Eagles at Bear Lake, Utah

Yellowstone and Beyond: from the Great Salt Lake to Bear Lake

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Saturday, May 5, Antilope Island to Bear Lake, Laketown, Utah.

Eagle’s Nest at BearLake

Fleeing the biting insects on the Island, the drive from Brigham City to Logan on HW 89, and following the city of Logan through the Logan Canyon to Garden City, Bear Lake, both were very scenic and spectacular. To reach Logan, we climbed up to a moderate pass through rolling green hills w cows grazing on fresh greens. I stopped on Main Street at the Mormon Tabernacle, and Nikki and I walked around to the courthouse built in 1880. Beautiful gardens surrounded both monuments. Main Street was lined with old brick buildings stemming from the late 18 hundreds.

Leaving Logan, the canyon drive was dramatic following the Logan river and canyon, and then climbing up to a high pass at 7500 ft. It was a slow and steady ascent eventually leaving the forest behind and seeing high grassy areas still under some snow. The overlook at the summit offered a great view of Bear Lake below, one of the biggest high altitude Lakes, reminiscence of Lake Tahoe. Surrounded by meadows and cow pasture, it offered an idyllic view.

Nikki and I paused and had lunch on a picnic table enjoying the view.

The descend was steep and short reminded me of Kingsbury grade on the eastern side of the Sierra - also a steep and short drop into the Minden Valley.

From Garden City, elevation 6000 ft, we drove around the lake to the southern tip with the road following the lakeshore lined with summer houses, boat slips and all indication that this is the summer escape for the greater Salt Lake City area. Spring had arrived, trees were spouting their first greens and the meadows were dotted with yellow dandelions.

Bear Lake, at an elevation of 6000ft.

We stopped at the Bear Lake rendezvous Beach, part of the Bear Lake State Park, at a well groomed and green campground were we easily found 4 campsites side by side, even on a Saturday afternoon. The dogs enjoyed the grassy areas for their run, the sun had warmed up and sitting outside at the lake was pleasant.

Spring flowers at the campground and Nikki enjoying the sun

Adjacent to the campground is a cow pasture and we heard the moowing all through the evening. I guess the crowd was hungry? Next morning early, when a tractor showed up with hay balls, the whole herd followed awaiting the new food eagerly!

The feeding of the hungry!

As I walked Nikki, I learned from another camper that there is an eagle’s nest in the yet unopened part of the park. Geared up with my long lens, I had to explore and found the nest easily. Two eaglets had already hatched and the stronger one was flapping and exercising its wings under the watchful eye of one parent. The other parent was on a tree overlooking the lake searching for the next meal. That evening and next morning I spent time with the eagle family and was rewarded by capturing some great images.

 

A very active little eaglet. Typically, when birds eliminate it is a signal that they will fly away.
Not so this little one, its wings are just not big enough!!

Traveling with three friends, we enjoyed the evenings together in one of the bigger RVs and our dinners followed by occasional card games brought laughter and some card challenges.

Sunday, May 6, Bear Lake (2nd night)

Sandhill Cranes migrating North

The day was sunny and bright and all four of us piled into Jackie's rig with the 4 dogs and went on a ride around Bear Lake. The northern tip of the lake presents an extended marsh land and is designated as Wildlife Refuge for migrating birds. Only 1 Sandhill crane remained among the many Canada geese. The migratory travelers had already started on their long journey north.

At the North end of Bear Lake, we visited Montpelier, an old town on the Mormon and California Trails. The town had built an impressive history museum and small theater with a gift shop, staffed by friendly people in historic costumes!

Montpellier Museum

A painting gallery held many scenes of the historic migration of thousands of settlers in the mid 1800, depicting the hardship of the 1000+ mile journey overland from the East into the unknown. All through Nevada and Utah, we had come across of reminders of the tremendous achievement of men, women and children, oxen and horses that followed the call to the West and the lure of gold and paradise in California. Many embarked on the journey, but many also never reached the Promised Land. On my journey I will see many other places that these forefathers that tracked through on their journey West - for me on my journey East.

... and the journey will continue, next stop The Grand Tetons National Park.

Til then,

Meggi and Nikki