Frary Peak (W7U/NU-073) SOTA Activation

Frary Peak was my first activation since arriving in Utah. My brother in law had come up to visit us for the weekend. After viewing the bison on Antelope Island on a Saturday we knew we wanted to come back for a hike. Early the next morning (25 March) we headed out. Frary Peak, at 6,596 feet, can make for relatively easy winter bonus points with Summits On The Air (SOTA).

Getting There

To reach the (main) Frary Peak trail you will need to head to Antelope Island State Park. There is a $10 causeway fee to drive out to the island. Once across, take the first left towards the Fielding Garr Ranch. The turn for the Frary Peak TH is 5.2 miles from the turn, on the right. Watch out for bison along the way.

The Hike

We arrived about twenty minutes before sunrise. With rain and snow in the forecast we were the only car in the parking lot at this hour. The temperature was just above freezing as we headed up the trail. Once on the first ridge we got a better view of sunrise reflecting off of Salt Lake. We also felt the

steady westerly wind. It felt cold. I could see cloud bands to the west. They would be on top of us soon.

What I really enjoyed about this hike was the sense of hiking up and back in time. There are several vantage points where you can see evidence of the many shorelines of the ancient Bonneville Lake. Not only on the island but also along the surrounding landscape. Hiking up, back in time, through an ancient lake. It propelled me upward to be above the oldest wavetops.

Although we were relatively close to Ogden and Salt Lake City, this hike brought a sense of isolation as we climbed. The jagged outcrops. Grass-covered slopes. The path carved upward through the landscape. After an hour snow pellets began to fall. The wind began to pick up. The mountains to our west disappeared behind a wall of virga.

I knew we were reaching the final ridge towards the summit when I saw a communications tower. Likely the home to the Antelope Island amateur repeater. The snow pellets turned to actual snowflakes. They blew horizontal across the ridge as the wind raced to get around the summit. The snow did not have a chance to stick. From the tower the trail travels down to the west side of the summit for about 3/10 of mile to reach a wider ridge for which to summit. There were signs of an old, direct, route directly south along the ridge to the summit but I would not recommend it, especially in foul weather.

When we got to the summit the wind seemed to die. It was eerily quiet as the snow fell. The flakes were getting bigger. Time to set up quickly so I could get this summit on the air. I found suitable shelter under a group of cedar trees on the eastern slope off the peak. Linked dipole up and ready. I used a trash bag in my backpack as an umbrella in the tree branches in hopes to keep my gear and notebook dry. Before I could turn on my HF radio, K7UHP called me on 146.52. He had seen my APRS beacon as we trekked up the hill. After another 2-meter contact with KE7MQF, it was time to jump on 40-meters. 15 contacts in 20 minutes. I felt bad that my brother in law was just hanging out in the snow so I wrapped things up and broke down the station.

Heading Down

As soon as we crested the summit to go down the western slope of the trail the wind was back on us. Snow blew in our faces and made it hard to see. The ridge with the communications tower was even less inviting than before. The wind was really whipping. I could feel the left side of my pants getting covered in snow. Out of the white haze we saw another hiker and her dog. There was a quick exchange to give her directions to the trail and wished them well. Down please. As we quickly paced our way downhill the snow let up. After 15 minutes we were below the cloud deck. Just before reaching the car another snow band rolled over us and dropped giant, wet flakes. We passed a few more hikers on their way up, wearing… shorts..? I was glad to be back at the car and glad we had pushed to do this hike. It reignited my desire to get out and explore what Utah has to offer for Summits On The Air.

73 and safe hiking!

de KH7AL

TH sign and map.

Aarin making a snowman.