Hike Frary Peak Trail on Antelope Island
Davis County, Utah
Details
Distance
6.4 miles
Elevation Gain
2030 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Brandon Hentkowski
Sublime hike to the top of Antelope Island with great opportunities to photograph and relax among the unique scenic backdrop of The Great Salt Lake and multiple species of wildlife.
The Frary peak trail is the highest point of Antelope Island and can be found a short drive off of I-15 north on Antelope Drive near Layton. There is a fee to access the island, but well worth it. When you get to the island, head left along the east side of the island toward Fielding Garr Ranch. The Frary Peak trailhead is ~5 miles down the road, with plenty of signs to guide the way. You will turn right onto a dirt road and travel to an upper level of the island for the trailhead.
The trailhead is a big gravel lot with two trails located at the base near the south side. Take the upper trail to the right. There is some good incline to start the hike, but does flattens out about .5 mile up. At this point you will hit the Dooly Knob junction. The right fork heads to the other side of the island, but your journey will take you on the left fork.
A mile in is where I was able to see 2 different buffalo, one of which was right off the trail. Take caution when trying to photograph these animals as buffalo can be aggressive and charge you. At 1.3 miles the trail passes under a set of boulders/cave, which is a nice change of pace and provides some shade on a hot day. From here you will have steady incline with switchbacks until you hit the next ridge. Here it again flattens out for more photograph opportunities, before another small incline that takes you to a great outlook of the surrounding area. At about 2.7 miles in you will arrive at another ridge for views of The Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Front.
At the top there are a couple radio towers. From here Frary peak is only about another .5 mile in. There are 2 trails to the top and I took the left route, which was a little rocky and would recommend the right trail for beginners. This peak offers a scenic backdrop unlike anything else you will probably see in the Intermountain West with islands and mountains that make you feel like you were transported to another time and place.
***Note: Advise that hikers attempt this trail in the late fall/early winter or late winter/early spring, with bugs and heat being unbearable at times during other seasons.
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Hike Frary Peak Trail on Antelope Island Reviews
When most of the Wasatch Front is covered in snow, Frary Peak is one of the first places to clear. In early spring, the grass is emerald green making you wonder if you're hiking the highlands of Scotland.
5.0
This is a challenging hike so know your fitness, but the reward is great, with 360 degree views at the top, and gorgeous scenery along the entire hike. The back country of Antelope Island is gorgeous. At times you'd think you were in New Zealand, or even Africa! So different than down by the water and it's worth the effort to visit. There are several stops and lookout points along the Frary Peak trail, so even if you can't go the whole way, you will get beautiful views of White Rock Bay, and the surrounding mountains to the West and East. In Spring, the wildflowers along this trail are quite beautiful, and there are some cool, old junipers after the Radio Tower. This is an exposed hike, and it is best done in early Spring or Fall, although it's also fun in Winter!
5.0
Started this hike early one morning and was back down by around lunch. It has a bit of everything: challenge, views, valleys, scrambling, and wildlife. Saw a bighorn sheep scoot down the ridge like nothing. But the best part was coming around a turn and being face to face with a Buffalo. Those things are amazing and terrifying! Good hike if your in the SLC area.
5.0
I am traveling the country with my dog and we camped a few nights in Antelope State Park. This hike will KICK YOUR BUTT, but the views at the top will leave you with the best reward. Also, no bugs in November and the weather was perfect.
5.0
this hike is awesome, yes it hurts and is very long, but the view you get from the top is stunning. I would say try to do it earlier in the day, I went in the afternoon and it got pretty hot out in the sun. I love this hike though, I recommend it if you want to get in some good exercise with a killer view at the end :)
5.0
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