Frary Peak Trail

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.