Although I've lived in this area my entire life, I haven't known very much about our capitol's namesake: the Great Salt Lake. This landmark and it's islands provide amazing scenery and many recreational activities. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Utah. The lake is actually remnants of what used to be Lake Bonneville, one of the largest lakes in the nation at that time. Today, the Great Salt Lake is the largest lake between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, and is the largest saltwater body in the Western Hemisphere.
Antelope Island State Park is located on the lakes largest island, accessible by either boat or car via causeway. Recreational activities available here include a variety of hiking, biking, sailing, kayaking, camping, picnicking, or simply swimming and sunbathing on the beaches available. The salinity here is 12%, much saltier than the ocean. This makes it possible for swimmers to actually float without support in the lake water!
Another interesting component of the Great Salt Lake is Robert Smithson's monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty, made in 1970. Using black basalt rocks and earth from the site, the artist created a coil 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide that stretches out counter-clockwise into the lake's water (see picture below).
Personally I think that many locals tak
e this amazing water form for granted and don't utilize the many features it offers. Not only does it have such a strong presence in our state's history, but it still exists today as a local retreat to nature. Residents of Utah ought to help promote the lake's presence and help protect it's many unique features.
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