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Farmington Bay Wetlands Trail
The Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area offers some
easy cruising on dikes within the wetlands. The "Short Loop" at the south end is perfect for
a family with pre-teen children -- the trail is absolutely flat and
straight, the surface is smooth for easy riding, there's plenty of little
ponds filled with birds, and the distance (6.3 miles total) is bearable
for younger legs. The short loop is closed to cars.
Looking northeast from the trail.
Photos November 21, 2001.
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Note: The area is open August 1 through February 28
for bike and foot traffic, from 8 am to 5 pm. Only the northern entrance (to
Goose Egg Island), down to the parking area at the 4-way dike intersection (see
map) is open year round. The southern loop is closed from 3/1 to 7/31 to
allow bird nesting. Dogs are allowed only September 25 to Feb 28.
| The trail follows the top of dikes within the wetlands area.
The dikes are broad and straight, with cindered doubletrack roadway.
There's no altitude gain at all. The riding surface is smooth enough for
tiny wheels.
Typical section of pathway -- straight
and smooth. |
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| Along the path, ponds alternate with pampas grass, cattail, bulrush,
and sedges. In the ponds, you'll spot ducks, grebes, coots, seagulls,
ibis, pelicans, and herons. Hawks and crows are also frequent, plus an
assortment of smaller birds. Bring your binoculars for some excellent
bird-spotting. (During duck season -- October to December -- the birds
will be shy.)
During August and early September, the air will be thick with
insects. Bring insect repellant. Not all of the bugs will bite you, but
it's easy to suck in a mouthful of them. So if you plan to do some heavy
breathing, you might bring a bandana to cover your mouth. |
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The trail has been cindered, so the surface is good for riding in rain
or snow. This is an all-season trail.
Riders who are looking for distance can ride west into
the Great Salt Lake and/or complete the larger loop. This is a good winter
ride for snow bikers.
Pampas grass sets seed in the November
air.
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| At the far north end, near the gate, there's heavy growth of
puncture weed (goatheads) on the side and middle of the trail. Staying in
the middle of the wheel-track avoids most of them, but be sure to bring a
patch kit. If you're doing the big loop, I recommend you install a tire
liner or puncture-proof tube for this ride. (I didn't see any puncture
weeds on the short loop or the Great Salt Lake dike.)
Looking northwest towards Antelope
Island in the Great Salt Lake, a sandbar separates us from the main body
of the lake.
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Short Loop Riding notes:
0.0 At the parking area, trail starts on your left at the gate
0.4 Fork (N 40° 54.67' W 111° 55.43'), turn left to go west
3.0 Gate, 4-way dike intersection (N 40° 55.88' W
111° 56.83')
Go right
4.9 Fork (N 40° 55.28' W 111° 54.80') right (south)
5.9 Back at first fork, go straight
6.3 At parking area Jackie
pauses on the edge of the water. Your family dog is welcome here after
September 25, as long
as he's trained well enough to leave the waterfowl alone. |
West Dike:
Turn left (west) at mile 3.0 (see above). The dike will veer slightly
south after the first mile. At mile 7.2, it turns back to shore bearing
southeast. (This is where I turned around because my dog was tired.
I'm informed the dike ends in thick marsh, with some fields to hike-a-bike
before reaching some ranch roads in North Salt Lake.)
Big Loop Riding notes:
0.0 At the parking area, trail starts on your left at the gate
0.4 Fork, turn left to go west
3.0 Gate and 4-way dike intersection, go straight
5.0 Trail turns east
6.0 Intersection with gravel road, continue straight
7.0 Gravel road goes left, continue straight
8.8 Dike trail on right, keep left
9.8 Back at first fork, go straight
10.2 At parking area
A heron prowls for fish.
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Getting there: From I-15, take the 400 North (West
Bountiful) exit and turn west (away from the mountains). A short bit after
turning off the freeway, turn right (north) at the first stop sign onto
800 West. Drive north to the next stop sign, turning left (west) on 1600
North. When the road veers right, go across the bridge then immediately
turn left on the dirt road. Drive 1 mile to the parking area. GPS N 40°
54.470' W 111° 55.835'. (If you turn
before the bridge, you'll wind up at the boat launch. That's OK -- park
and walk your bike over the canal to the adjacent road and ride 0.5 mile
west to the parking area.) |
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To enter the north end of the wetlands, get onto the frontage
road that runs along the east side of the freeway between Farmington and
Centerville. Turn west onto Glover's Lane and go over the freeway. Turn south on
gravel road to reach the north end of the loop. Turn right (the gate on the left
is usually locked). You'll be able to drive as far as the 4-way intersection of
the Great Salt Lake dike with the Short Loop.
Note: The area is open August 1
through February 28 for bike and foot traffic, from 8 am to 5 pm. Only the
northern entrance (to Goose Egg Island), down to the parking area at the 4-way
dike intersection (see map) is open year round. The southern loop is closed
from 3/1 to 7/31 to allow bird nesting. Dogs are allowed only September 25
to Feb 28. Check the government's
Farmington Bay web page for any changes.
Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc
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