Drive. About 7 miles from the freeway is the entrance to the park. South Island Trail - Antelope Island - Road Trip Ryan, LLC - Copyright 2006-2021 1 / 3 From the entrance to the park, cross the causeway and go left at the first junction after the causeway. Shortly after take the next left, staying on Antelope Road that is signed for Frary Peak. Follow this paved road about 12 miles to the end of the road and small parking area for the South Island Trail. Note: In the winter, the road is closed at the Fielding Garr Ranch, and requires an additional 1.6 mile hike each way to get to the trailhead. Route From the trailhead, follow the dirt road that is closed to all but authorized vehicles south. The has a few gentle ups and downs, but is generally flat. The spine of Antelope Island is to the west while the Wasatch range looms to the east. Three miles from the summer trailhead (4.6 from the Fielding Garr Ranch Trailhead) is the only junction on the trail. The road splits, with the left road going east onto the mud flats. Stay right here, continuing an additional mile to the end of the road at the southern tip of Antelope Island, Unicorn Point. The end of the trail has good views south of the Oquirrh Mountains, and of the Stansbury Mountains and Stansbury Island to the west. Return the same way. South Island Trail - Antelope Island - Road Trip Ryan, LLC - Copyright 2006-2021 2 / 3 South Island Trail - Antelope Island - Road Trip Ryan, LLC - Copyright 2006-2021 3 / 3.