WHITE ROCK BAY LOOP (ANTELOPE ISLAND)

Rock solid hikers.

I couldn't think of a better thing to do on a fine Saturday morning and afternoon than help take a group of young men on a hike, so we loaded up in a few vehicles and drove west from the Wasatch Front and entered Antelope Island State Park.

Antelope Island State Park is close to the cities along the Wasatch Front. Within a half hours time we were unloading and preparing to hit the trail head. Our original idea was to hike 2.6 miles to the top of Beacon Knob. At the top of the knob we would raise a group flag, eat a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies, take in the views, and then hike back down. Each hiker was to carry a portion of the lunch and was responsible to bring their own water bottle with water.

I was so excited to get the group hiking that I misread the map and lead the group out into the White Rock Bay area. This trail would still lead us up to Beacon Knob, but it would add 2.5 more miles to the hike. When I realized my error, I stopped the group and asked them to vote on our options. We could continue around the loop or we could hike to the ridge below Dooley Knob and hike back out the same way. The group voted to hike the loop.

It was a perfect day. The morning chill was soon toasted away by sun peeking out through layers of high clouds. Within minutes of hiking, jackets and sweat shirts were shed and water bottles were being emptied.

I was impressed with the attitude of the younger hikers. Not one of the hikers complained about the added distance to our hike and everyone seemed to enjoy being outdoors.


Raising of the flag.

  When we made it to the top of the ridge just north of Dooley Knob we stopped for lunch. Each person placed the portion of lunch they were asked to carry on a group of flat rocks. Sandwiches were prepared and then eaten as we rested on the rocks.

The view from our lunchroom was wonderful. We could see to the east and view most of the Wasatch Front mountains from Brigham City to Salt Lake City. To the west was vast areas of the Great Salt Lake and western mountain ranges in the west desert. The White Rock bay valley we hiked through gave us a good perspective on how far we had hiked. The straw-colored valley was dotted with the visible dots of antelope which provided smiles and a realization that the island was named right.


Looking back at the Wasatch Front from Antelope Island

 

Hiking toward Beacon Knob

 As we came around the corner at the base of Beacon Knob we were met with an obstacle: a group of six bison were standing on the trail. They were in no hurry to move so we decided to leave the trail and walk around them. I have read that bison can run up to 30 miles per hour so I told everyone to give the bison plenty of room as we maneuvered behind them. We were walking out through the dry grass keeping an eye on the bison when two other people came up the trail from the opposite way. This startled two of the bison, one being a large bull. Both bison turned and started to run toward our group. We scattered down the hill with racing heartbeats! I looked back and was relived that the bison had stopped.

We hiked down through a rocky hillside and eventually picked up the trail again. The trail head where we had parked was now in sight. When we got to the trail head where we started I looked at the map again read the mileage of the White Rock Bay loop was 7.5 miles. I figured with the shortcut caused by the bison that we cut out about 1/2 mile so our complete hike was 7 miles total.


Bison

 It was such a good day for hiking, I don't think anyone in the group minded that we added the extra miles to the trip.