Antelope Island: Frary Homestead

 The Frary Homestead is a historic site on Antelope island. Not much of it remains anymore aside from a small grave and some bits of debris, but there is some historical information and it’s pretty. We have done this one before, but it has been a few years.

Quick Details:

Length: About a mile balloon.
Trail Type: Balloon
Difficulty: There is definitely an incline but it is pretty gradual. DR3
Elevation Gain: About 200 feet.
Restroom: No. Closet ones would be to the south a Fielding Garr Ranch or a few options on the north side of the island. I am pretty sure there are pit toilets near the Frary Peak Trailhead as well, but it is not listed on the map.
Dogs? Yes, Leashed.
Other Info: There is absolutely NO shade on this trail. So not a great option on a hot day. Also fee area. $15.00 causeway fee.

To Get Here:

From where the causeway joins the island go left and head about 8.2 miles to the south. Turn right onto the signed dirt road and continue about 3/10th of a mile to the parking lot at the end. The dirt road can be a little bumpy but most cars should be fine.

Heading up the dirt road (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

The Trail:

Looking across the lake.

The trail starts through this little gate heading west.

The site is almost directly below Frary Peak.

Looking back east.

Panoramic.

Dooley Knob to the left. A neat unnamed formation (middle) and Beacon Knob (right).

Little bird making a lot of noise. I am leaning towards a western kingbird, but I am not quite sure.

I swear I saw the name of this peak at some point but I can’t remember what it was.

There is water flowing down the creek bed this time.

A couple of bison in the distance.

The stream again. I know there is a spring above cause they had a spring house.

The Frary’s lived here from 1891 to 1902.

The general area.

Dooley Knob and Beacon Knob.

There is this weird corral thingy around the gravesite. I imagine to keep the bison out.

Monument to the Frary’s.

Alice Frarys grave. Her desire was to be buried on the island.

Closer look at the plaque.

Frary Peak.

Food for the homestead.

Our home so dear.

When the Frary’s left, they took only the basics. Time took the structures they built. There are a few remnants remaining to find.

The little stream again.

Like I said the little stream comes from s spring a little further up. The Frary’s eventually piped it down to the house for convenience and they had their own springhouse similar to the one we saw at Fielding Garr Ranch. Springhouses acted like refrigerators before electricity. There is a remaining spring house on the island over at Fielding Garr Ranch. 

Island Adventures.

The family would hike the nearby canyons, and up to Frary Peak. They would swim and float in the lake and go sailing to keep themselves entertained.

The site below Frary Peak.

Heading back down.

Panoramic. From Ogden to Bountiful.

Little bit of reflection.

Continuing down.

Another panoramic.

The western kingbird again.

Back down to the parking lot.

Heading back down the dirt road (PSP).

Well that was a nice quick trail. Not a whole lot to it besides some historical information and a grave, but it does have some nice views and isn’t a busy trail. 7 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it is a mild climb and is pretty short. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, but must remain leashed.