Farmington Bay: Old Upland Trail Turned Service Road

 This short service road connects the Farmington Bay Dike Road to the Eccles Wildlife Center. AKA the George S and Dolores Dore Eccles Wildlife Education Center but that is a mouthful. Anyway, this trail used to be called The Upland Trail. but since the Wildlife Center was rebuilt it looks like it has been turned into a service road and has been removed from their trail maps. However, the trail is still there and appears to have even been improved, plus I did not see any signs saying it is closed, so we thought we would check it out again. While we were out exploring Farmington Bay today.

The back of the Eccles Wildlife Center.

One of many Northern Harries along the way.

Quick Details:

Length: It is about 7/10ths of a mile out and back.
Trail Type: Out and back, connector.
Difficulty: It’s pretty flat and like paved. DR3.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: Yes there are restrooms at the Wildlife Center.
Dogs? Seasonal, leashed Sept 16th to February 29th.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

This is located behind the Eccles Wildlife Center formerly called The Great Salt Lake Nature Center You will want to take exit 322 in Farmington. Immediate take the first right on to the frontage rd. Then take the first right onto Glovers Ln and head over i15. Go about 1.4 miles and turn left on 1325 west. If you hit the Wildlife Center you went too far.

Follow the Dike Road for about 1.2 miles to the large parking lot on the left just before Goose Egg Island. It can also be accessed from the other end by going through to the backside of the Eccles Nature Center.

The Trail:

So last time we did this trail we did it from the Wildlife Center. Today we did it from the Dike Road.

The first thing I noticed as I stepped out of the car was a kestrel hunting.

Little bridge over Farmington Creek.

The creek.

This trail used to be a double track jeep trail, but they have filled it in.

A northern harrier.

Little closer.

The back of the Wildlife Center.

The trail and the radio tower.

Another northern harrier.

Another.

Looking back at Goose Egg Island.

Another northern harrier. Man they are all over here today. I love watching hem hunt.

Goose Egg Island again.

Sun rays.

The trail again.

Stream.

A male northern harrier. Unlike the females and juveniles that are rust colored, males are grey.

Getting closer to the Wildlife Center. As you can see there are quite a few DWR service trucks up there which is what lead me to believe this is now a service road.

A great blue heron.

The great blue heron nesting poles.

Another northern harrier.

Taking off.

They really are fun to watch hunting.

The great blue heron nesting poles again.

We made it to the Wildlife Center. 

Dedication plaque.

Well the Wildlife Center was not open today so we decided to just head on back.

Goose Egg Island.

The trail heading back.

Again.

Another northern harrier.

Goose Egg Island again.

Antelope Island out west.

Another northern harrier.

The trail again.

Bunch of birds in a tree. Not sure what they are.

Farmington Creek again.

Looking back towards the Wildlife Center.

Well, there isn’t much to it, other than a bunch of Northern Harriers, but it was a nice short little trail. We did want something a little shorter today, so that worked out. Plus it wasn’t very busy. 7 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it is pretty flat and hard packed dirt. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, leashed Sept 16th to February 29th. Otherwise they are not allowed.